Energy level alignment at metal/organic semiconductor interfaces: "pillow" effect, induced density of interface states, and charge neutrality level

A unified model, embodying the "pillow" effect and the induced density of interface states (IDIS) model, is presented for describing the level alignment at a metal/organic interface. The pillow effect, which originates from the orthogonalization of the metal and organic wave functions, is calculated using a many-body linear combination of atomic orbitals Hamiltonian, whereby electron long-range interactions are obtained using an expansion in the metal/organic wave function overlap, while the electronic charge of both materials remains unchanged. This approach yields the pillow dipole and represents the first effect induced by the metal/organic interaction, resulting in a reduction of the metal work function. In a second step, we consider how charge is transferred between the metal and the organic material by means of the IDIS model: Charge transfer is determined by the relative position of the metal work function (corrected by the pillow effect) and the organic charge neutrality level, as well as by an interface parameter S, which measures how this potential difference is screened. In our approach, we show that the combined IDIS-pillow effects can be described in terms of the original IDIS alignment corrected by a screened pillow dipole. For the organic materials considered in this paper, we see that the IDIS dipole already represents most of the realignment induced at the metal/organic interface. We therefore conclude that the pillow effect yields minor corrections to the IDIS model.     

Charging energy and barrier height of pentacene on Au(111): a local-orbital hybrid-functional density functional theory approach

We analyze the pentacene/Au(111) interface by means of density functional theory (DFT) calculations using a new hybrid functional; in our approach we introduce, in a local-orbital formulation of DFT, a hybrid exchange potential, and combine it with a calculation of the molecule charging energy to properly describe the transport energy gap of pentacene on Au(111). Van der Waals forces are taken into account to obtain the adsorption geometry. Interface dipole potentials are also calculated; it is shown that the metal/pentacene energy level alignment is determined by the potential induced by the charge transfer between the metal surface and the organic material, as described by the induced density of interface states model. Our results compare well with the experimental data.     

Ice growth from supercooled aqueous solutions of benzene, naphthalene, and phenanthrene

Classical molecular dynamics (MD) were performed to investigate the growth of ice from supercooled aqueous solutions of benzene, naphthalene, or phenanthrene. The main objective of this study is to explore the fate of those aromatic molecules after freezing of the supercooled aqueous solutions, i.e., if these molecules become trapped inside the ice lattice or if they are displaced to the QLL or to the interface with air. Ice growth from supercooled aqueous solutions of benzene, naphthalene, or phenanthrene result in the formation of quasi-liquid layers (QLLs) at the air/ice interface that are thicker than those observed when pure supercooled water freezes. Naphthalene and phenanthrene molecules in the supercooled aqueous solutions are displaced to the air/ice interface during the freezing process at both 270 and 260 K; no incorporation of these aromatics into the ice lattice is observed throughout the freezing process. Similar trends were observed during freezing of supercooled aqueous solutions of benzene at 270 K. In contrast, a fraction of the benzene molecules become trapped inside the ice lattice during the freezing process at 260 K, with the rest of the benzene molecules being displaced to the air/ice interface. These results suggest that the size of the aromatic molecule in the supercooled aqueous solution is an important parameter in determining whether these molecules become trapped inside the ice crystals. Finally, we also report potential of mean force (PMF) calculations aimed at studying the adsorption of gas-phase benzene and phenanthrene on atmospheric air/ice interfaces. Our PMF calculations indicate the presence of deep free energy minima for both benzene and phenanthrene at the air/ice interface, with these molecules adopting a flat orientation at the air/ice interface.     

Complete basis set, Gaussian, and hybrid density functional theory evaluation of the proton affinities of water and ammonia

An ab inito computation of reorganization energy for the electron transfer (ET) reactions between metal–benzene and metal ion–benzene complexes is presented. The geometry optimization of the metal–benzene complexes was performed. The metal atoms (or metal ions)– benzene molecule separation distances computed using an ab initio method were found to agree with earlier reported results. Values of reorganization energies using George-Griffith Marcus (GGM) method (the contribution from only diagonal elements of force constant matrix) and Hessian matrix method (including the contribution from both diagonal and off-diagonal elements) were computed. Results of reorganization energy show that the GGM method gives much lower values compared to those obtained using the Hessian method, suggesting that the coupling interactions between different vibrational modes are important to the inner-sphere reorganization energy for the ET reactions in gaseous phase.     

