Active Projects

INELCA Project (2017-2019)

Aims of the project

This project addresses the manufacture of robust electrode/monolayer/electrode devices totally organic, and therefore friendlier from the environmental point of view, with promising new properties in the field of Molecular Electronics, pursuing the generation of devices, connectable to the outside, in size less than 5 nm, in the form of perfectly organized arrays. In particular, we propose the design, preparation and characterization of new functional materials with properties of particular interest in the field of molecular electronics as well as the establishment of alternatives to metal electrodes: carbon-based materials. Devices with very small dimensions, in the nanometer range, will be constructed from molecular assembled into carbon-based materials using electrografting and other bottom-up technologies for the construction of robust carbonate-molecule electrode joints and the obtaining of molecular architectures with unique properties. This is a multidisciplinary project which involves different branches of knowledge:

1. Synthesis of new functional materials. Design, preparation and characterization of new functional materials with properties of particular interest in the field of molecular electronics. We will focus on OPE derivatives containing functional anchor groups suitable for organic electrodes.
2. Alternatives to metallic electrodes. Looking for alternatives to metal electrodes: carbon-based materials.
3. Physical Chemistry of Surfaces. One of the challenges of the molecular electronics to be a reality is to achieve robust contacts electrode-molecular material, as well as the deposition of the top contact.
4. Characterization of the electrical properties of the devices. Particular goals will be the assessment of the conductance and stability of the devices.

This multidisciplinary approach is an ideal environment for the education of new professionals in the general field of Nanoscience. In particular, specialized training in molecular science, chemistry of surfaces, metrology and scanning probe microscopy technologies will be provided. If you are interested in participating in this project do not hesitate to contact the PI: pilarcea@unizar.es

Colaborators

Prof. P. J. Low. Universidad de Perth (Australia)
Prof. R. J. Richard and S. Higgins. Universidad de Liverpool (United Kingdom)
Prof. J. Ferrer. Universidad de Oviedo (Spain)
Prof. J. L. Serrano. Universidad de Zaragoza (Spain)
Prof. F. Pérez Murano. Instituto de Microelectrónica de Barcelona (Spain)
Prof. J. Torrent-Burgués. Universidad Politécnica de Cataluña (Spain)
Dr. W. Maser. Instituto de Carboquímica. CSIC. Zaragoza (Spain)
Prof. Joaquín Coronas. Instituto de Nanociencia de Aragon (INA). Zaragoza (Spain)
Prof. Christian Serre. Institut Lavoisier Versailles. París (France)
Prof. Paul A. Wright . University of St. Andrews (United Kingdom)

ABENGOA
BSH ELECTRODOMESTICOS ESPAÑA, S.A.

Results of this project

Publications
• Unconventional single-molecule conductance behavior for a new heterocyclic anchoring group: Pyrazolyl
  I. L. Herrer, A. K. Ismael, D. C. Milán, A. Vezzoli, S. Martín, A. González-Orive, I. Grace, C. Lambert, J. L. Serrano, R. J. Nichols, P. Cea
  Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters 2018, 9, 5364−5372

• A porphyrin spin qubit and its 2D framework nanosheets
  A. Urtizberea, E. Natividad, P. J. Alonso, M. A. Andrés, I. Gascón, M. Goldmann, O. Roubeau
  Advanced Functional Materials 2018, 28, 1801695

• Towards molecular electronic devices based on ‘all-carbon’ wires
  A. Moneo, A. González-Orive, S. Bock, M. Fenero, I. L. Herrer, D. C. Milan, M. Lorenzoni, R. J. Nichols, P. Cea, F. Perez-Murano, P. J. Low, S. Martin
  Nanoscale 2018, 10, 14128-14138

• Influence of surface coverage on the formation of 4,4′- bipyridinium (viologen) single molecular junctions
  H. M. Osorio, S. Martín, D. C. Milan, A. González-Orive, J. B. C. Gluyas, S. J. Higgins, P. J. Low, R. J. Nichols, P. Cea
  Journal of Materials Chemistry C 2017, 5, 11717-11723

• High surface coverage of a self-assembled monolayer by in situ synthesis of palladium nanodeposits
  L. Herrer, V. Sebastian, S. Martin, A. Gonzalez Orive, F. Pérez-Murano, P. Low, J. L. Serrano, J. Santamaria and P. Cea
  Nanoscale 2017, 9, 13281-13290

• All-carbon electrode molecular electronic devices based on Langmuir–Blodgett monolayers
  S. Sangiao, S. Martín, A. González-Orive, C. Magén, P. J. Low, J. M. De Teresa, P. Cea
  Small 2017, 13, 1603207