Bridging nanogap electrodes by in situ electropolymerization of a bis(terthiophenylphenanthroline)ruthenium complex

A novel complex containing a 3,8-bis[terthiophenyl-(1,10-phenanthroline)] ligand coordinated to [Ru(bpy)(2)] was synthesized and characterized by electrochemical and spectroscopic techniques. The complex was shown to be a suitable starting material for the electrodeposition of functionalized molecular wires between nanogap electrodes to generate stable molecular nanodevices. Temperature-dependent nonlinear I-V curves were obtained at 80-300 K. The material can also be deposited on indium tin oxide (ITO) to form compact electrochromic films at surface concentrations lower than approximately 1 x 10(-8) mol cm(2); however, a more loosely bond fibrous form is preferentially deposited at higher surface concentrations.