Reduction of aryl halides at transition metal cathodes. Conditions for aryl–aryl bond formation: The Ullmann's reaction revisited

The cathodic reduction of some aryl halides ArX (1-naphthyl halides NpI and NpBr, iodo benzene and bromobenzene PhI and PhBr taken as model substrates) was achieved essentially in propylene carbonate (PC) considered for its high dielectric permittivity. Different electrode materials such as copper, silver, palladium, silver palladium alloy and nickel were used. Such conditions permit the activation of the C–X bond by metal (the step featuring similarity with Ullmann's reaction). Electron transfer to organometallic intermediates generated at the metal interface activates the formation of Ar–Ar linkages often in good yields, especially in the case of aryl iodides.     

4-(1,2-二苯基)乙烯基-4’-(N,N-二苯基-4-乙烯基苯胺基)联苯及其二氟取代衍生物的电子结构与光谱性质

分别采用B3LYP/6-31G(d)和CIS/6-31G(d)方法对4-(1,2-二苯基)乙烯基-4’-(N,N-二苯基-4-乙烯基苯胺基)联苯(A)及其二氟取代衍生物(B-F)的基态(S0)和单重激发态(S1)的几何构型进行了全优化, 计算获得了电离势IP、电子亲和势EA等相关数据, 并采用含时密度泛函(TD-DFT)方法计算了上述化合物的电子吸收和荧光发射光谱. 研究结果表明, 化合物A及二氟取代衍生物B-F在469-474 nm蓝光区域主发射峰的强度远远大于372-387 nm范围的次发射峰, 说明此类化合物具有纯度较高的发射光谱; 主链苯环上的二氟取代(B, C和D)使最低空轨道(LUMO)能级明显降低, 有利于提高电子注入; 芳胺基苯环上的二氟取代(D和E)使分子最高占据轨道(HOMO)能级明显降低, 电离势增加, 能隙变大, 有利于抑制空穴越过发光层向电子传输层输运, 减少界面处激基复合物的形成, 同时起到光谱蓝移的效果; 既是主链苯环上也是芳胺基苯环上的二氟取代衍生物D更有利于平衡电子-空穴的注入, 应该具有更加优良的发光性质.     

A stochastic evolution model for residue Insertion-Deletion Independent from Substitution

We develop here a new class of stochastic models of gene evolution based on residue Insertion-Deletion Independent from Substitution (IDIS). Indeed, in contrast to all existing evolution models, insertions and deletions are modeled here by a concept in population dynamics. Therefore, they are not only independent from each other, but also independent from the substitution process. After a separate stochastic analysis of the substitution and the insertion-deletion processes, we obtain a matrix differential equation combining these two processes defining the IDIS model. By deriving a general solution, we give an analytical expression of the residue occurrence probability at evolution time t as a function of a substitution rate matrix, an insertion rate vector, a deletion rate and an initial residue probability vector. Various mathematical properties of the IDIS model in relation with time t are derived: time scale, time step, time inversion and sequence length. Particular expressions of the nucleotide occurrence probability at time t are given for classical substitution rate matrices in various biological contexts: equal insertion rate, insertion-deletion only and substitution only. All these expressions can be directly used for biological evolutionary applications. The IDIS model shows a strongly different stochastic behavior from the classical substitution only model when compared on a gene dataset. Indeed, by considering three processes of residue insertion, deletion and substitution independently from each other, it allows a more realistic representation of gene evolution and opens new directions and applications in this research field.     

Reactivity of (eta(6)-arene)tricarbonylchromium complexes toward additions of anions, cations, and radicals.

A computational and experimental study of additions of electrophiles, nucleophiles, and radicals to tricarbonylchromium-complexed arenes is reported. Competition between addition to a complexed arene and addition to a noncomplexed arene was tested using 1,1-dideuterio-1-iodo-2-((phenyl)tricarbonylchromium)-2-phenylethane. Reactions under anionic and cationic conditions give exclusive formation of 1,1-dideuterio-1-((phenyl)tricarbonylchromium)-2-phenylethane arising from addition to the complexed arene. Radical conditions (SmI(2)) afford two isomeric products, reflecting a 2:1 preference for radical addition to the noncomplexed arene. In contrast, intermolecular radical addition competition experiments employing ketyl radical addition to benzene and (benzene)tricarbonylchromium show that addition to the complexed aromatic ring is faster than attack on the noncomplexed species by a factor of at least 100,000. Density functional theory calculations using the B3LYP method, employing a LANL2DZ basis set for geometry optimizations and a DZVP2+ basis set for energy calculations, for all three reactive intermediates showed that tricarbonylchromium stabilizes all three types of intermediates. The computational results for anionic addition agree well with established chemistry and provide structural and energetic details as reference points for comparison with the other reactive intermediates. Intermolecular radical addition leads to exclusive reaction on the complexed arene ring as predicted by the computations. The intramolecular radical reaction involves initial addition to the complexed arene ring followed by an equilibrium leading to the observed product distribution due to a high-energy barrier for homolytic cleavage of an exo bond in the intermediate cyclohexadienyl radical complex. Mechanisms are explored for electrophilic addition to complexed arenes. The calculations strongly favor a pathway in which the cation initially adds to the metal center rather than to the arene ring.     

