Chemically Soldered Single Metal Clusters – Electronics, Electrochemistry and Photonics

Single-molecule electronics has rapidly evolved from a scientific curiosity to a vibrant research field, with the ultimate goal of integrating molecular components in electronic devices. As such, it might offer new approaches to traditional nanoelectronics and nanofabrication in the future, and contribute to scalability with a bottom‐up self‐assembly approach and miniaturisation. At the same time, the fabrication of molecular junctions offers an unique way to probe charge transport at the smallest possible scale and to characterise phenomena unique to the nanoscale. Since the first pioneering studies in the late 1990s, single-molecule junctions with behaviour similar to traditional semiconductor-based devices, such as diodes, transistors, resistors, and switches, have been developed, and the chemical complexity of the compounds employed has increased significantly.

In recent times, polynuclear clusters (metal clusters, polyoxometalates, perovskite nanocrystals and quantum dots) have been shown to have interesting electronic and photonic behaviour, owing to their capability to accept large variations of charge without significant changes in their structure and the presence of a tuneable bandgap and recombination phenomena that makes them efficient light emitters. See for example our recent publication in Angewandte Chemie (DOI:10.1002/anie.202002174)

The aim of the project is the fabrication of cluster-containing single-molecule junctions, and to characterise their charge transport, single-entity electrochemistry and light emission phenomena.
The PhD project will involve activities such as:
- Synthesis of metal clusters decorated with organic ligands suitable to fabrication of single-cluster junctions.
- Nanofabrication of molecular junctions for electron transport characterisation as a function of applied electrochemical potential.
- Development of novel characterisation techniques and instrumentation for nanoscale measurements, including the collection of single-entity electroluminescence.

More information about the research, and further useful references can be found at https://pcwww.liv.ac.uk/~skeja.
Applications are encouraged from highly motivated candidates who have, or expect to have, at least a 2:1 degree or equivalent in Chemistry or related disciplines (e.g. Materials Science). A background (e.g. master thesis or dissertation) in chemical synthesis or nanoscience is desirable.

Applications should be made as soon as possible but no later than 30/06/2020. The project start date is 01/10/2020

Informal enquiries are also encouraged and should be addressed to Dr. Andrea Vezzoli ([Email Address Removed] )
Some teaching duties may be required.

To apply, please visit: https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-research/how-to-apply/
Please quote Studentship reference CCPR007 in the Funding section of the application form.