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Conformation-based signal transfer and processing at the single-molecule level

Nature Nanotechnology volume 12, pages 1071–1076 (2017)Cite this article

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Abstract

Building electronic components made of individual molecules is a promising strategy for the miniaturization and integration of electronic devices. However, the practical realization of molecular devices and circuits for signal transmission and processing at room temperature has proven challenging. Here, we present room-temperature intermolecular signal transfer and processing using SnCl2Pc molecules on a Cu(100) surface. The in-plane orientations of the molecules are effectively coupled via intermolecular interaction and serve as the information carrier. In the coupled molecular arrays, the signal can be transferred from one molecule to another in the in-plane direction along predesigned routes and processed to realize logical operations. These phenomena enable the use of molecules displaying intrinsic bistable states as complex molecular devices and circuits with novel functions.

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Figure 1: The orientation of a molecule was affected by its neighbouring molecules.
Figure 2: Molecular domino effects and information carrier process.
Figure 3: Molecular logic gate consisting of four molecules.
Figure 4: Single-molecule flipping between two states at high frequency due to a special molecular configuration.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported financially by the Natural Science Foundation of China (grants 61474059, U1432129 and 11504158) and the National Key Basic Research Program of China (2013CB934200).

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  1. Chao Li and Zhongping Wang: These authors contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China

    Chao Li, Zhongping Wang, Yan Lu, Xiaoqing Liu & Li Wang

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  1. Chao Li
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  2. Zhongping Wang
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  3. Yan Lu
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  4. Xiaoqing Liu
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  5. Li Wang
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Contributions

L.W. conceived and designed the experiment, discussed and analysed data, and wrote the manuscript. C.L. and Z.W. performed sample preparation and STM. C.L., Z.W., Y.L. and X.L. analysed the data. Y.L. performed the DFT calculations and theoretical analyses. All authors discussed the results and commented on the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Li Wang.

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Li, C., Wang, Z., Lu, Y. et al. Conformation-based signal transfer and processing at the single-molecule level. Nature Nanotech 12, 1071–1076 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/nnano.2017.179

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