Molecular Electronics:
The Future of Electronics

Chemical Self-Assembly

Chemical self-assembly is similar to electrostatic self-assembly. We start with a gold substrate and add a dithiol layer to it. Dithiol is simply two thiols, which are compounds with a functional group composed of a sulfur and hydrogen atom. The required molecules are then attached. Continue by adding another layer of dithiol, then more molecules. Dithiol acts like glue between the molecules. The molecules added can be metals, semiconductors, or both. This allows for self-assembled heterostructures (structures consisting of more than one substance) consisting of metallic and/or semiconducting nanoparticles.

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© 2006 M. Busuttil, I. Kandikov, M. Lubrick, J. Mutus, J. Nantais