Applications, molecular electronics reversibility

The use of self-assembly techniques in molecular electronics has proven to be useful, as shown by the many publications cited. We expect the field to continue to develop and mature as researchers fine-tune their procedures and new methods are developed. Processes refined for the molecular electronics field will find applications in other nanotechnology areas the reverse will also be true. Thus, as it will be beneficial for those in the solid-state microelectronics field to look toward molecular electronics for solutions to their problems, it will also be beneficial for those in the field of self-assembled molecular electronics to look outside that narrow range of technology for potential solutions to their problems. The coming years will surely see many exciting developments. 

Redox series of metal-polypyridines still await their practical exploration. The existence of multistep, reversible, sequential reduction processes, each step occurring at a defined potential and being localized at a specific molecular site, is very promising for possible applications in molecular electronics. This would require to organize the active complexes in films, polymers or supermolecules. Up to now, only the electrochromic behavior of some [Ru(N,N)a] + complexes has been explored with potential applications in electrochromic glasses, displays and redox sensors [206, 262, 264]. 

In the last section (Sect. 6) we focus on molecules adsorbed to surfaces. Creating complex polymer architectures on surfaces is important for applications such as (bio)sensors and molecular electronics. However, molecular self-assembly usually relies on weak, reversible interactions leading to inherently fragile structures. To provide stability as well as enhanced electron transport properties we explore the possibility of creating covalently linked molecular structures on bulk insulator surfaces. 

These remarkable electrochemical properties have many potential applications, in batteries, electrochromic display devices, supercapacitors and, more recently, for the conception and production of various sensors for molecular electronics. The main problem, however, is cycling reversibility, which will determine the suitability of PPP for these applications. The electroactivity of a given PPP depends on several factors, particularly on the nature of solvent and electrolyte, and on the potential range at which it is cycled. 

Metallophthalocyanine polymers offer good stability in thermal, chemical, hydrolytic and photochemical environments. The reversible redox property and cycle stability of phthalocyanine compounds and their polymers make them useful as active components in sensors, switches, diodes, memory devices, NLO materials, etc. different types of phthalocyanine polymers are available and they are amenable to chemical modifications to suit the devices requirements. It is possible to exercise chemical control of the properties of the phthalocyanine polymers as well as functionalize other conducting polymers with the characteristics of phthalocyanines. Hence phthalocyanine polymers have become potential candidates for producing useful and viable materials for electronic, optoelectronic and molecular electronic applications. 

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