Integrating Molecular Rectifiers in AC Circuits

The field of molecular electronics exploits single molecules as basic components. Envisioned to provide a route to the continued satisfaction of Moore's Law, these nano-scale components exploit quantum effects to provide functionality at a length scale impossible with current technologies. This presentation focuses on molecular rectifiers based on single molecular layers sandwiched between two electrodes, operating similarly to solid-state diodes. We have developed a new molecule, (E)-1-(4-cyanophenyl)-N-(3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl)methanimine, that allows current rectification with rectification ratios greater than 2500. We further tested the functionality of molecular rectifiers made from this molecule in a standard AC circuit to create a DC rectifier. A test circuit was built where molecular diodes were connected in series with a 1 MΩ resistor and 100 nF smoothing capacitor, using a specially designed 3D-printed low-noise integration system. The rectification ratio of each diode was tested before circuit integration to associate this value with circuit performance. DC voltages measured for a variety of input frequencies show low ripple voltage, the mark of a quality DC rectifier, indicating that the experimental molecular layer acts as a stable diode in AC circuitry.