Molecular wiring of nanocrystals: NCS-enhanced cross-surface charge transfer in self-assembled Ru-complex monolayer on mesoscopic oxide films

We report on rapid ambipolar cross-surface charge transfer within self-assembled monolayers (SAM) of the heteroleptic Ru-complexes cis-RuLL'(NCS)(2) (L = 2,2'-bipyridyl-4,4'-dicarboxylic acid, L' = 4,4'-dinonyl-2,2'-bipyridyl) (1) and cis-RuLL' '(NCS)(2) (L = 2,2'-bipyridyl-4,4'-dicarboxylic acid, L' = 4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridyl) (2) on the surface of mesoscopic insulating oxide films. The bipyridyl ligands of the Ru-complex transport electrons, while the NCS groups plays a pivotal role in mediating surface confined hole percolation. Molecular dynamics calculations show the NCS ligands of 1 and 2 to orient in a fashion that enhances the overlap of the HOMOs of neighboring ruthenium complexes. Using ab initio Hartree-Fock calculations the electronic coupling matrix element for intermolecular hole exchange at the surface is estimated to be 0.13 eV. Cyclic voltammetry as well as spectroelectrochemical and impedance measurements performed with a series of other Ru-complexes confirmed the control of the cross surface charge transfer by the molecular structure. Complex 2 shows the highest percolation rate, the surface hole diffusion coefficient being 1.1 x 10(-8) cm(2)/s. The effects of the ligand properties, such as denticity, geometry, and size, on the intermolecular charge transport are discussed in detail.