Multifunctional linker molecules for tuning electronic charge transport through organic-inorganic composite structures and uses thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to tuned multifunctional linker molecules for charge transport through organic-inorganic composite structures. The problem underlying the present invention is to provide multifunctional linker molecules for tuning the conductivity in nanoparticle-linker assemblies which can be used in the formation of electronic networks and circuits and thin films of nanoparticles. The problem is solved according to the invention by providing a multifunctional linker molecule of the general structure CON 1 -FUNC 1 -X-FUNC 2 -CON 2 in which X is the central body of the molecule, FUNC 1 and FUNC 2 independently of each other are molecular groups introducing a dipole moment and/or capable of forming inter-molecular and/or intramolecular hydrogen bonding networks, and CON 1 and CON 2 independently of each other are molecular groups binding to nanostructured units comprising metal and semiconductor materials.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A composite structure having the following general formula:
   METAL-CON-FUNC-X-FUNC-CON-METAL 
 wherein METAL is selected from the group consisting of Au, Ag, Cu, Pt, Hg and Fe; and 
 wherein CON-FUNC-X-FUNC-CON is a multifunctional linker molecule selected from the group consisting of a 1,4-dimercaptoacetamidobenzene having the following general formula: 
 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein R 1  and R 2  are each independently selected from the group consisting of a CH 3  group, and a Cl atom, a 1,4-dimercaptoacetamido-9,10-anthraquinone group, a 1,5-dimercaptoacetamido-9,10-anthraquinone group, a 1,8-dimercaptoacetamidooctane group, a 1,4-dithiocarbamatobenzene group and a 1,4-dithiocarbamatocyclohexane group,; and 
         wherein the conductivity of the composite structure is determined by the structure of the multifunctional linker molecule. 
       
     
     
       2. The composite structure according to claim 1, wherein R 1  and R 2  represent a CH 3  group. 
     
     
       3. The composite structure according to claim 2, wherein R 1  and R 2  represent a Cl atom. 
     
     
       4. The composite structure according to claim 2, wherein R 1  represents a CH 3  group and R 2  represents a Cl atom.