Intrinsic Tunneling Characteristics of Aryl Alkane Monolayers Sandwiched Between Single-Layer Graphene Electrodes

In this study, we report on charge transport through aryl alkane monolayers sandwiched between single-layer graphene (SLG) electrodes. Raman spectroscopy identified the chemically grafting of aryl diazonium compounds onto bottom SLG electrodes. Current densities of three different aryl alkane monolayers were exponentially deceased with a correct decay coefficient (β) as the length of a tunneling barrier increased. Transition voltage measurements for variable lengths of alkyl chains showed that the SLG/monolayer/SLG arrangement provides the formation of a valid tunneling junction to observe intrinsic charge transport properties of the incorporated molecules. This study demonstrated the possible application of the SLG electrodes to the test beds of molecular junctions.