First-principle study of the electronic transport properties of a new dumbbell-like carbon nanocomposite

Using a first-principle density functional theory and non-equilibrium Green's function formalism for quantum transport calculation, we have investigated the electronic transport properties of a new dumbbell-like carbon nanocomposite, in which one carbon nanotube segment is capped with two C₆₀ fullerenes. Our results show that the current–voltage curve reveals a highly nonlinear feature. A negative differential resistance (NDR) behavior is obtained at a very low bias, which is expected to be helpful for the development of low bias NDR-based molecular devices. Moreover, the carbon nanotube length and fullerene type can affect the NDR behavior strongly. The electronic transport is analyzed from the transmission spectra and the molecular projected self-consistent Hamiltonian states under different applied biases.     

Theoretical investigation of the O2 adsorption effect in the electron transport of single Fe-porphyrin molecule

The effect of O₂ adsorption on the electron transport behavior of Fe-porphyrin molecule is investigated by the first-principles computational approach. The current-voltage characteristics of Fe-porphyrin and O₂ adsorbed Fe-porphyrin between gold electrodes are calculated. We find that the conductance of the Fe-porphyrin decreases dramatically upon the adsorption of O₂, which suggests that this system has potential application as a molecular sensor or a switch. This switching-behavior is analyzed from the evolutions of the transmission spectra and the molecular projected self-consistent Hamiltonian states of the molecular systems.     

First principles investigation of the spin transport properties in graphene-porphine-graphene nanojunctions

The spin-dependent transport properties of a porphine molecule linking with two zigzag-edged graphene nanoribbon (ZGNR) electrodes have been investigated by using the density of functional theory (DFT) combined with the non-equilibrium Green’s function (NEGF) method. The device shows clearly negative differential resistance (NDR), large tunnelling magnetoresistance (TMR) of 10³ magnitude and nearly 100% perfect spin filter efficiency (SFE) properties, respectively. What’s more, the projected density of states (PDOS), molecular projected self-consistent Hamiltonian (MPSH) eigenvalues and transmission eigenstates were carried out to discuss the transport properties of the ZGNR/Porphine/ZGNR nanojunction. These results suggest that the ZGNR/Porphine/ZGNR device is a promising candidate for multi-functional spintronic devices.     

Current–Voltage Characteristics of the Aziridine-Based Nano-Molecular Wires: a Light-Driven Molecular Switch

Using nonequilibrium Green's function formalism combined first-principles density functional theory, we analyze the transport properties of a 4,4-dimethyl-6-(4-nitrophenyl)-2-phenyl-3,5-diaza-bicyclo[3.1.0]hex-2-ene molecular optical switch. The title molecule can convert between closed and open forms by visible or ultraviolet irradiation. The I-V characteristics, differential conductance, on-off ratio, electronic transmission coefficients, spatial distribution of molecular projected self-consistent Hamiltonian orbitals, HOMO-LUMO gaps, effect of electrode materials Y(111)(Y =Au, Ag and Pt) on electronic transport and different molecular geometries corresponding to the closed and open forms through the molecular device are discussed in detail. Based on the results, as soon as possible the open form translates to the closed form, and there is a switch from the ON state to the OFF state(low resistance switches to high resistance). Theoretical results show that the donor/acceptor substituent plays an important role in the electronic transport of molecular devices. The switching performance can be improved to some extent through suitable donor and acceptor substituents.     

Gate-controlled low-bias rectifying behaviors in BDC60 molecule

Using first-principles density functional theory and non-equilibrium Greenʼs function formalism for quantum transport calculation, we have investigated the effect of gate voltage on the electronic transport properties of BDC60-based molecular junction. The results show that the transport properties are strongly modulated by the applied gate voltage, and the current–voltage curve displays an obvious rectifying behavior at much low bias region. The mechanism for the rectifying behavior is analyzed by the bias-dependent transmission spectrum, projected density of states, spatial distribution of molecular projected self-consistent Hamiltonian orbitals and voltage drop over the junction.     

