Adding new functions to organic semiconductor nanowires by assembling metal nanoparticles onto their surfaces

We report a new class of organic–inorganic hybrid nanostructures prepared by decorating small-molecule single-crystal organic nanowires with gold, platinum, and palladium nanoparticles. We demonstrate that field-effect transistors can be fabricated from the hybrid nanostructures with a mobility and current on/off ratio of 0.01 cm2V−1 s−1 and ∼103, respectively. To further illustrate the applicability of the hybrid nanowires, we carried out simple hydrogenation reactions to demonstrate their catalytic properties. Combined, our results open the possibility of utilizing the hybrid nanomaterials for a multitude of applications in areas such as bio- and chemical sensing, catalysis, and nanoelectronics.