2025
|
11. | S. Mearini, D. Brandstetter, Y. Y. Grisan Qiu, D. Baranowski, I. Cojocariu, M. Jugovac, P. Gargiani, M. Valvidares, L. Schio, L. Floreano, A. Windischbacher, P. Puschnig, V. Feyer, C. M. Schneider Substrate Stabilized Charge Transfer Scheme In Coverage Controlled 2D Metal Organic Frameworks Journal Article In: Small, vol. 2500507, 2025. @article{Mearini2025,
title = {Substrate Stabilized Charge Transfer Scheme In Coverage Controlled 2D Metal Organic Frameworks},
author = {S. Mearini and D. Brandstetter and Y. Y. Grisan Qiu and D. Baranowski and I. Cojocariu and M. Jugovac and P. Gargiani and M. Valvidares and L. Schio and L. Floreano and A. Windischbacher and P. Puschnig and V. Feyer and C. M. Schneider},
url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/smll.202500507?af=R},
doi = {10.1002/smll.20250050},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-02-17},
urldate = {2025-02-17},
journal = {Small},
volume = {2500507},
abstract = {Recently, 2D metal-organic frameworks (2D MOFs), characterized by complexcharge transfer mechanisms, have emerged as a promising class of networksin the development of advanced materials with tailored electronic andmagnetic properties. Following the successful synthesis of a 2D MOF formedby nickel (Ni) linkers and 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) ligands,this work investigates how the Ni-to-ligand ratio influences the electroniccharge redistribution in an Ag(100)-supported 2D MOF. The interplaybetween linker-ligand and substrate-MOF charge transfer processes leads to astable equilibrium, resulting in a robust electronic structure that remainsindependent of stoichiometric ratios. This stability is primarily based on theelectron transfer from the metal substrate, which compensates for chargeimbalances introduced by the metal-organic coordination across differentMOF configurations. Despite minor changes observed in the magneticresponse of the Ni centers, these findings emphasize the robustness of theelectronic structure, which remains largely unaffected by structural variations,highlighting the potential of these 2D MOFs for advanced applications inelectronics and spintronics.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Recently, 2D metal-organic frameworks (2D MOFs), characterized by complexcharge transfer mechanisms, have emerged as a promising class of networksin the development of advanced materials with tailored electronic andmagnetic properties. Following the successful synthesis of a 2D MOF formedby nickel (Ni) linkers and 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) ligands,this work investigates how the Ni-to-ligand ratio influences the electroniccharge redistribution in an Ag(100)-supported 2D MOF. The interplaybetween linker-ligand and substrate-MOF charge transfer processes leads to astable equilibrium, resulting in a robust electronic structure that remainsindependent of stoichiometric ratios. This stability is primarily based on theelectron transfer from the metal substrate, which compensates for chargeimbalances introduced by the metal-organic coordination across differentMOF configurations. Despite minor changes observed in the magneticresponse of the Ni centers, these findings emphasize the robustness of theelectronic structure, which remains largely unaffected by structural variations,highlighting the potential of these 2D MOFs for advanced applications inelectronics and spintronics. |
10. | Y. Y. Grisan Qiu, D. Brandstetter, S. Mearini, D. Baranowski, I. Cojocariu, M. Jugovac, G. Zamborlini, P. Gargiani, M. Valvidares, A. Windischbacher, P. Puschnig, V. Feyer, C. M. Schneider Conformation-Driven Nickel Redox States and Magnetism in 2D Metal–organic Frameworks Journal Article In: Adv. Funct. Mater., vol. 2418186, 2025. @article{Qiu2025,
title = {Conformation-Driven Nickel Redox States and Magnetism in 2D Metal–organic Frameworks},
author = {Y. Y. Grisan Qiu and D. Brandstetter and S. Mearini and D. Baranowski and I. Cojocariu and M. Jugovac and G. Zamborlini and P. Gargiani and M. Valvidares and A. Windischbacher and P. Puschnig and V. Feyer and C. M. Schneider},
url = {https://advanced.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/adfm.202418186?af=R},
doi = {10.1002/adfm.202418186},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-01-29},
urldate = {2025-01-29},
journal = {Adv. Funct. Mater.},
volume = {2418186},