A possible salicylideneanilines-based optical molecular switch induced by a reversible hydrogen transfer: an ab initio study

The electronic transport properties of the salicylideneanilines-based molecular optical switch are investigated using a nonequilibrium Green's function formalism combined with first-principles density functional theory. The molecule that comprises the switch can convert between the enol and keto tautomeric forms upon photoinduced excited state hydrogen transfer in the molecular bridge. Theoretical results show that the current through the enol form is significantly larger than that through the keto form, which realize the on and off states of the molecular switch. The physical origin of the switching behaviour is interpreted based on the spatial distributions of molecular orbitals and the HOMO-LUMO gap. Furthermore the effect of the donor/acceptor substituent on the electronic transport through the molecular device is also discussed in detail. The switching performance can be improved to some extent through the acceptor substituent.     

Theoretical investigations on the orientational dependence of electron transport through porphyrin molecular wire

The effect of molecular orientation on the electron transport behavior of single porphyrin sandwiched between two gold (111) electrodes is investigated by density functional theory calculations combined with non-equilibrium Green’s function method. The results show that the porphyrin with parallel connection to gold (111) electrodes is more conductive than the porphyrin with diagonal connection to gold (111) electrodes. The mechanism of the difference of electron transport for these two molecular junctions is analyzed from the transmission spectra and the molecular projected self-consistent Hamiltonian states. It is found that the intrinsic nature of the molecule, such as the π-conjugated framework and the strength of molecule–electrode coupling, are the essential reason for generating this difference of electron transport for the two molecular systems.     

Theoretical design of thermal spin molecular logic gates by using a combinational molecular junction

Based on the density functional theory combined with the nonequilibrium Green function methodology, we have studied the thermally-driven spin-dependent transport properties of a combinational molecular junction consisting of a planar four-coordinate Fe molecule and a 15,16-dinitrile dihydropyrene/cyclophanediene molecule, with single-walled carbon nanotube bridge and electrode. Our results show that the magnetic field and light can effectively regulate the thermally-driven spin-dependent currents. Perfect thermal spin-filtering effect and good thermal switching effect are realized. The results are explained by the Fermi-Dirac distribution function, the spin-resolved transmission spectra, the spatial distribution of molecular projected self-consistent Hamiltonian orbitals, and the spin-resolved current spectra. On the basis of these thermally-driven spin-dependent transport properties, we have further designed three basic thermal spin molecular AND, OR, and NOT gates.     

Electronic transport properties of a quinone-based molecular switch

In this paper, we carried out first-principles calculations based on density functionaltheory and non-equilibrium Green’s function to investigate the electronic transportproperties of a quinone-based molecule sandwiched between two Au electrodes. The molecularswitch can be reversibly switched between the reduced hydroquinone (HQ) and oxidizedquinone (Q) states via redox reactions. The switching behavior of two forms is analyzedthrough their I-V curves, transmission spectra and molecularprojected self-consistent Hamiltonian at zero bias. Then we discuss the transmissionspectra of the HQ and Q forms at different bias, and explain the oscillation of currentaccording to the transmission eigenstates of LUMO energy level for Q form. The resultssuggest that this kind of a quinone-based molecule is usable as one of the good candidatesfor redox-controlled molecular switches.     

Electronic transport properties of zigzag carbon- and boron-nitride-nanotube heterostructures

Using first-principles density functional theory and non-equilibrium Green's function formalism for quantum transport calculation, we have investigated the electronic transport properties of heteronanotubes by joining a zigzag (6,0) carbon nanotube and a zigzag (6,0) boron nitride nanotube with different atomic compositions and joint configurations. Our results show that the atomic composition and joint configuration affect strongly the electronic transport properties. Obvious negative differential resistance behavior and large rectifying behavior are obtained in the heterostructure with certain composition and joint configuration. Moreover, tube length and tube radius can affect strongly the observed NDR and rectifying behaviors. The observed negative differential resistance and rectifying behaviors are explained in terms of the evolution of the transmission spectrum with applied bias combined with molecular projected self-consistent Hamiltonian states analysis.     

Electronic transport properties in benzene-based heterostructure: Effects of anchoring groups

Using density functional theory (DFT) combined with nonequilibrium Green?s functions (NEGF), the electronic transport properties of benzene-based heterostructure molecular devices have been investigated. We focus on the contact geometry between molecules and electrodes, and several different anchoring groups have been considered. The current–voltage characteristics were calculated for positive and negative bias voltages, and discussed in terms of transmission spectra, transferred charges, and molecular projected self-consistent Hamiltonian (MPSH) states. Our results show that the anchoring groups play a crucial role in determining the overall conductivity of the molecular devices. Negative differential resistance (NDR) and rectifying effect can be observed.     

