Single-Molecule Charge Transport Modulation Induced by Steric Effects of Side Alkyl Chains

Jiang, Wenlin and Tan, Zhibing and Almughathawi, Renad and Wu, Qingqing and Liu, Zitong and Liu, Junyang and Hou, Songjun and Zhang, Guanxin and Lambert, Colin and Hong, Wenjing and Zhang, Deqing (2021) Single-Molecule Charge Transport Modulation Induced by Steric Effects of Side Alkyl Chains. ChemPhysChem, 22 (24). pp. 2573-2578. ISSN 1439-4235

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Abstract

Experimental investigation of the side chain effects on intramolecular charge transport in π-conjugated molecules is essential, but remains challenging. Herein, the dependence of intra-molecular conductance on the nature of branching alkyl chains is investigated through a combination of the scanning tunneling microscope break junction (STM-BJ) technique and density functional theory. Three thiophene-flanked diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP) derivatives with different branching alkyl chains (isopentane, 3-methylheptane , and 9-methylnonadecane) are used with phenylthiomethyl groups as the anchoring groups. The results of single-molecule conductance measurements show that as the alkyl chain becomes longer, the torsional angles between the aromatic rings increase due to steric crowding, and therefore, the molecular conductance of DPP decreases due to reduction in conjugation. Both theoretical simulations and 1 H NMR spectra demonstrate that the planarity of the DPPs is directly reduced after introducing longer branching alkyl chains, which leads to the reduced conductance. This work indicates that the effect of insulating side chain on single-molecule conductance cannot be neglected, which should be considered for the design of future organic semiconducting materials.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
ChemPhysChem
Additional Information:
This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: W. Jiang, Z. Tan, R. Almughathawi, Q. Wu, Z. Liu, J. Liu, S. Hou, G. Zhang, C. J. Lambert, W. Hong, D. Zhang, ChemPhysChem 2021, 22, 2573 which has been published in final form at https://chemistry-europe.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cphc.202100634 This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance With Wiley Terms and Conditions for self-archiving.
Uncontrolled Keywords:
/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/1600/1606
Subjects:
?? ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS, AND OPTICSPHYSICAL AND THEORETICAL CHEMISTRY ??
ID Code:
160665
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
12 Oct 2021 08:55
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
18 Oct 2023 01:33