Modern devices such as organic light emitting diodes use organic/oxide and organic/metal interfaces for crucial processes such as charge injection and charge transfer. Understanding fundamental physical processes occurring at these interfaces is essential to improving device performance. The ultimate goal of studying such interfaces is to form a predictive model of interfacial interactions, which has not yet been established. To this end, this thesis focuses on obtaining a better understanding of fundamental physical interactions governing molecular self-assembly and electronic energy level alignment at organic/metal and organic/oxide interfaces. This is accomplished by investigating both the molecular adsorption geometry using scanning tunneling microscopy, as well as the electronic structure at the interface using direct and inverse photoemission spectroscopy, and analyzing the results in the context of first principles electronic structure calculations. First, we study the adsorption geometry of zinc tetraphenylporphyrin (ZnTPP) molecules on three noble metal surfaces: Au(111), Ag(111), and Ag(100). These surfaces were chosen to systematically compare the molecular self-assembly and adsorption behavior on two metals of the same surface symmetry and two surface symmetries of one metal. From this investigation, we improve the understanding of self-assembly at organic/metal interfaces and the relative strengths of competing intermolecular and molecule-substrate interactions that influence molecular adsorption geometry. We then investigate the electronic structure of the ZnTPP/Au(111), Ag(111), and Ag(100) interfaces as examples of weakly-interacting systems. We compare these cases to ZnTPP on TiO2(110), a wide-bandgap oxide semiconductor, and explain the intermolecular and molecule-substrate interactions that determine the electronic energy level alignment at the interface. Finally we study tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ), a strong electron acceptor, on TiO2(110), which exhibits chemical hybridization accompanied by molecular distortion, as well as extreme charge transfer resulting in the development of a space charge layer in the oxide. Thus, we present a broad experimental and theoretical perspective on the study of organic/metal and organic/oxide interfaces, elucidating fundamental physical interactions that govern molecular organization and energy level alignment.

Reviewing recent progress in the fundamental understanding of the molecule-metal interface, this useful addition to the literature focuses on experimental studies and introduces the latest analytical techniques as applied to this interface. The first part covers basic theory and initial principle studies, while the second part introduces readers to photoemission, STM, and synchrotron techniques to examine the atomic structure of the interfaces. The third part presents photoelectron spectroscopy, high-resolution UV photoelectron spectroscopy and electron spin resonance to study the electronic structure of the molecule-metal interface. In the closing chapter the editors discuss future perspectives. Written as a senior graduate or senior undergraduate textbook for students in physics, chemistry, materials science or engineering, the book's interdisciplinary approach makes it equally relevant for researchers working in the field of organic and molecular electronics.

Endlich ein Fachbuch mit detaillierten Informationen zu einer der fortschrittlichsten Methoden zur Materialcharakterisierung. Ein herausragendes Team aus Herausgebern und Autoren von renommierten Einrichtungen und Institutionen beschäftigt sich mit Synchrotron-Verfahren, die sich in der Materialforschung bewährt haben. Nach einer Einführung in die Synchrotronstrahlung und ihrer Quellen werden die verschiedenen Techniken beschrieben, die von diesem besonders hellen Licht profitieren, u. a. Röntgenabsorption, Diffraktion, Streuung, Bildgebung und Lithographie. Zum Schluss folgt ein Überblick über die Anwendungen der Synchrotronstrahlung in den Materialwissenschaften. Dieses einzigartige, unabdingbare Referenzwerk für akademische Forscher und Forscher aus der Industrie verbindet Spezialisten aus der Synchrotronforschung und Materialwissenschaftler.

Metal Oxide Nanoparticles in Organic Solvents discusses recent advances in the chemistry involved for the controlled synthesis and assembly of metal oxide nanoparticles, the characterizations required by such nanoobjects, and their size and shape depending properties. In the last few years, a valuable alternative to the well-known aqueous sol-gel processes was developed in the form of nonaqueous solution routes. Metal Oxide Nanoparticles in Organic Solvents reviews and compares surfactant- and solvent-controlled routes, as well as providing an overview of techniques for the characterization of metal oxide nanoparticles, crystallization pathways, the physical properties of metal oxide nanoparticles, their applications in diverse fields of technology, and their assembly into larger nano- and mesostructures. Researchers and postgraduates in the fields of nanomaterials and sol-gel chemistry will appreciate this book’s informative approach to chemical formation mechanisms in relation to metal oxides.

Key topics in this publication include semiconductor photochemistry and photoelectrochemistry, dye-sensitized solar cells and photocatalytic treatment of chemical waste. It discusses the commercialization and solar energy conversion of DSSC and the photocatalytic oxidation of air contaminants.

This book primarily covers the fundamental science, synthesis, characterization, optoelectronic properties, and applications of metal oxide nanomaterials. It discusses the basic aspects of synthetic procedures and fabrication technologies, explains the related experimental techniques and also elaborates on the current status of nanostructured oxide materials and related devices. Two major aspects of metal oxide nanostructures – their optical and electrical properties – are described in detail. The first five chapters focus on the optical characteristics of semiconducting materials, especially metal oxides at the nanoscale. The following five chapters discuss the electrical properties observed in metal oxide-based semiconductors and the status quo of device-level developments in a variety of applications such as sensors, transistors, dilute magnetic semiconductors, and dielectric materials. The basic science and mechanism behind the optoelectronic phenomena are explained in detail, to aid readers interested in the structure–property symbiosis in semiconducting nanomaterials. In short, the book offers a valuable reference guide for researchers and academics in the areas of material science and semiconductor technology, especially nanophotonics and electronics.