Surface state engineering of molecule-molecule interactions

Engineering the electronic structure of organics through interface manipulation, particularly the interface dipole and the barriers to charge carrier injection, is of essential importance to improve organic devices. This requires the meticulous fabrication of desired organic structures by precisely controlling the interactions between molecules. The well-known principles of organic coordination chemistry cannot be applied without proper consideration of extra molecular hybridization, charge transfer and dipole formation at the interfaces. Here we identify the interplay between energy level alignment, charge transfer, surface dipole and charge pillow effect and show how these effects collectively determine the net force between adsorbed porphyrin 2H-TPP on Cu(111). We show that the forces between supported porphyrins can be altered by controlling the amount of charge transferred across the interface accurately through the relative alignment of molecular electronic levels with respect to the Shockley surface state of the metal substrate, and hence govern the self-assembly of the molecules.     

C6H6/Au(111): interface dipoles, band alignment, charging energy, and van der Waals interaction

We analyze the benzene/Au(111) interface taking into account charging energy effects to properly describe the electronic structure of the interface and van der Waals interactions to obtain the adsorption energy and geometry. We also analyze the interface dipoles and discuss the barrier formation as a function of the metal work-function. We interpret our DFT calculations within the induced density of interface states (IDIS) model. Our results compare well with experimental and other theoretical results, showing that the dipole formation of these interfaces is due to the charge transfer between the metal and benzene, as described in the IDIS model.     

Interface configuration effects on excitation,exciton dissociation,and charge recombination in organic photovoltaic heterojunction

The morphology of donor-acceptor heterojunction interface significantly affects the electron/hole processes in organic solar cells, including charge transfer (CT), exciton dissociation (ED), and charge recombination (CR). Here, to investigate interface molecular configuration effects, the donor-acceptor complexes with face-on, edge-on, and end-on configurations were constructed as model systems for the p-SIDT(FBTTh₂)₂/C₆₀ heterojunction. The geometries, electronic structures, and excitation properties of monomers and the complexes with three configurations were studied based on density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT calculations with optimally tuned range separation parameters and solid polarization effects. In terms of Marcus theory, the rate constants of ED and CR processes were analyzed. The results show that most of the excited states for p-SIDT(FBTTh₂)₂ exhibit an intramolecular CT character, and the similarity of the excitation characters (CT and local excitation) and energies among three complexes with different configurations indicate that the electronic structure and excitation properties are insensitive to the interfacial molecular configurations. However, the rates of ED and CR processes heavily depend on it. These results underline the importance of controlling molecular configuration and then the morphology at the heterojunction interface in organic solar cells.     

Characterization of the interface dipole at organic/ metal interfaces

In organics-based (opto)electronic devices, the interface dipoles formed at the organic/metal interfaces play a key role in determining the barrier for charge (hole or electron) injection between the metal electrodes and the active organic layers. The origin of this dipole is rationalized here from the results of a joint experimental and theoretical study based on the interaction between acrylonitrile, a pi-conjugated molecule, and transition metal surfaces (Cu, Ni, and Fe). The adsorption of acrylonitrile on these surfaces is investigated experimentally by photoelectron spectroscopies, while quantum mechanical methods based on density functional theory are used to study the systems theoretically. It appears that the interface dipole formed at an organic/metal interface can be divided into two contributions: (i) the first corresponds to the "chemical" dipole induced by a partial charge transfer between the organic layers and the metal upon chemisorption of the organic molecules on the metal surface, and (ii) the second relates to the change in metal surface dipole because of the modification of the metal electron density tail that is induced by the presence of the adsorbed organic molecules. Our analysis shows that the charge injection barrier in devices can be tuned by modulating various parameters: the chemical potential of the bare metal (given by its work function), the metal surface dipole, and the ionization potential and electron affinity of the organic layer.     

中心核对四硫富瓦烯端基星型分子结构和性质的影响

采用密度泛函理论方法对以四硫富瓦烯(TTF)为端基、 苯乙烯为桥的5种不同中心核(富电子核: 氮、 三聚咔唑及三聚吲哚; 缺电子核: 三嗪及三聚喹喔啉)构成的星型三支D-π-A型化合物的几何结构、 电子吸收光谱及电荷转移性质进行了研究. 结果表明, 通过改变中心核的类型, 可有效调节LUMO能级, 改变能隙的大小. 电荷差分密度及跃迁密度矩阵分析结果表明, 两支内的TTF端基与核到共轭桥链的电荷转移跃迁及少量的π→π^*跃迁对高能吸收带有贡献; 缺电子核化合物的低能吸收峰主要是TTF端基到桥链和中心核的电荷转移跃迁贡献, 不同于富电子核化合物明显的TTF贡献的支内定域电荷转移跃迁. 重组能计算表明, 除化合物NST(中心核为氮)外, 其余4个化合物的空穴重组能(λ_h)与电子重组能(λ_e)相当, 中心核为三聚咔唑的化合物CST重组能相对较小.     

