AEI: Elucidation of the electronic properties of immobilized alkanethiolate-stabilized gold clusters and nanoparticles using scanning tunneling microscopy

INOR 635

Rachel K. Smith1, Sanjini U. Nanayakkara1, Brent A. Mantooth1, Gerd Woehrle2, James E. Hutchison2, and Paul S. Weiss1. (1) Departments of Chemistry and Physics, The Pennsylvania State University, 152 Davey Laboratory, University Park, PA 16802-6300, (2) Department of Chemistry and Materials Science Institute, University of Oregon, 1253 University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403-1253
The single electron transport properties of metal nanoparticles have led to great interest in their potential integration into nanoscale electronics. Here, we discuss and compare the electronic characteristics of isolated, solution-derived, and ligand-stabilized gold clusters (Au11L10) and nanoparticles (Au101L43], taken in both cryogenic (4 K, UHV) and ambient conditions using scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy. The clusters and particles (dCORE = 0.8 nm and 1.5 ± 0.5 nm, respectively) are immobilized on alkanethiolate self-assembled monolayers with inserted dithiol molecules. We thoroughly characterize the self-assembled monolayer surface to which the nanostructures are attached with both local probes and ensemble measurements. At low temperature, the Au11 clusters demonstrate Coulomb blockade behavior, with zero-conductance gaps resulting from quantum size effects.
 

Nanoscience
8:30 AM-12:30 PM, Wednesday, August 25, 2004 Pennsylvania Convention Center -- 108A, Oral

Sci-Mix
8:00 PM-10:00 PM, Monday, August 23, 2004 Pennsylvania Convention Center -- Hall D, Sci-Mix

Division of Inorganic Chemistry

The 228th ACS National Meeting, in Philadelphia, PA, August 22-26, 2004