Prof. Zuoti Xie
17/12/2025
Israel: Zoom / GTIIT: Room – NC R202
Israel: 12:30 / GTIIT: 18:30
Metal–molecule–metal tunnel junctions (MTJs) represent a foundational platform in molecular electronics, where advances in molecular design and fabrication now enable the rational construction of nanoscale junctions that emulate the functionalities of conventional semiconductor components, including rectifiers, transistors, and switches. Despite these achievements, many fundamental aspects of the current–voltage (I–V) behavior of MTJs remain insufficiently understood, particularly regarding the roles of contact effects and intermolecular interactions. In this talk, we will discuss how these factors govern charge transport and electronic structure in MTJs, revealing the presence of interface feedback and molecular orbital broadening effect, as well as the negligible impact of asymmetric molecule–electrode coupling on rectification. These findings provide new insights that address several long-standing questions in the field.
In addition, we explore DNA molecules as programmable building blocks for molecular electronics. Their well-defined architectures and tunable electronic properties make DNA-based junctions a versatile platform for investigating charge transport mechanisms and realizing functional molecular devices. Our studies reveal the dependence of transport regimes and carrier types on DNA length and demonstrate the fabrication of DNA-based transistors, photoswitches, and spin-polarized devices. Collectively, these results enhance the understanding of DNA-mediated charge transport and open new avenues for the development of DNA-based molecular electronics in sensing and spintronic applications.