A surface science approach to cathode/electrolyte interfaces in Li-ion batteries: Contact properties,charge transfer and reactions

Reactions and charge transfer at cathode/electrolyte interfaces affect the performance and the stability of Li-ion cells. Corrosion of active electrode material and decomposition of electrolyte are intimately coupled to charge transfer reactions at the electrode/electrolyte interfaces, which in turn depend on energy barriers for electrons and ions. Principally, energy barriers arise from energy level alignment at the interface and space charge layers near the interface, caused by changes of inner electric (Galvani) potential due to interfacial dipoles and concentration profiles of electronic and ionic charge carriers.In this contribution, we introduce our surface science oriented approach using photoemission (XPS, UPS) to investigate cathode/electrolyte interfaces in Li-ion batteries. After an overview of the processes at cathode/electrolyte interfaces as well as currently employed analysis methods, we present the fundamentals of contact potential formation and energy level alignment (electrons and ions) at interfaces and their analysis with photoemission. Subsequently, we demonstrate how interface analysis can be employed in Li-ion battery research, yielding new and valuable insights, and discuss future benefits.     

Energy‐level alignment at metal–organic and organic–organic interfaces

This article reports on the electronic structure at interfaces found in organic semiconductor devices. The studied organic materials are C₆₀ and poly (para‐phenylenevinylene) (PPV)‐like oligomers, and the metals are polycrystalline Au and Ag. To measure the energy levels at these interfaces, ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy has been used. It is shown how the energy levels at interfaces deviate from the bulk. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that the vacuum levels do not align at the studied interfaces. The misalignment is caused by an electric field at the interface. Several effects are presented that influence the energy alignment at interfaces, such as screening effects, dipole layer formation, charge transfer, and chemical interaction. The combination of interfaces investigated here is similar to interfaces found in polymer light‐emitting diodes and organic bulk heterojunction photovoltaic devices. The result, the misalignment of the vacuum levels, is expected to influence charge‐transfer processes across these interfaces, possibly affecting the electrical characteristics of organic semiconductor devices that contain similar interfaces. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 41: 2549–2560, 2003     

Resonance Raman and UV–vis characterization of charge transfer complexes of TCNQ and aromatic amines

Although the molecular charge transfer complexes formed by 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) and several different donors have been widely investigated in the past, in this paper it is shown for the first time the vibrational spectroscopic characterization of the complexes formed by TCNQ and the simplest series of substituted anilines in solution. The UV–vis spectra indicate the formation of TCNQ complexes stabilized by two aromatic amines in a sandwich π type complex. It was observed that the charge transfer transition energies of the complexes follow a linear correlation with the ionization potential of the amines. The resonance Raman spectra revealed, by the analysis of the ν(CC) and ν(CN) stretching modes of TCNQ, that the complexes keep their neutral character in the ground electronic state, and not as a TCNQ²⁻ dianion species as reported before. The observed enhancement of the TCNQ bands as the amine donor capacity increases, confirmed the charge transfer nature of the electronic transitions. The DFT and TDDFT results were obtained and the theoretical Raman and electronic spectra data supported the experimental findings. The results of the model systems presented herein can contribute to a deep understanding of the photoinduced charge transfer process in complexes of TCNQ, which is a key step in the designing of organic molecular devices.     

Neurotransmitter Biomolecule Transfers Across Liquid/Liquid Interface Through A Thick Organic Membrane-Modified Electrode

Electrochemical studies at liquid/liquid interfaces (L/L, or soft interfaces) have disclosed a biomimetic model to mimic charge transfers at cytomembrane surface. Herein, we reported two neurotransmitter biomolecules of dopamine and adrenalone across the L/L interface by a thick organic membrane-modified electrode. This system comprised polarized electrode/oil and oil/water interfaces in series in which the electron transfer (ET) of redox 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) at electrode/oil interface drove ion transfer (IT) of biomolecules at oil/water interface. This ET-IT coupled reaction overcame the limitation of polarized potential window at conventional single polarized L/L interface. The crucial design of a thick organic membrane could ensure the generated TCNQ anions maintained at electrode/oil interface during the voltammetry, which could not result in interruptions to biomolecule transfers. Through this system, their Gibbs transfer free energies were accurately determined (44.4 and 39.4 kJ mol^?1 for dopamine and adrealone, respectively). Moreover, facilitated biomolecule transfers were evaluated by crown ionophores where both facilitated numbers and constants were determined simultaneously. Owing to the simple electrochemical setup, this system would hold great potentials in future hydrophilic biomacromolecule transfers, such as DNA, peptides and proteins.     

