Fig. 1

Experimental method. a Molecular structure of PDI8-CN₂. b Scheme of the mechanically controlled break-junction set-up. Inset, colorized scanning electron microscopy (SEM) image of the central gold constriction. c Individual breaking traces of molecular junctions after the deposition of a droplet of the PDI8-CN₂/dichloromethane solution onto the MCBJ device. For sake of clarity, the curves were shifted on the x-axis