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Role of Stress on Charge Transfer through Self-Assembled Alkanethiol Monolayers on Au

Journal Article · · Physical Review Letters

We have studied charge transfer through alkanethiol molecules self-assembled on Au(111) substrates using interfacial force microscopy. Simultaneous measurement of the tip-substrate current and the normal interfacial force reveals the critical role of tip-film contact. Measurable currents are seen only for tip-applied stresses above about 20MPa, after which the current rises exponential with stress. We suggest that charge transfer results from stress-induced band-gap states near the Fermi level in these normally highly insulating molecular films.

Sponsoring Organization:
(US)
OSTI ID:
40203678
Journal Information:
Physical Review Letters, Journal Name: Physical Review Letters Journal Issue: 23 Vol. 86; ISSN 0031-9007
Publisher:
The American Physical Society
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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