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.     

Energy level alignment at interfaces between 3-(4-biphenylyl)-4-phenyl-5-(4-tert-butyl phenyl)-1, 2, 4-triazole (TAZ) and metals (Ca,Mg, Ag,and Au): experiment and theory

We have performed ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy measurements and density functional theory calculations to study the electronic structure at the interface between organic semiconductor (3-(4-biphenylyl)-4-phenyl-5-(4-tert-butyl phenyl)-1,2,4-triazole (TAZ)) and metals (Ca, Mg, Ag, and Au). The basic mechanism of interface states at organic–metal interfaces can be understood by controlling the injection of charge carriers at these interfaces. The position of highest occupied molecular orbital relative to the Fermi level and the magnitude of the interface dipole are measured for each organic–metal interface. For TAZ on Ca, Mg, and Ag, interface states are observed near the Fermi level. However, no interface state is observed for TAZ on Au. It is analyzed qualitatively that the interface state is formed due to interaction of TAZ lowest unoccupied molecular orbital composed of C2p and metal s levels. It is suggested that the interface state plays an important role in charge transport at the interface. The mechanism of formation of interface states and electrical properties are discussed.     

Asymmetric Acceptor–Donor–Acceptor Polymers with Fast Charge Carrier Transfer for Solar Hydrogen Production

Construction of local donor–acceptor architecture is one of the valid means for facilitating the intramolecular charge transfer in organic semiconductors. To further accelerate the interface charge transfer, a ternary acceptor–donor–acceptor (A₁-D-A₂) molecular junction is established via gradient nitrogen substituting into the polymer skeleton. Accordingly, the exciton splitting and interface charge transfer could be promptly liberated because of the strong attracting ability of the two different electron acceptors. Both DFT calculations and photoluminescence spectra elucidate the swift charge transfer at the donor-acceptor interface. Consequently, the optimum polymer, N₃-CP, undergoes a remarkable photocatalytic property in terms of hydrogen production with AQY_{405 nm}=26.6 % by the rational design of asymmetric molecular junctions on organic semiconductors.     

A first-principles study of ultrathin nanofilms of MgO-supported TiN

As a first step towards a microscopic understanding of supported ultrathin nanofilms of TiN, we present state-of-the-art density-functional theory (DFT) calculations to investigate the interfacial properties of the TiN/MgO system as a function of film thickness. Optimized atomic geometries, energetics, and analysis of the electronic structure of the TiN/MgO systems are reported. In particular, we find that the work function of 1 ML of TiN(100) on MgO(100) exhibits a significant decrease, rationalized by the large surface dipole moment formation due to the changes in charge densities at the interface of this system. This decrease in the work function of TiN/MgO systems (as compared to pristine MgO(100) surface) could well benefit their application in metal-oxide-semiconductor devices as an ideal gate-stack material.     

Thin Films and Interfaces of Electroactive Organic Materials: The Surface Science Approach

 We highlight the importance of interfacial properties in determining the performance of devices based on electroactive organic materials. Investigations of the interfaces of benzene with Al(111) and In₂O₃ are presented as a model of interface properties for devices based on complex aromatic molecules. At both interfaces the binding is shown to be electrostatic, with the resulting interface dipole determining the band alignment. It is also argued that chemical modification of substrates can be used to tailor both electronic and structural properties.     

Conductive Organic Complex Salt TTF‐TCNQ as a Mediator for Biosensors. An Overview

Preparation and application of a conductive organic salt complex of tetrathiafulvalene‐tetracyanoquinodimethane (TTF‐TCNQ) for analytical bioelectrochemistry as a mediator is overviewed in this work. The third‐generation biosensors based on this charge transfer salt are very promising for biosensors applied in vivo. Such mediated biosensors have been studied mainly for glucose determination, but at present other substrates are being applied in this system more and more often.     

Synthesis and properties of novel unsymmetrical donor molecules containing p-acetoxy- or p-hydroxyphenyl units

We report the synthesis and properties of eight new tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) derivatives containing two different functionalities, prepared with the aim of obtaining stable organic materials. The four acetoxyphenyl- and four hydroxyphenyl TTFs were synthesized via Wittig-type condensations. The electrochemical properties of these redox-active molecules were studied by cyclic voltammetry. Charge transfer complexes with tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) were prepared by chemical redox reactions. The complexes have been proven to give conducting materials. The UV-VIS and IR spectra of the TCNQ salts were recorded and used to characterize and estimate the degree of charge transfer of these complexes.     

