MOLECULAR WIRES

INTRODUCTION
Molecular wires (or sometimes called molecular nanowires) are molecular-scale objects which conduct electrical current. the fundamental building blocks for molecular electronic devices. typical diameters are less than 3 nm . The most common types of molecular wires are based on organic molecules.

 A molecular wire occurring in nature is DNA . Prominent inorganic examples include polymeric materials such as Li2Mo6Se6 and Mo6S9-xIx and single-molecule extended metal atom chains (EMACs).

STRUCTURE OF MOLECULAR WIRES

molecular nanowires are composed of repeating molecular units, which may be organic (e.g. DNA) or inorganic (e.g. Mo6S9-xIx). In case of Mo6S9-xIx, the repeat units are Mo6S9-xIx clusters, which are joined together by flexible sulfur or iodine bridges.

FIG :- The structure of a Mo6S9-xIx molecular wire. Mo atoms are blue, iodine atoms are red and sulphur atoms are green.

CONDUCTION OF ELECTRONS IN MOLECULAR WIRES

Molecular wires conduct electricity. Have non-linear current-voltage characteristics, and do not behave as simple ohmic conductors. The conductance follows typical power law behavior as a function of temperature or electric field.

 Molecular wires can be incorporated into polymers, enhancing their mechanical and/or conducting properties.