Photovoltaic Behaviour of Titanyl Phthalocyanine Thin Films and Titania Bilayer Films

Summary: Titanyl phthalocyanine (TiOPc) thin films were prepared using evaporation and surface polymerization by ion-assisted deposition (SPIAD) in a vacuum deposition system. These films were characterized by means of ultraviolet and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy as well as UV/Vis absorption spectroscopy. Valence band and elemental content indicated that phthalocyanine electronic and chemical structures were largely preserved during SPIAD. Further, bilayer thin films of titania (TiO₂) and SPIAD TiOPc were prepared. TiO₂ film was deposited by reactive magnetron sputtering of TiO₂ target. Study of the structured samples was focused on the optical and electrical properties of the composite films. The films were characterized by non-contact photovoltage measurements and UV-Vis spectroscopy. These results suggest there is a possibility to use these bilayer thin films in photovoltaic solar cells, however further experiments to improve conductivity of the films will be required.     

Effect of molecule-substrate interaction on thin-film structures and molecular orientation of pentacene on silver and gold

Evaporated pentacene thin films with thicknesses from several nm to 150 nm on gold and silver substrates have been studied by ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS), near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS), scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). It was found that pentacene thin-film structures, particularly their molecular orientations, are strongly influenced by the metal substrates. UPS measurements revealed a distinct change in the valence band structures of pentacene on Au compared to those on Ag, which is attributed to the different packing between adjacent molecules. Using NEXAFS, we observed 74+/-5 degrees and 46+/-5 degrees molecular tilt angles on Ag and Au, respectively, for all measured thicknesses. We propose that pentacene molecules stand up on the surface and form the "thin-film phase" structure on Ag. On Au, pentacene films grow in domains with molecules either lying flat or standing up on the substrate. Such a mixture of two crystalline phases leads to an average tilt angle of 46 degrees for the whole film and the change in valence band structures. STM and distance-voltage (z-V) spectroscopy studies confirm the existence of two crystalline phases on Au with different conducting properties. z-V spectra on the low conducting phase clearly indicate its nature as "thin-film phase".     

Surface polymerization by ion-assisted deposition for polythiophene film growth

Cationic polymerization is induced at the gas-solid interface by hyperthermal organic cations coincident on a surface with a thermal beam of organic monomers. This process, termed surface polymerization by ion-assisted deposition (SPIAD), produces films that maintain the chemical structure of the monomer. A polythiophene film is produced here by SPIAD with 100 eV thiophene ions and terthiophene monomers coincident on Si and indium tin oxide (ITO) substrates held under vacuum. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy observes enhancement in film growth for SPIAD compared with either thiophene ion or terthiophene exposure alone. Polythiophene films grown by both mass-selected and nonmass-selected ions with coincident terthiophene dosing both display similar fluorescence intensities at two wavelengths characteristic of emission from films of the terthiophene monomer. Raman spectra of films from nonmass-selected ions display several vibrations also observed in terthiophene films. Ions therefore play a critical role in film growth from nonmass-selected ions, in addition to any radical or photochemically driven processes that may also occur.     

The electronic structure and adsorption geometry of L-histidine on Cu(110)

The adsorption of L-histidine on clean and oxygen-covered Cu(110) surfaces has been studied by soft X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy. The valence band spectra, carbon, nitrogen and oxygen 1 s XPS and N K edge absorption spectra were measured for submonolayer, monolayer, and multilayer films. The spectra provide a detailed picture of the electronic structure and adsorption geometry at each coverage. In the monolayer, the histidine molecules are randomly oriented, in contrast to the submonolayer regime, where the molecules are coordinated to the copper surface with the imidazole functional group nearly parallel to, and strongly interacting with, the surface. The pi*/sigma* intensity ratio in NEXAFS spectra at the nitrogen edge varies strongly with angle, showing the imidazole ring is oriented. Adsorption models are proposed.     

