Break-junction measurements at electrochemical interface: From electron transport to molecular adsorption and reaction process

In this short review, recent advances in electrochemical gating of electron transport across single-molecule junctions using STM and mechanically controllable break-junction techniques are discussed from two perspectives: emerging molecular materials and quantum interference manipulation. Indeed, break-junction measurements have been recently developed to explore the single-molecule physics and chemistry. Recent advances in probing molecular adsorption and reaction processes at solid/liquid interfaces using break-junction techniques are discussed. Such single-molecule measurements provide a uniform opportunity to detect molecular information including metal-molecule interaction, surface coverage and adsorption free energy, interfacial acid−base chemistry, and reaction processes. Raman measurements may also complete the picture provided by single molecule experiments.