Charge transport through a single particle located in between nanogap electrodes

We have bridged a pair of gold electrodes with a single nanoparticle stabilized with citrate. The device exhibited a pronounced linear current–voltage characteristic that is attributed to charge transport in a one-dimensional path. Switching of the current at a fixed bias voltage was observed. We conclude that the latter results from conformational changes in the citrate molecules induced by charge transfer to the molecules.