An Au25-R single-molecule tidal diode induced by the asymmetrical coupling

As a basic electronic component, the diode has drawn much attention in single-molecule electronics. However, the single-molecule diode is limited to the conventional diode mode, switching to on with a forward voltage and to off whenever an opposite voltage is applied. We report on a paradigm for designing a single-molecule tidal diode, which enables gate-controlled reversible rectifying behavior. In the Au-25-R single-molecule transistors constructed by us, we observed clear rectification and achieved an electrically controllable reversible diode effect. The backward rectification ratio reached the maximum value of 30 at a negative bias voltage of -30 mV, while the forward rectification ratio was slightly smaller. We used an asymmetrical coupling model and a Landauer resonant tunneling model to explain the reversible diode effect and its dependence on temperature. The integration of bidirectional tunable diodes in a single-molecule device creates an avenue of research and allows the discovery of a set of traffic rules for the electronic world in the future. (c) 2022 Author(s). All article content, except where otherwise noted, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

Automated summary

A new paradigm for designing a single-molecule tidal diode with gate-controlled reversible rectifying behavior is reported. The experiment demonstrated clear rectification and achieved electrically controllable reversible diode effect in the constructed Au-25-R single-molecule transistors. The reversible diode effect and its temperature dependence were explained using an asymmetrical coupling model and a Landauer resonant tunneling model.