The preparation and some reactions of 2, 3, 5, 6-tetrachlorophenylmagnesium chloride

The reaction of pentachlorobenzene with metallic magnesium in THF at 10–15°C gives after hydrolysis 1, 2, 4, 5-tetrachlorobenzene (76%) and pentachlorobenzene (8%); after trimethylsilylation, 1, 2, 4, 5-tetrachloro-3-(trimethylsilyl)benzene (74%), pentachloro(trimethylsilyl)benzene (8%) and 1, 2, 4, 5-tetrachlorobenzene (6%); after iodination, 1, 2, 4, 5-tetrachloroiodobenzene (44%), pentachloroiodobenzene (12%) and 1, 2, 4, 5-tetrachlorobenzene (9%); and finally after carbonation, 2, 3, 5, 6-tetrachlorobenzoic acid (58%). These products indicate that in the Grignard reaction a mixture of largely 2, 3, 5, 6-tetrachlorophenylmagnesium chloride and some pentachlorophenylmagnesium chloride is formed. The formation pentachlorophenylmagnesium chloride is explained on the basis of metal—hydrogen exchange reaction between 2, 3, 5, 6-tetrachlorophenylmagnesium chloride and the unreacted pentachlorobenzene.     

Spectroscopic evidence for the influence of the benzene sites on tightly bound H2 in metal-organic frameworks with unsaturated metal centers: MOF-74-cobalt

The role of low binding energy sites on the adsorption of H(2) in metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with unsaturated metal centers has not been identified. For instance, the importance of the benzene sites on H(2) adsorption at the metal site in MOF-74 has not been established. We report here experimental evidence that unambiguously shows that the internal mode of H(2) adsorbed at the metal site undergoes both a frequency shift and a marked change in its dynamic dipole moment when H(2) is adsorbed at the next nearest neighbor "benzene" site in MOF-74-Co. The effect of loading (i.e., occupation of all benzene sites) also induces spectroscopic shifts in H(2) at the metal site. These interactions highlight the role of lower binding energy sites in H(2) adsorption.     

Adsorption, mobility, and dimerization of benzaldehyde on Pt(111)

Building on results for the adsorption of benzene on Pt(111), the adsorption of benzaldehyde is investigated using density functional theory. Benzaldehyde is found to chemisorb preferentially with its aromatic ring in the flat-lying bridge geometry that is also preferred for benzene. Across the investigated geometries, adsorption is homogeneously weakened compared to corresponding benzene geometries. This is found to be true for very different adsorption modes, namely, η(6) and η(8) modes, the latter having metal atoms inserted in the carbonyl bond. Reorientation and diffusion of benzaldehyde is found to have low energy barriers. Aggregation of molecules in dimers bound by aryl C-H···O hydrogen bonds is investigated, and specific configurations are found to be up to 0.15 eV more favorable than optimally configured, separated adsorbates. The binding is significantly stronger than what is found for gas phase dimers, suggesting an enhancing effect of the metal interaction.     

Interface formation of metals and poly(p-phenylene vinylene): surface species and band bending

