The Need

Molecular electronic junctions offer numerous potential commercial opportunities. Microelectronics, imaging devices, chemical sensors, light emission, and voltage modulation all stand to benefit from a stable monolayer junction device. Although somewhat speculative, the versatility inherent in a device that exploits a molecule as a circuit element may be as important an advance as the semiconductor junctions which spawned the modern electronics, computing, and information technology industries. Many examples of molecular junctions and conductance switching exist, although the mechanism is controversial. Other investigators have used Ti top contacts but have not considered the possibility of a Ti/TiOx redox couple. A greater understanding of this material will garner improved ultra thin layer galvanic cell fabrication.

The Technology

The Ohio State University researchers, led by Dr. Richard McCreery, have improved Ti/TiOx monolayer technologies. Specifically, the researchers: Fabricated an ultrathin galvanic cell with Ti/TiOx as one half cell and organic redox reaction as the other; Investigated conductance switching caused by Ti metal formation via electrochemical reduction; Controlled electronic behavior to favor or prevent metal oxide formation; Used Ti/TiOx to complete a galvanic cell to generate conducting switching in an organic layer in a molecular junction.

Commercial Applications

• Microelectronics
• Photodetectors and imaging devices
• Chemical sensors
• Light emission
• Voltage modulation of reflectivity

Benefits/Advantages

• More versatile properties than conventional semiconductor microcircuits