Abstract: A study on the fabrication and characterization of gold nanowires containing a 4,4'-azopyridine monolayer junctions was reported. Au nanowires were prepared by using a two-step alternative current(AC) electrodeposition inside the pores of AAO. Azopyridine molecules were adsorbed on the top of Au layer by self-assembly and electroless plating was done to introduce Au caps on the top of the SAMs. The top Au segments were prepared by using AC electrodeposition, too. The HRTEM image shows the thickness of the SAM is approximately 1.5 nm, which is in good agreement with the theoretical length of azopyridine. It is demonstrated that direct AC electrodeposition was more effective than chemical deposition on strengthening the electronic device. Utilizing 4,4'-azopyridine as the active component, current-voltage characterization of nanowires containing molecules was done at room temperature by a two-point probe method by using a Keithley 4200 semiconductor characterization system. A good conductive behavior at room temperature in this electronic device was observed.

Key words: Molecular junction, Molecular device, 4,4'-Azopyridine, Electric-field induced self-assembly, Current-voltage characterization