Synthesis and characterization of a novel terthiophene-based quinodimethane bearing a 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene central unit

The synthesis and a combined spectroscopic and density functional theoretical characterization of a 3',4'-ethylenedioxy-5,5' '-bis(dicyanomethylene)-5,5' '-dihydro-2,2':5',2' '-terthiophene analogue of 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) are presented. Electrochemical data show that this novel trimer can be both reversibly reduced and oxidized at relatively low potentials. Quantum-chemical calculations show that the compound exhibits a quinoidal structure in its ground electronic state and that a certain degree of intramolecular charge transfer takes place from the central terthienyl moiety toward both =C(CN)2 end-caps. Therefore, the amphoteric redox behavior of this novel material can be related to the coexistence of an electron-impoverished terthienyl core endowed by two electron-enriched =C(CN)2 substituents. The UV-vis spectrum is dominated by the appearance of a strong absorption near 660 nm, attributable to the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) --> lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) pi-pi electronic transition of the terthienyl spine on the basis of time-dependent density functional theory (DFT) computations. The DFT calculations performed on the minimum-energy molecular geometry about the equilibrium atomic charge distribution, topologies, and energies of the frontier orbitals around the gap and about the Raman-active vibrations associated with the strongest Raman features are also consistent with a rather effective pi-electron conjugation and the partial degree of intramolecular charge transfer mentioned above. Our study reveals this novel heteroquinoid trimer could act as a promising candidate in organic field-effect transistor (OFET) applications.     

四硫代富瓦烯及其CT复合物导电LB膜

通过Langmuir-Blodgett（LB）技术制备导电性有机超薄膜近年来受到了广泛的关注，导电LB膜的膜材料主要是含有电子受体77’，8，8’一四氨基二亚甲基本自（TCN则的电行转移（CT）复合物间以及给体分子特别是四流代宫瓦烯衍生物［‘刮.在以前的工作中，我们曾报导了四等基硫四硫     

Electrochemical and spectrophotometrical investigation of the electron-accepting strength of organic superelectrophiles: X-ray structure of their charge transfer complexes with tetrathiafulvalene

Nitro Benzoxadiazoles (benzofurazans), benzoxadiazoles-N-oxide (benzofuroxans) and benzothiadiazoles are ranked amongst the strongest electrophiles known to date. In the past twenty years, their propensity to act as electron organic acceptors has been less studied. In this paper, we report on the study of their electrochemical behavior and on the structural characterization of charge transfer complexes (CTC) deriving from their interaction with tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) derivatives, both in solution and in the solid state. The first half wave reduction potentials (E(1/2)(I)) associated with a reversible monoelectronic transfer process of a large set of nitro substituted benzoxadiazoles (benzofurazans), benzoxadiazoles-N-oxide (benzofuroxans) and benzothiadiazoles have been determined through a detailed electrochemical approach in acetonitrile with a microelectrode network using the ferrocene as an internal reference potential in this electrochemical study. Determination of the electron affinity (EA(CT)) of this series of substituted electrodeficient heteroaromatics as well as their LUMO energy was performed using the Charge Transfer Spectroscopic (CTS) method in solution and by DFT calculations, respectively. The use of the correlation EA(CT) versus the reversible half wave potential (E(1/2)(I)) appears to be a useful tool to estimate readily the E(1/2)(I) or EA(CT) values when they cannot be experimentally determined. The diffusion coefficient of these electrophiles has, for the first time, been determined in acetonitrile. These air stable electrodeficient heteroaromatics have been explored as potential new organic acceptors in the formation of charge transfer (CT) complexes with TTF derivatives. Crystallographic data of two CT complexes with TTF (especially the C-C and C-S bond lengths of the TTF moieties) indicate that these complexes exhibit weak electron delocalization and that both molecules remain neutral. Their resulting levels of charge transfer were probed using UV-visible, IR spectroscopy and by DFT calculations.     

A first principle study of the structural,vibrational and electronic properties of tetrathiafulvalene adsorbed on Ag(110) and Au(110) surfaces

We have studied the adsorption properties of a charge donor organic molecule, tetrathiafulvalene (TTF), on the (110) surfaces of silver and gold by means of the generalized gradient approach of the density functional theory using periodic slab models. This molecule is the core building block of a host of molecular materials exhibiting extremely reach phase diagrams with a variety of ground states. The interfaces formed with metallic surfaces have received only limited attention, despite of their relevance. We have determined the stable adsorption sites for two unit cells representing high and low coverage, which are determinant for the adsorption properties of TTF on the surface. The preferential chemisorption is via the direct interaction of sulfur atoms with the Ag or Au atoms on top sites. All adsorbed TTF are more stable than gas phase TTF. The simulation of the vibrational spectra has permitted us to find the fingerprints of these structures to characterize them on this surface. The donor nature of TTF induces charge transfer to the metallic surfaces. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2010