First-principles study of the electronic transport properties of a C131 -based molecular junction

Using first-principles density functional theory and the non-equilibrium Green’s function formalism, we have studied the electronic transport properties of the dumbbell-like fullerene dimer C₁₃₁-based molecular junction. Our results show that the current-voltage curve displays an obvious negative differential resistance phenomenon in a certain bias voltage range. The negative differential resistance behavior can be understood in terms of the evolution of the transmission spectrum and the projected density of states with applied bias voltage. The present findings could be helpful for the application of the C₁₃₁ molecule in the field of single molecular devices or nanometer electronics.     

The electronic transport properties of defected bilayer sliding armchair graphene nanoribbons

By applying non-equilibrium Green's functions (NEGF) in combination with tight-binding (TB) model, we investigate and compare the electronic transport properties of perfect and defected bilayer armchair graphene nanoribbons (BAGNRs) under finite bias. Two typical defects which are placed in the middle of top layer (i.e. single vacancy (SV) and stone wale (SW) defects) are examined. The results reveal that in both perfect and defected bilayers, the maximum current refers to β-AB, AA and α-AB stacking orders, respectively, since the intermolecular interactions are stronger in them. Moreover it is observed that a SV decreases the current in all stacking orders, but the effects of a SW defect is nearly unpredictable. Besides, we introduced a sequential switching behavior and the effects of defects on the switching performance is studied as well. We found that a SW defect can significantly improve the switching behavior of a bilayer system. Transmission spectrum, band structure, molecular energy spectrum and molecular projected self-consistent Hamiltonian (MPSH) are analyzed subsequently to understand the electronic transport properties of these bilayer devices which can be used in developing nano-scale bilayer systems.     

基于石墨烯电极的Co-Salophene分子器件的自旋输运

采用基于非平衡格林函数结合第一性原理的密度泛函理论的计算方法,研究了基于锯齿型石墨纳米带电极的Co-Salophene分子器件的自旋极化输运性质.计算结果表明,当左右电极为平行自旋结构时,自旋向上的电流明显大于自旋向下的电流,自旋向下的电流在[-1V,1V]偏压下接近零,分子器件表现出优异的自旋过滤效应.与此同时,在自旋向上电流中发现负微分电阻效应.当左右电极为反平行自旋结构时,器件表现出双自旋过滤和双自旋分子整流效应.除此之外,整个分子器件还表现出较高的巨磁阻效应.通过分析器件的自旋极化透射谱、局域态密度、电极的能带结构和分子自洽投影哈密顿量,详细解释该分子器件表现出众多特性的内在机理.研究结果对设计多功能分子器件具有重要的借鉴意义.     

Theoretical study of NO<Stack><Subscript>3</Subscript><Superscript>−</Superscript></Stack> interacting with carbon nanotube

This paper deals with quantum mechanical interaction of no ₃⁻ with (5,5) and (8,0) swcnts. To perform this we have made an ab initio calculation based on the density functional theory. In these framework the electronic density plays a central role and it was obtained of a self-consistent field form. It was observed through binding energy that NO₃⁻ molecule interacts with each nanotube in a physisorption regime. We propose these swcnts as a potential filter device due to reasonable interaction with NO₃⁻ molecule. Besides this type of filter could be reusable, therefore after the filtering, the swcnts could be separated from NO₃⁻ molecule.      

以石墨烯为电极的有机噻吩分子整流器的设计及电输运特性研究

传统硅基半导体器件受到了量子尺寸效应的限制,发展分子电子学器件有可能解决这一难题.本文提出了由石墨烯电极和有机噻吩分子相结合构造分子器件的思想,建构了"石墨烯-噻吩分子-石墨烯"结构的分子器件,并运用非平衡态格林函数结合密度泛函理论的方法研究了其电输运特性.系统地分析了电子给体"氨基"和电子受体"硝基"两种取代基的位置对有机噻吩分子电输运的影响.计算表明,有机噻吩二聚物被"氨基"和"硝基"取代后会产生明显的负微分电阻效应和整流效应.进一步对产生这些效应的物理机制进行分析,发现氨基的位置可以调整负微分电阻的强弱,硝基的位置可以改变整流的方向.     

