Observation of current rectification by a new asymmetric iron(iii) surfactant in a eutectic GaIn|LB monolayer|Au sandwich

Abstract

In this paper we expand on the search for molecular rectifiers of electrical current and report on a hexacoordinate metallosurfactant [Fe^III(L^N₃O)(OMe)₂], where (L^N₃O)⁻ is the deprotonated form of the new asymmetric ligand 2-((E)-((4,5-bis(2-methoxyethoxy)-2-(((E)-pyridin-2-ylmethylene)amino)phenyl)imino)methyl)-4,6-di-tert-butyl-phenol. This species rectifies current when deposited as a Langmuir–Blodget film in a “EGaIn/Ga₂O₃|LB|Au” sandwich with rectification ratios ranging from 25 to 300 at 1 Volt.