Carotene as a molecular wire: Conducting atomic force microscopy

Authors
Leatherman, G Durantini, EN Gust, D Moore, TA Moore, AL Stone, S Zhou, Z Rez, P Liu, YZ Lindsay, SM
Citation
G. Leatherman et al., Carotene as a molecular wire: Conducting atomic force microscopy, J PHYS CH B, 103(20), 1999, pp. 4006-4010
Citations number
27
Categorie Soggetti
Physical Chemistry/Chemical Physics
Journal title
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY B
ISSN journal
15206106 → ACNP
Volume
103
Issue
20
Year of publication
1999
Pages
4006 - 4010
Database
ISI
SICI code
1520-6106(19990520)103:20<4006:CAAMWC>2.0.ZU;2-8
Abstract
A conducting atomic force microscope was used to measure the electrical pro perties of carotenoid molecules attached to a gold electrode. The thiolated carotene molecules were embedded in insulating n-alkanethiol self-assemble d monolayers. At a contact force of a few nanoNewtons, a carotenoid molecul e behaves ohmically with a resistance of approximately 4.2 +/- 0.7 G Ohm; o ver a million times more conductive than an alkane chain of similar length. Modes of electron transport are discussed.