Gold nanoparticles passivated with π-conjugated dendrons and their electrical bistability

Au nanoparticles passivated with π-conjugated dendrons were synthesized. The average diameter of the Au nanoparticles was in the range of 2.1 ± 0.4 nm. The average number of the dendron units on the Au nanoparticle was 21. The fluorescence quenching of the Au nanoparticles indicated a charge transfer interaction between the Au nanoparticle and the conjugated dendrons on the surface of Au nanoparticle. The current-voltage-resistance (I-V-R) characteristics of the single layer device, ITO/Stb-1GD-S-Au-PS/LiF/Al, exhibited clear electrical bistability due to a charge transfer interaction between the Au nanoparticle and the conjugated dendrons, which can be utilized for memory application.