We used X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS) to investigate the surface species of poly(p-phenylene vinylene) (PPV) and its interface formation with Ca and Al. PPV surfaces compositions varied with sample preparation. For relatively "clean'' surfaces with 4–5% O, analysis of the O 1s peak revealed four types of oxygen species, namely carbonyl (C=O), hydroxyl (C–OH), ether (C–O–C) and the carboxylic groups (HO–C=O). The oxygen groups, excluding ether, reacted with Al or Ca to form the corresponding metal oxides. Chemical interactions between the metals and the phenylene and vinylene units to yield new species were not detected. For sulfur-free surfaces, a C 1s peak shift of +0.5 eV followed the deposition of 15–30 Å of Ca on PPV. For sulfur-containing surfaces, the C 1s peak shift was −0.5 eV. We attribute this difference to the interaction of metal atoms with the sulfur impurities. For Al/PPV, a C 1s peak shift occurred at <2 Å of Al deposition and reached a constant value of about +0.4 eV after ⪅8 Å of Al. Again, the direction of the peak shift depended on the presence of sulfur impurities. We attribute the C 1s peak shifts to surface band bending and to Schottky barrier formation. Since surface oxidation of PPV can inhibit band-bending, our overall results suggest that the barrier height at the metal/PPV interface is highly sensitive to the surface preparation and relatively insensitive to the work function of the metals. The shift seen by XPS in the C 1s core level spectra of PPV points clearly to charge transfer and Schottky barrier formation at the interface as a result of metal deposition. These results imply that the metal/polymer interface is not rigid and that triangular barrier tunneling fails to take into account the effect of barrier formation. We propose a band-bending modified tunneling (BBMT) model to explain charge transfer at the Ca/polymer interface. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Cross-section energy dependence of the [C6H6-M]+ adduct formation between benzene molecules and alkali ions (M = Li, Na, K)

The association reactions of benzene molecules with alkali ions M(+) (Li(+), Na(+) and K(+)) under single collision conditions have been studied using a radiofrequency-guided-ion-beam apparatus and mass spectrometry characterization of the different adducts. Cross-section energy dependences for [M-C(6)H(6)](+) adduct formation have been measured at collision energies up to 1.20 eV in the center of mass frame. All excitation functions decrease when collision energy increases, showing the expected behaviour for barrierless reactions. From ab initio chemical structure calculations at the MP2(full) level, the formation of the adducts makes evident the alkali ion-benzene non-covalent chemical bond. The cross-section energy dependence and the role of radiative cooling rates and unimolecular decomposition on the stabilization of the energized collision complex are also discussed.     

Light-Induced Reaction of Benzene with Carbonates

We found an ultraviolet (UV)-light induced formation of biphenyl and sodium benzoate from benzene and sodium carbonate. The reaction happens in the interface of benzene and aqueous solution at the room temperature. After 5 h of UV-light exposure, 11.4% of initial amount of 4.4 g (5.0 mL) benzene are converted to biphenyl and sodium benzoate, which are distributed in benzene and aqueous solution, respectively. Using density function theory (DFT) and time dependent DFT, we have investigated the mechanism of this light-induced reaction, and found that the sodium carbonate is not only a reactant for the formation of sodium benzoate, but also a catalyst for the formation of biphenyl.     

Formation and photodissociation of M(+)-C(6)H(6) (M(+) = V(+) and Ta(+)) and Ta(+)-C(6)H(4) complexes in a time-of-flight mass spectrometer

A series of cyclic hydrocarbons were introduced to react with V(+) and Ta(+) using a pulsed beam expansion source in a time-of-flight mass spectrometer. The third-row metal Ta(+) displayed high reactivity in dehydrogenation to form benzyne complexes, whereas benzene complexes were the terminal products for V(+). M(+)-C(6)H(6) (M(+) = V(+) and Ta(+)) and Ta(+)-C(6)H(4) were selected to perform the photodissociation experiments. In contrast to the V(+) fragment formation via simple cleavage of the V(+)-C(6)H(6) bond, a photoinduced loss of C(2)H(2) occurred in both the Ta(+)-C(6)H(6) and Ta(+)-C(6)H(4) complexes. Plausible explanations involved in the formation of Ta(+)-C(6)H(6) and Ta(+)-C(6)H(4) complexes are given for observing such photo-induced dissociation. The observed photodissociation in Ta(+)-C(6)H(6) is analogous to the dissociative process previously investigated in metal ion-molecule reactions. The photodissociation spectrum of Ta(+)-C(6)H(4) was obtained by recording the appearance of Ta(+)-C(4)H(2) as a function of wavelength and yielded a dissociation energy of 91 +/- 1 kcal mol(-1).     

Pulsed-field ionization electron spectroscopy of group 6 metal (Cr, Mo, and W) bis(benzene) sandwich complexes

Group 6 metal bis(benzene) sandwich complexes (M-bz(2): M=Cr, Mo, and W and bz=C(6)H(6)) were produced with laser vaporization molecular beam techniques and studied by pulsed-field ionization zero electron kinetic energy spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations. Each sandwich complex is in a D(6h) eclipsed configuration with (1)A(1g) and (2)A(1g) as the neutral and cationic ground electronic states, respectively. The adiabatic ionization energies for Cr-, Mo-, and W-bz(2) are measured to be 44,081(7), 44,581(10), and 43,634(7) cm(-1), respectively. The metal-benzene stretch and benzene torsion frequencies of the ion are measured to be 264, 277, and 370 cm(-1) and 11, 21, and 45 cm(-1) for Cr-, Mo-, and W-bz(2), respectively. In addition, a C-H out-of-plane bending mode is measured to be 787 cm(-1) for the Cr(+)-bz(2) complex, while a C-C in-plane bending mode is measured to be 614 cm(-1) for the W(+)-bz(2) complex. The unusual trend in the ionization energy and metal-benzene stretch frequency indicates strong relativistic effects on tungsten binding.     