Growth of novel polythiophene and polyphenyl films via surface polymerization by ion-assisted deposition

Surface polymerization by ion-assisted deposition (SPIAD) is used here to grow novel polythiophene and polyphenyl thin films on a silicon surface by hyperthermal, mass-selected thiophene cations coincident with a thermal beam of alpha-terthiophene or p-terphenyl neutrals. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) observes a large enhancement in film growth for SPIAD compared with either thiophene ions or alpha-terthiophene exposure alone. Changes in S/Si and C/Si ratios from XPS, direct observation of higher polymerization products by mass spectrometry, characteristic vibrations in the Raman data, and enhanced stability in a vacuum all indicate that 200 eV SPIAD polythiophene films are most efficiently polymerized at a 1/150 ion/neutral ratio. Other ion/neutral ratios are less efficient at film growth, in the order 1/150 > 1/450 > 1/900 > direct ion deposition > 1/50. Changes in C/Si ratios and higher polymerization products indicate polymerization occurs in SPIAD polyphenyl films grown with a 1/100 ion/neutral ratio. Furthermore, thiophene ions are found to incorporate into some, but not all, of the polymerization products observed in mass spectrometry.     

Morphology of polythiophene and polyphenyl films produced via surface polymerization by ion-assisted deposition

Conducting polymer films are grown by either mass-selected or non-mass-selected, hyperthermal thiophene ions coincident on a surface with a thermal beam of organic monomers of either alpha-terthiophene (3T) or p-terphenyl (3P) neutrals. Previous experiments verified polymerization of both 3T and 3P by 200 eV C(4)H(4)S(+) during surface polymerization by ion-assisted deposition (SPIAD). A wide variety of structures are observed by scanning electron microscopy to form in the SPIAD polythiophene and polyphenyl films. These structures include microscale islands, lamellar structures, fractal-like growth patterns, and nanoscale crystallites. Some of the deposited films diffract X-rays while others show electron micrographs of crystallites. The variation of these patterns with deposition conditions clearly indicate that ion-induced polymerization mediates film morphology through control of ion energy and ion/neutral ratio. Furthermore, these ion-assisted events mediate important thermal processes such as sublimation.     

Surface state and composition of a disperse Pd catalyst after its exposure to ethylene

Pd black was exposed to ethylene alone or in its mixture with hydrogen at 300 and 573 K. The samples were investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS). Room temperature introduction of C(2)H(4) (also in the presence of H(2)) induced a binding-energy (BE) shift in the Pd 3d doublet and changed its full width at half-maximum (fwhm). The UPS features indicate shifting of electrons from the Pd d-band to Pd-H, Pd-C, and even Pd-OH species. Vinylidene (BE approximately 284.1 eV) may be the most abundant individual surface species on disperse Pd black, along with carbon in various stages of polymerization: "disordered C" (BE approximately 284 eV), graphite (approximately 284.6 eV), and ethylene polymer (approximately 286 eV), and also some "atomic" C (BE approximately 283.5 eV). Introduction of H(2) followed by ethylene brought about stronger changes in the state of Pd than exposure in the reverse sequence. This may indicate that the presence of some surface C may hinder the decomposition of bulk PdH. Formation of Pd hydride was blocked when ethylene was introduced prior to H(2). The C 1s intensity increased, the low-binding-energy C components disappeared, and graphitic carbon (BE approximately equal to 284.6 eV) prevailed after ethylene treatment at 573 K. The loss of the Pd surface state and "PdH" signal were observed in the corresponding valence band and UPS spectra. Hydrogen treatment at 540 K was not able to decrease the concentration of surface carbon and re-establish the near-surface H-rich state. UPS showed overlayer-type C in these samples. The interaction of Pd with components from the feed gas modified its electronic structure that is consistent with lattice strain induced by dissolution of carbon and hydrogen into Pd, as indicated by the d-band shift and the dilution of the electron density at E(F).     

Multiple Coordination of CO on Molybdenum Nanoparticles: Evidence for Intermediate Mox(CO)y Species by XPS and UPS

CO chemisorption on the metallic molybdenum nanoparticles supported on the thin alumina film was investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS). A binary compound of molybdenum and CO is found to be formed on the surface upon CO dose, accompanied with a positive binding energy shift of the Mo 3d doublet and a localized Mo 4d valence band. A loose packing of the metallic molybdenum favors the formation of this intermediate Mox(CO)y species. The formation of the Mox(CO)y species implies that the property of the metallic molybdenum nanoparticles on the thin alumina film is much different from that of the bulk molybdenum, indicating a significant nanometer size effect.     

