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Atomically precise construction of uniform single-molecule junctions for molecular electronics

Author

Listed:
  • Mingyao Li

    (Peking University
    Peking University)

  • Bing Yin

    (Peking University)

  • Boyu Wang

    (Nankai University)

  • Weilin Hu

    (Peking University)

  • Jie Cheng

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Chunyan Gao

    (Nankai University)

  • Zezhou Li

    (Peking University)

  • Yang Xu

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Chen Yang

    (Peking University)

  • Xinmiao Xie

    (Peking University)

  • Jie Guo

    (Nankai University)

  • Cong Zhao

    (Nankai University)

  • Jinying Wang

    (Nankai University)

  • Xike Gao

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Yanfeng Zhang

    (Peking University)

  • Jihan Zhou

    (Peking University)

  • Zhiheng Yang

    (Peking University)

  • Agostino Migliore

    (Via Marzolo 1)

  • Chuancheng Jia

    (Nankai University)

  • Xuefeng Guo

    (Peking University
    Nankai University)

Abstract

Atomically precise construction of ultra-small electronic devices meets the urgent need for further device miniaturisation and enables numerous electronic applications. In particular, single-molecule junctions are attractive because they serve as platforms for studying fundamental scientific laws at the single-molecule level and can be used to build functional devices. Here, we present a robust methodology using anisotropic hydrogen plasma etching of graphene and in situ Friedel-Crafts acylation reaction to construct, with atomic precision, uniform covalently bonded graphene-molecule-graphene (GMG) single-molecule junctions with clear zigzag graphene edges. Applying the methodology to an azulene-type molecule, stable GMG single-molecule junctions are constructed with high yield (~82%) and high uniformity (~1.56% conductance variance over 60 devices). The reliability of the platform is shown via real-time and direct electrical monitoring of the three-level conductance fluctuation of an individual azulene molecule. This work demonstrates a universal single-molecule platform that offers countless opportunities to reveal intrinsic molecular properties and build high-performance functional molecular nanocircuits.

Suggested Citation

  • Mingyao Li & Bing Yin & Boyu Wang & Weilin Hu & Jie Cheng & Chunyan Gao & Zezhou Li & Yang Xu & Chen Yang & Xinmiao Xie & Jie Guo & Cong Zhao & Jinying Wang & Xike Gao & Yanfeng Zhang & Jihan Zhou & Z, 2025. "Atomically precise construction of uniform single-molecule junctions for molecular electronics," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-63113-x
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-63113-x
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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