Reversible electron-induced conductance in polymer nanostructures

A. R. Laracuente, M. Yang, W. K. Lee, L. Senapati, J. W. Baldwin, P. E. Sheehan, W. P. King, S. C. Erwin, L. J. Whitman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

We report a mechanism for controlling conductance in polymer nanostructures. Poly(3-dodecylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (PDDT) nanostructures were directly written between gold electrodes using thermal dip pen nanolithography and then characterized in UHV. We find that the conductivity of a PDDT nanostructure can be increased by more than five orders of magnitude (from < 10-4 to 10 S cm-1) by exposure to energetic electrons, and then repeatedly returned to a semi-insulating state by subsequent exposure to hydrogen. Based on systematic measurements complemented by calculations of electronic structure and electron transport in PDDT, we conclude that the conductance modulation is caused by H desorption and reabsorption. The phenomenon has potential applications in hydrogen sensing and molecular electronics.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number103723
JournalJournal of Applied Physics
Volume107
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - May 15 2010

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Physics and Astronomy

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