Electronic structure of the surface of the ionic liquid [EMIM][Tf(2)N] studied by metastable impact electron spectroscopy (MIES), UPS, and XPS

The near-surface electronic structure of the room-temperature ionic liquid (RT-IL) 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([EMIM][Tf(2)N]) has been investigated with the combination of the electron spectroscopies metastable impact electron spectroscopy (MIES), ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS (HeI and HeII)), and monochromatized X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). We find that the top of the valence band states originates from states of the cation (see also ref 1). The ultimately surface-sensitive technique MIES proves that the surface layer consists of both cations and anions. The temperature dependence of the spectra has been measured between about 160 and 610 K. Information on the glass transition and the possibility for low-temperature distillation of [EMIM][Tf(2)N] at reduced pressures is derived from the present results.     

低介电常数聚喹啉衍生物薄膜的合成与表征

采用等离子体聚合技术合成了一种新型的低介电常数聚喹啉衍生物薄膜: 聚3-氰基喹啉(PP3QCN)薄膜. 借助于傅里叶变换红外光谱(FT-IR)、紫外-可见(UV-Vis)吸收光谱、X光电子能谱(XPS)和原子力显微镜(AFM)对薄膜结构进行了系统表征. 结果表明, 等离子体聚合条件对沉积膜的化学结构、表面组成、膜形态以及介电性能均有影响. 在较低的等离子体放电功率(10 W)条件下, 可得到具有较高芳环保留率和较大π-共轭体系的高质量聚3-氰基喹啉薄膜材料; 而在较高功率(25 W)条件下, 聚合过程中会出现比较严重的单体分子破碎, 形成较多非π-共轭体系的聚合物, 从而导致聚3-氰基喹啉的共轭度降低. 聚3-氰基喹啉薄膜的介电性能测试结果表明, 低放电功率(10 W)条件下制得的聚3-氰基喹啉薄膜具有比较低的介电常数值, 仅为2.45.     

Electronic Energy Structure of TiCu and Ti2Cu

The electronic energy structure (EES) of the valence band in tetragonal TiCu and Ti₂Cu was studied experimentally and theoretically. The experimental study of valence band EES was carried out by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The calculations were performed in terms of the cluster version of multiple scattering theory in a self-consistent field approximation. The results are compared with X-ray emission spectroscopy data available in the literature. The density of state curves agree well with spectroscopic data. The major contribution to XPS is from the copper d-states. The specifics of chemical bonding in the compounds leading to the observed changes in the shape of the valence band X-ray photoelectron spectra are discussed.     

Work function and negative electron affinity of ultrathin barium fluoride films

Thin films of barium fluorides with different thicknesses were deposited on GaAs substrate by electron beam evaporation. The aim of the work was to identify the best growth conditions for the production of coatings with a low work function suitable for the anode of hybrid thermionic-photovoltaic (TIPV) devices. The chemical composition and work function φ of the films with different thicknesses were investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS). The lowest value of φ = 2.1 eV was obtained for the film with a thickness of ~2 nm. In the valence band spectra of the films at low kinetic energy, near the cutoff, a characteristic peak of negative electron affinity was present. This effect contributed to a further reduction of the film's work function.     