On the triplet state of poly(N-vinylcarbazole)

Triplet state properties including transient triplet absorption spectrum, intersystem crossing yields in solution at room temperature and phosphorescence spectra, quantum yields and lifetimes at low temperature as well as singlet oxygen yields were obtained for poly(N-vinylcarbazole) (PVK) in 2-methyl-tetrahydrofuran (2-MeTHF), cyclohexane or benzene. The results allow the determination of the energy value for the lowest lying triplet state and also show that triplet formation and deactivation is a minor route for relaxation of the lowest excited singlet state of PVK. In addition, they show the triplet state is at higher energy than reported heavy metal dopants used for electrophosphorescent devices, such that if this is used as a host it will not quench their luminescence.     

Graphitic Carbon Nitride (g‐C3N4): An Interface Enabler for Solid‐State Lithium Metal Batteries

Solid‐state Li metal batteries (SSLMBs) have attracted considerable interests due to their promising energy density as well as high safety. However, the realization of a well‐matched Li metal/solid‐state electrolyte (SSE) interface remains challenging. Herein, we report g‐C₃N₄ as a new interface enabler. We discover that introducing g‐C₃N₄ into Li metal can not only convert the Li metal/garnet‐type SSE interface from point contact to intimate contact but also greatly enhance the capability to suppress the dendritic Li formation because of the greatly enhanced viscosity, decreased surface tension of molten Li, and the in situ formation of Li₃N at the interface. Thus, the resulting Li‐C₃N₄|SSE|Li‐C₃N₄ symmetric cell gives a significantly low interfacial resistance of 11 Ω cm² and a high critical current density (CCD) of 1500 μA cm^?2. In contrast, the same symmetric cell configuration with pristine Li metal electrodes has a much larger interfacial resistance (428 Ω cm²) and a much lower CCD (50 μA cm^?2).     

H-ZSM-5分子筛上苯与乙醇和乙烯烷基化反应的理论研究

采用ONIOM2(B3LYP/6-31G(d):UFF)计算方法研究了H-ZSM-5分子筛上苯与乙醇和乙烯烷基化反应历程.选取40T簇模型模拟了H-ZSM-5分子筛位于孔道交叉点的酸性位.从生成能和反应活化能角度分析并比较了苯与乙醇和乙烯烷基化反应机理.结果表明,苯与乙醇的烷基化按照分步机理进行,速控步骤的活化能为170.34 kJ/mol.而乙烯作为烷基化剂与苯反应时同时存在联合机理和分步机理,且二者之间存在一定程度的竞争,其中联合机理的活化能为167.24 kJ/mol,分步机理速控步骤的活化能为155.20 kJ/mol.比较苯与乙醇和乙烯发生烷基化反应的机理可以看出,二者作为烷基化试剂对烷基化反应性能影响不大.     

Graphitic Carbon Nitride (g-C3N4): An Interface Enabler for Solid-State Lithium Metal Batteries

Solid-state Li metal batteries (SSLMBs) have attracted considerable interests due to their promising energy density as well as high safety. However, the realization of a well-matched Li metal/solid-state electrolyte (SSE) interface remains challenging. Herein, we report g-C₃N₄ as a new interface enabler. We discover that introducing g-C₃N₄ into Li metal can not only convert the Li metal/garnet-type SSE interface from point contact to intimate contact but also greatly enhance the capability to suppress the dendritic Li formation because of the greatly enhanced viscosity, decreased surface tension of molten Li, and the in situ formation of Li₃N at the interface. Thus, the resulting Li-C₃N₄|SSE|Li-C₃N₄ symmetric cell gives a significantly low interfacial resistance of 11 Ω cm² and a high critical current density (CCD) of 1500 μA cm⁻². In contrast, the same symmetric cell configuration with pristine Li metal electrodes has a much larger interfacial resistance (428 Ω cm²) and a much lower CCD (50 μA cm⁻²).