The role of molecule–electrode contact in single-molecule electronics

Creating complex electronic systems from individual molecular components is one of the most formidable challenges in nanotechnology today. To achieve this goal it is necessary not only to design the functionality of the molecular system to create devices, but also to control the interface between bulk contacts and molecular systems. In this brief perspective we discuss the role of molecule–electrode contact in single-molecule systems. This contact is responsible for making the system mechanically stable enough to perform measurements, and can also have profound impacts on both the contact resistance and the energy level alignment in the system. We will discuss a variety of different linker groups that have been explored, note the advantages and disadvantages of various contact chemistries, and discuss new methodologies used for understanding the impact that the molecule–electrode contact has on the energetics of single-molecule devices.