Functional K-doping of eumelanin thin films: density functional theory theory and soft x-ray spectroscopy experiments in the frame of the macrocyclic protomolecule model

We demonstrate the possibility to achieve the doping of eumelanin thin films through K(+) incorporation during the electrodeposition of the film. K-doping changes the optical properties of the eumelanin thin films, reducing the energy gap from 1.0 to 0.6 eV, with possible implications for the photophysical properties. We have identified the doping-related occupied and unoccupied electronic states and their spectral weight using resonant photoemission spectroscopy (ResPES) and x-ray absorption at the C and N K-edges (near edge x-ray absorption fine spectroscopy, NEXAFS). All data are consistently interpreted by ab initio calculations of the electronic structure within the frame of the macrocycle model developed for the eumelanin protomolecule. Our analysis puts in evidence the intercalation of K with one specific oligomer (a tetramer composed of one indolequinone and 3 hydroquinone monomers) in correspondence of the nitrogen macrocycle. The predicted variation of the tetramer spacing is also in agreement with the recent x-ray diffraction experiments. The charge donation from K to N and C atoms gives rise to new electronic states at the top of the valence band and in NEXAFS resonances of the unoccupied orbitals. The saturation of the tetramer macrocycles leaves an excess of K that bind to N and C atoms in alternative configurations, as witnessed by the occurrence of additional spectral features in the carbon-related ResPES measurements.     

Structural and chemical characterization of monofluoro-substituted oligo(phenylene-ethynylene) thiolate self-assembled monolayers on gold

Monolayers of oligo(phenylene-ethynylene) (OPE) molecules have exhibited promise in molecular electronic test structures. This paper discusses films formed from a novel molecule within this class, 2-fluoro-4-phenylethynyl-1-[(4-acetylthio)phenylethynyl]benzene (F-OPE). The conditions of self-assembled monolayer (SAM) formation were systematically altered to fabricate reproducible high-quality molecular monolayers from the acetate-protected F-OPE molecule. Detailed characterization of the F-OPE monolayers was performed by using an array of surface probes, including reflection absorbance infrared spectroscopy (RAIRS), contact angle (CA) measurements, spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). XPS and RAIRS established that the SAM formed without removal of the F substituent and without oxidation of the thiol. The monolayer thickness, determined from SE and AFM based nanolithography, was consistent with the formation of a densely packed monolayer. The valence electronic structure of the SAM was consistent with an aromatic structure shifted by the electron-withdrawing fluorine substituent and intermolecular coupling within an oriented array of molecules.     

Temporal evolution of benzenethiolate SAMs on Cu(100)

The structure and thermal stability of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of benzenethiolate (BT) on Cu(100) have been studied by means of thermal desorption spectroscopy (TDS), scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), low-energy electron diffraction (LEED), UV photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and near-edge X-ray adsorption fine structure spectroscopy (NEXAFS). Vapor deposition at room temperature yields a well-ordered, densely packed c(6 × 2) saturation structure. At room temperature, this film is, however, metastable and transforms via partial decomposition by cleavage of the S-C bond into a less densely packed layer that reveals a coexisting p(2 × 2) phase. Such a transition occurs on a time scale of several days and is accompanied by a reduction of the work function change with respect to the bare Cu(100) surface from Δ? = -0.9 eV for a freshly prepared saturated layer to -0.5 eV for an aged film. TDS experiments exhibit the presence of two distinct desorption channels (dissociative and intact desorption) occurring at different temperatures that reflects a variation of the local Cu-S interaction strength of BT at differently coordinated adsorption sites. Heating to above room temperature causes a rapid degradation and continuous thinning of BT films whereas above 500 K all thiolate species have desorbed or dissociated, leaving a sulfide overlayer behind that is accompanied by a substrate reconstruction. Interestingly, the upright orientation of BT adopted in the saturated monolayer remains almost identical upon heating and demonstrates the absence of downward tilting upon thermally induced thinning of the film.     

Cr掺杂金红石相TiO2(110)单晶薄膜的制备、表征及光催化活性

采用脉冲激光沉积术(PLD)同质外延生长了表面原子级平整的6%(原子比)Cr 掺杂的金红石相TiO₂(110)单晶薄膜, 采用扫描隧道显微镜(STM)、扫描隧道谱(STS)、X 射线光电子能谱(XPS)和紫外光电子能谱(UPS)对其进行了表征. 结果表明: Cr 掺杂对TiO₂(110)-(1×1)表面的形貌没有明显影响, 但是提高了掺杂薄膜在负偏压的导电性; Cr与晶格O键合而呈现+3价态, 由此在TiO₂的价带顶上方~0.4 eV处引入杂质能级. 紫外-可见光吸收谱显示薄膜的光吸收能力被扩展到~650 nm, 处于可见光范围. 借助STM以单个甲醇分子的光解反应检测了薄膜的光催化活性. 仅观察到紫外光照射下甲醇分子的脱氢反应, 在可见光照射下(λ>430 nm)甲醇分子没有发生反应, 表明单独的Cr掺杂可能不足以提高TiO₂在可见光下的催化活性.     

