Hongliang Chen | Zhejiang University

RESEARCH SUMMARY

Our research group focuses on the interdisciplinary field of molecular electronics and supramolecular chemistry, aiming to design and construct functional molecular-scale devices and circuits. We employ a combination of synthetic chemistry, single-molecule characterization techniques, and theoretical modeling to investigate charge transport phenomena at the nanoscale.

Our current research directions include:

Supramolecular Electronics

We focus our attention on providing a supramolecular-level understanding of charge transport behaviour associated with non-covalent interaction, as well as demonstrating experimental readiness of single-supermolecule electronics for potential applications.

Supramolecular Reactions

We are using single-molecule techniques to investigate electron and electric-field catalysis, aiming to directly connect insights from nanoscale STM studies with macroscopic electrocatalytic processes.

Supramolecular Circuits

We are aiming to establish the core components for single-molecule electronics, i.e., conductors, switches, and memories, with the goal of ultimately progressing to integrated device arrays in the near future.

We utilize advanced techniques such as scanning tunneling microscopy break junction (STM-BJ), electrochemically-gated molecular junctions, and computational methods to characterize and understand the structure-property relationships in molecular electronic systems.

ONGOING PROJECTS

Tunable Multistate Mechanoresistance in a Single-Molecule Junction Incorporating Energy-Dissipative Structures

First authors: Ping Zhou, Jiajun Cao

Article No. 47

This study innovatively proposes energy-dissipative structures as the core design principle for molecular devices, successfully designing and synthesizing a pillar[6]arene macrocyclic molecule that enables programmable multi-state mechanoresistance, solving the problem of bond breakage or performance degradation in traditional force-electric devices due to energy accumulation under cyclic external forces.

本研究创新性地提出将能量耗散结构作为分子器件的核心设计原则，成功设计并合成了一种柱[6]芳烃类环芳烃大环分子，实现了可编程的多态力学开关功能，解决了传统力电器件在循环外力下因能量积累而导致键断裂或性能衰退的问题。

Programmable Charge Transport in a Multichannel Single-Molecule Parallel Circuit

First authors: Ting Pan, Shuyao Zhou, Yifan Ma

Article No. 48

The research team innovatively designed and constructed a "three-channel parallel circuit" single-molecule system. Through mechanical regulation of dynamic synergy between strong and weak coupling channels, they successfully developed programmable, reversible, and high-frequency ternary molecular switches and memory devices with a switching ratio exceeding 10² and a switching frequency of up to 950 Hz.

研究团队创新性地设计并构建了一种"三通道平行电路"单分子体系，通过机械调控实现强耦合与弱耦合通道的动态协同，成功开发出可编程、可逆、高频操作的三元分子开关与存储器件，开关比超过10²，切换频率高达950 Hz。

Single-Electron Catalysis of Reversible Cycloadditions under Nanoconfinement

First authors: Xin Zhu, Hongliang Chen, Jinying Wang, et al.

Article No. 49

At the single-molecule level, reversible single-electron catalyzed cycloaddition reactions were achieved in a positively charged nanoconfined environment, demonstrating that individual electrons combined with supramolecular confinement systems can effectively reduce the energy barriers of both [2+2] and [4+4] cycloaddition reactions, providing new opportunities for constructing high-performance catalytic systems.

在单分子水平下，实现了正电荷纳米限域环境中可逆的单电子催化环加成反应，验证了单个电子与超分子限域体系能够有效降低[2+2]和[4+4]环加成反应的能垒，为构建高性能催化系统提供了新机会。

An Electric Molecular Faraday Cage

First authors: Ping Zhou, Kai Cheng

Article No. 50

A molecular cage with eight positive charges (XCage8+) was designed to efficiently encapsulate perylene diimide (PDI) molecular wires through its large cavity. Experiments verified that this molecular cage possesses excellent electrostatic shielding functionality, providing an important technical approach for developing high-performance molecular electronic devices.

设计了一种带有八个正电荷的分子笼XCage8+，可以通过大尺寸空腔高效封装苝二酰亚胺分子导线，验证了该分子笼具有优异的静电场屏蔽功能，为发展高性能分子电子器件提供重要的技术途径。

Highly Conductive Single-Molecule Junctions through Electrocatalytic Formation of Benzyl-type Au–C Bonds

First authors: Yaxuan Zhang, Kai Qu, Ting Pan

Article No. 51

A novel electrocatalytic method was developed to in situ form stable and highly conductive benzyl-type Au–C covalent bonds at the interface between gold electrodes and organic molecules. This provides a universal strategy for interface engineering in single-molecule electronic devices and promotes development in functional molecular circuits and quantum devices.

开发了一种基于电催化的新方法，成功在金电极与有机分子接触界面原位形成稳定且高导电性的苄基型Au‒C共价键，为单分子电子器件的界面工程提供了通用策略，推动了功能分子电路、量子器件等领域的发展。

Reversible Switching between Noncovalent Interactions in Supramolecular Systems

First author: Ping Zhou

Article No. 33

Successful reversible switching between two noncovalent interactions (π-π stacking and hydrogen bonding) in supramolecular systems was achieved, constructing for the first time a stable and reversible high-performance supramolecular switch device with a working frequency of 190 Hz and a switching ratio of ∼600.

成功实现了超分子体系中两种非共价作用力（π-π堆积和氢键）的可逆切换，首次构建了稳定且可逆的高性能超分子开关器件，工作频率达190 Hz，开关比高达∼600。

π-π Stacked Supramolecular Dimers in Molecular Electronics

First authors: Yaqi Zhang, Yaxuan Zhang

Article No. 45

This review systematically summarizes recent advances in π-π stacked dimers in the field of supramolecular electronics, revealing the molecular mechanisms of non-covalent interaction-regulated quantum transport and forecasting their application potential in nano-electronic devices.

文章系统总结了近期π-π堆积二聚体在超分子电子学领域的前沿进展，揭示了非共价相互作用调控量子传输的分子机制，并展望了其在纳米电子器件中的应用潜力。

The Story of the Little Blue Box: 35 Years of Development and Future Perspectives

Corresponding authors: Fraser Stoddart, Xiaoyang Chen, Hongliang Chen

Article No. 31

This comprehensive review summarizes the 35-year development journey of the tetracationic cyclophane cyclobis(paraquat-p-phenylene), commonly known as the "Little Blue Box," highlighting its unique advantages in constructing complex mechanically interlocked molecules, molecular devices, and molecular machines.

系统总结了紫精对苯撑（俗称Little Blue Box）这一著名分子容器35年来的发展历程，呈现了该分子容器在构建复杂机械互锁分子、分子器件和分子机器中的独特优势，并对其未来发展做出了展望。