Charge transport in one-dimensional chains of nanoparticles

Gold electrodes were bridged by a one-dimensional chain of citrate stabilized gold particles. The resulting device exhibits current fluctuations at constant bias voltage due to conformational changes in the citrate molecules induced by charge transfer across the molecules. Moreover, fluctuations of the differential conductance as a function of the bias voltage became evident. The effect is attributed to the interplay of two origins: (a) dislocation of particles in the chain by action of the electric field; (b) interaction between mechanical motion of citrate molecules located on particles and charge transfer. (© 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)