An X-ray spectroscopy study of CdS nanoparticles formed by the Langmuir–Blodgett technique on the surface of carbon nanotube arrays

The composition and electronic structure of cadmium sulfide (CdS) nanoparticles formed by the Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) technique on clean silicon wafers and the surface of vertically aligned carbon nanotube (CNT) arrays are studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy. The samples were annealed in a vacuum at 175 °C and 225 °C to remove the organic matrix of the LB film. From the analysis of the XPS data the increased concentration of sulfate groups on the surface of CdS nanoparticles formed on CNTs and the electron density transfer from CdS to CNTs are determined. An increase in the LB film annealing temperature causes an increase in the degree of crystallinity and the CdS crystallite size and a decrease in the photoluminescence intensity of a CdS–CNT hybrid.     

Adsorption states of dialkyl ditelluride autooxidized monolayers on Au(111)

Organic ditellurides (R2Te2 where R = n-butyl (C4), n-octyl (C8), and n-cetyl (C16)) were synthesized, and their adsorption states after oxidation on Au(111) surfaces were studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS), theoretical analyses, near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) measurements, contact angle measurements, and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The obtained results show that dialkyl ditellurides form autooxidized monolayers (AMs) on the surfaces under ambient conditions and that the oxidation process is accelerated by ambient light. XPS, UPS, and theoretical analyses suggest that the autooxidized ditelluride species consist of polymers or oligomers with Te-O-Te-O network structures stabilized by oxygen bridges between tellurium molecules following the cleavage of tellurium-gold bonds. NEXAFS and contact angle measurements indicate that the average tilt angles of the alkyl chains from the surface normal are smaller for the AMs of dialkyl ditellurides having longer alkyl chains. AFM measurements show defects and roughness features around a few angstroms in height on the surfaces of the dialkyl ditelluride AMs.     

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic studies of the oxidation of aluminium by liquid water monitored in an anaerobic cell

The oxidation of clean polycrystalline aluminium foil was performed in a previously described anaerobic cell and studied by core level and valence band X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Oxide free sample surfaces were exposed under inert atmosphere at room temperature to increasingly oxidative environments of water vapor and liquid water beginning with an oxide free metal foil each time. Minor oxidative environments were found to produce a film of boehmite with a thinner outer film of gibbsite. Harsher oxidation in liquid water resulted in an oxide film much thicker than that found on the as received sample which contained an inner composition of gamma alumina with an outer film of gibbsite. As expected, the oxide film observed for ultra high purity polycrystalline aluminiurm foil in the as received state was gibbsite. The valence band of the cleaned metal is discussed in terms of residual surface species. The evaluation and determination of these residual surface species is evaluated following an analysis of two different band structure calculations which use different d orbital exponents. It is found that while the density of states is almost unaltered by changes in the d exponent, the predicted spectrum is substantially changed. The work makes extensive use of valence band X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.     

X-ray spectroscopy study of lithiated graphite obtained by thermal deposition of lithium

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray emission spectroscopy (XES), and near edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy are used for in situ studies of the electronic structure of lithiated natural graphite produced by thermal deposition of lithium upon graphite in a vacuum. By XPS and NEXAFS spectroscopy it is found that lithium vapor thermal deposition results in the formation of a lithiated graphite surface layer and a change in its electronic structure. Based on the quantum chemical simulation of the experimental СK_α XES spectrum of lithiated graphite, it is found that lithium atoms are located mostly on the edges of graphite crystallites. Atomic force microscopy reveals that the size of natural graphite flakes varies from 50 nm to 200 nm.