A unified model for metal/organic interfaces: IDIS, ‘pillow’ effect and molecular permanent dipoles

• Published in: Applied surface science Vol. 254; no. 1; pp. 378 - 382
• Main Authors: Vázquez, H., Dappe, Y.J., Ortega, J., Flores, F.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 31.10.2007; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Change neutrality level; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Electrical properties of specific thin films; Electron density of states and band structure of crystalline solids; Electron states; Electronic structure and electrical properties of surfaces, interfaces, thin films and low-dimensional structures; Energy level alignment; Exact sciences and technology; Fermi level pinning; Interface states; Metal/organic interface; Physics; Polymers and organic compounds; Polymers; organic compounds; Surface double layers, schottky barriers, and work functions; 73.61.Ph; Energy level alignment; Fermi level pinning; 71.20.Rv; Metal/organic interface; Interface states; Change neutrality level; 73.30.+y; 73.30.+y; 71.20.Rv; 73.61.Ph; Density of states; Work functions; Energy levels; Fermi level; Unified model; Metal/organic interface; Change neutrality level; Energy level alignment; Fermi level pinning; Interface states
• ISSN: 0169-4332; 1873-5584
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2007.07.047

A unified model, embodying the induced density of interface states (IDIS) model, the reduction of the metal work function due to the adsorbed molecules (‘pillow’ effect) and molecular permanent dipoles, is presented for describing the barrier formation at metal/organic interfaces. While the IDIS model and ‘pillow’ effect have been described in previous approaches, in this paper we show how to introduce molecular permanent dipoles in the interface barrier formation. Examples for Au or Al/organic interfaces are discussed, which show the validity of our results and the generality of our formalism.