Negative differential resistance and rectification effects in zigzag graphene nanoribbon heterojunctions: Induced by edge oxidation and symmetry concept

By applying non-equilibrium Green's functions (NEGF) in combination with tight-binding (TB) model, we investigate and compare the electronic transport properties of H-terminated zigzag graphene nanoribbon (H/ZGNR) and O-terminated ZGNR/H-terminated ZGNR (O/ZGNR–H/ZGNR) heterostructure under finite bias. Moreover, the effect of width and symmetry on the electronic transport properties of both models is also considered. The results reveal that asymmetric H/ZGNRs have linear I–V characteristics in whole bias range, but symmetric H-ZGNRs show negative differential resistance (NDR) behavior which is inversely proportional to the width of the H/ZGNR. It is also shown that the I–V characteristic of O/ZGNR–H/ZGNR heterostructure shows a rectification effect, whether the geometrical structure is symmetric or asymmetric. The fewer the number of zigzag chains, the bigger the rectification ratio. It should be mentioned that, the rectification ratios of symmetric heterostructures are much bigger than asymmetric one. Transmission spectrum, density of states (DOS), molecular projected self-consistent Hamiltonian (MPSH) and molecular eigenstates are analyzed subsequently to understand the electronic transport properties of these ZGNR devices. Our findings could be used in developing nanoscale rectifiers and NDR devices.     

B/N掺杂对于石墨烯纳米片电子输运的影响

选用锯齿(zigzag)型石墨烯纳米片为研究对象, Au作为电极, 分子平面与Au的(111)面垂直, 并通过末端S原子化学吸附于金属表面, 构成两种分子器件: 一种是在纳米片的边缘掺杂N(B)原子, 发现电流-电压具有非线性行为, 但是整流系数较小, 特别是掺杂较多时, 整流具有不稳定性; 另一种是用烷链把两个石墨烯片连接, 在烷链附近和石墨烯片的边缘进行N(B)掺杂, 发现在烷链附近掺杂具有较大的整流, 但是掺杂的原子个数和位置会影响整流性能. 研究表明: 整流主要为正负电压下分子能级的移动方向和空间轨道分布不同导致. 部分体系中的负微分电阻现象主要由于偏压导致能级移动和透射峰形态的改变, 并且在某些偏压下主要透射通道被抑制而引起. 关键词： 石墨烯纳米片 电子输运 整流行为 非平衡格林函数方法     

Hydration effect on the electronic transport properties of oligomeric phenylene ethynylene molecular junctions

A first-principles computational method based on the hybrid density functional theory is developed to simulate the electronic transport properties of oligomeric phenylene ethynylene molecular junctions with H₂O molecules accumulated in the vicinity as recently reported by Na {\it et al.} [\wx{Nanotechnology}{18} 424001 (2007)]. The numerical results show that the hydrogen bonds between the oxygen atoms of the oligomeric phenylene ethynylene molecule and H₂O molecules result in the localisation of the molecular orbitals and lead to the lower transition peaks. The H₂O molecular chains accumulated in the vicinity of the molecular junction can not only change the electronic structure of the molecular junctions, but also open additional electronic transport pathways. The obvious influence of H₂O molecules on the electronic structure of the molecular junction and its electronic transport properties is thus demonstrated.     

The comparative study in transport properties of furan, thiophene and selenophene dithiols in nano electronic

The electron transport properties of furan, thiophene and selenophene dithiols based molecular wires through two electrodic systems using non-equilibrium Green’s functions technique (NEGF) are investigated. The electron transport of the above systems is systematically studied by analysis of transmission function, density of states, current–voltage characteristics, and conductance of the systems. The maximum current is occurred at the vicinity of 2.0 V and the values are 90.37, 98.82 and 100.31 μA for furan, thiophene and selenophene dithiols, respectively. These results can be attributed to the molecular projected self consistent Hamiltonian (MPSH) of two electrodic systems with different molecules at different bias voltage and also to quality of resonance of π electrons of heterocyclic ring. We can foresee that the furan, thiophene, and selenophene dithiols can be applied at electronic devices because of switching the high and low current.