Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) formed from Z-β-[N-(ω-acetylthioalkyl)-4-quinolinium]-α-cyano-4-styryldicyanomethanide (1) on gold-coated highly oriented pyrolytic graphite exhibit asymmetric current–voltage characteristics that are independent of the length of the linking group [Au-S-CnH2n-Q3CNQ where 3 ≤
 				n
 				≤ 12]. The contribution to the electrical asymmetry arising from the chromophore being asymmetrically located between the electrodes is negligible compared to that induced by the non-planar donor–(π-bridge)–acceptor moiety. Current rectification ratios of 30 at ±1 V are typical (cf. 8 for C16H33-Q3CNQ Langmuir–Blodgett films) but also fall within the range 10 to 80 at ±1 V. Molecular dimensions within the film are consistent with the D–π–A chromophores being upright and closely packed: the thickness increases with the length of the linking CnH2n group and areas of 0.33 ± 0.03 nm2 molecule−1 approximate to the van der Waals cross-section of the chromophore.
                                    在
金涂层高取向热解石墨上形成的、由Z-β-[N-(ω-乙酰
硫代烷基)-4-
喹啉季]-α-
氰基-4-
苯乙烯基二
氰亚甲基(1)组成之自组装单层膜,展现出了与连接基团长度无关的非对称电流-电压特性[Au-S-CnH2n-Q3CNQ,其中3 ≤ n ≤ 12]。相比于由非平面给体-(π桥)-受体部分诱导的电性不对称,发色团非对称地位于电极间所产生的电性不对称贡献可以忽略不计。典型情况下,在±1 V的电压下,电流整流比为30(对比
C16H33-Q3CNQ朗缪尔-布洛杰特膜的8),但在±1 V下也落在10到80的范围内。膜内分子尺寸与D-π-A发色团直立且紧密排列的情况一致:厚度随着连接CnH2n基团的长度增加而增加,而每分子0.33 ± 0.03 nm²的面积接近于发色团的范德华横截面。