The regulation effect of coordination number on the conductance of single-molecule junctions

Combining the STM break junction technique and theoretical simulation, we report that the presence of multiple anchoring sites leads to different configurations of single-molecule junctions by changing the interfacial coordination numbers. These distinct variations in electronic structures cause their conductance to change by about 2500-fold. The molecules with multiple anchoring sites offer opportunities for conductance regulation of single-molecule junctions via a switch between different coordination numbers.