The influence of an intramolecular proton transfer reaction on theconductance of a molecular junction is investigated employing a generic model,which includes the effects of the electric field of the gate and leadselectrodes and the coupling to a dissipative environment. Using a quantummaster equation approach it is shown that, depending on the localization of theproton, the junction exhibits a high or low current state, which can becontrolled by external electric fields. Considering different regimes, whichrange from weak to strong hydrogen bonds in the proton transfer complex andcomprise situations with high and low barriers, necessary preconditions toachieve control are analyzed. The results show that systems with a weakhydrogen bond and a significant energy barrier for the proton transfer can beused as molecular transistors or diodes.
展开▼
