Charge Transport in 2D DNA Tunnel Junction Diodes

Recently, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is studied for electronics due to its intrinsic benefits such as its natural plenitude, biodegradability, biofunctionality, and low‐cost. However, its applications are limited to passive components because of inherent insulating properties. In this report, a metal–insulator–metal tunnel diode with Au/DNA/NiOx junctions is presented. Through the self‐aligning process of DNA molecules, a 2D DNA nanosheet is synthesized and used as a tunneling barrier, and semitransparent conducting oxide (NiOx) is applied as a top electrode for resolving metal penetration issues. This molecular device successfully operates as a nonresonant tunneling diode, and temperature‐variable current–voltage analysis proves that Fowler–Nordheim tunneling is a dominant conduction mechanism at the junctions. DNA‐based tunneling devices appear to be promising prototypes for nanoelectronics using biomolecules. The combination of the synthesized 2D DNA nanosheets, and semitransparent conducting oxide (NiOx) as a top electrode, results in the successful operation of a nonresonant tunneling diode, while temperature‐variable current–voltage analysis proves that Fowler–Nordheim tunneling is a dominant conduction mechanism. DNA‐based tunneling is a promising prototype approach for nanoelectronics using biomolecules.