abstract = {2D metal–organic frameworks (2D MOFs) attract considerable attention because of their versatile properties and as potential candidates for single-atom catalysis, high-density information storage media or molecular electronics and spintronics devices. Their unique characteristics arise from an intricate interplay between the metal center, the surrounding ligands and the underlying substrate. Here, the intrinsic magnetic and electronic properties of a single-layer MOF on graphene is investigated with a combination of spectroscopic techniques and theoretical modeling. Taking advantage of the weak interaction between the MOF and graphene substrate, it is specifically focused on the influence of the coordination environment on these properties. Notably, two distinct coordination configurations are observed for the transition metal centers within the 2D MOF, and clarify how axial distortions in the ligand field affect the hybridization between the Ni 3d states and the π-symmetric molecular orbitals of 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane ligands, leading to the coexistence of two Ni redox states with different spin configurations. Furthermore, the transition from a nearly free-standing MOF is examined to metal-supported frameworks, elucidating the impact of substrate interactions on the electronic and magnetic properties. The findings advance the understanding of MOFs and offer insights into developing functional materials with tailored magnetic and electronic properties.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
2D metal–organic frameworks (2D MOFs) attract considerable attention because of their versatile properties and as potential candidates for single-atom catalysis, high-density information storage media or molecular electronics and spintronics devices. Their unique characteristics arise from an intricate interplay between the metal center, the surrounding ligands and the underlying substrate. Here, the intrinsic magnetic and electronic properties of a single-layer MOF on graphene is investigated with a combination of spectroscopic techniques and theoretical modeling. Taking advantage of the weak interaction between the MOF and graphene substrate, it is specifically focused on the influence of the coordination environment on these properties. Notably, two distinct coordination configurations are observed for the transition metal centers within the 2D MOF, and clarify how axial distortions in the ligand field affect the hybridization between the Ni 3d states and the π-symmetric molecular orbitals of 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane ligands, leading to the coexistence of two Ni redox states with different spin configurations. Furthermore, the transition from a nearly free-standing MOF is examined to metal-supported frameworks, elucidating the impact of substrate interactions on the electronic and magnetic properties. The findings advance the understanding of MOFs and offer insights into developing functional materials with tailored magnetic and electronic properties. |
2024
|
9. | S. Mearini, D. Baranowski, D. Brandstetter, A. Windischbacher, I. Cojocariu, P. Gargiani, M. Valvidares, L. Schio, L. Floreano, P. Puschnig, V. Feyer, C. M. Schneider Band Structure Engineering in 2D Metal–Organic Frameworks Journal Article In: Advanced Science, vol. 11, iss. 38, no. 2404667, 2024. @article{Mearini2024,
title = {Band Structure Engineering in 2D Metal–Organic Frameworks},
author = {S. Mearini and D. Baranowski and D. Brandstetter and A. Windischbacher and I. Cojocariu and P. Gargiani and M. Valvidares and L. Schio and L. Floreano and P. Puschnig and V. Feyer and C. M. Schneider},
url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/advs.202404667},
doi = {10.1002/advs.202404667},
year = {2024},
date = {2024-08-09},
urldate = {2024-08-09},
journal = {Advanced Science},
volume = {11},
number = {2404667},
issue = {38},
abstract = {The design of 2D metal–organic frameworks (2D MOFs) takes advantage ofthe combination of the diverse electronic properties of simple organic ligandswith different transition metal (TM) centers. The strong directional nature ofthe coordinative bonds is the basis for the structural stability and the periodicarrangement of the TM cores in these architectures. Here, direct and clearevidence that 2D MOFs exhibit intriguing energy-dispersive electronic bandswith a hybrid character and distinct magnetic properties in the metal cores,resulting from the interactions between the TM electronic levels and theorganic ligand 𝝅-molecular orbitals, is reported. Importantly, a method toeffectively tune both the electronic structure of 2D MOFs and the magneticproperties of the metal cores by exploiting the electronic structure of distinctTMs is presented. Consequently, the ionization potential characteristic ofselected TMs, particularly the relative energy position and symmetry of the 3dstates, can be used to strategically engineer bands within specificmetal–organic frameworks. These findings not only provide a rationale forband structure engineering in 2D MOFs but also offer promisingopportunities for advanced material design.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The design of 2D metal–organic frameworks (2D MOFs) takes advantage ofthe combination of the diverse electronic properties of simple organic ligandswith different transition metal (TM) centers. The strong directional nature ofthe coordinative bonds is the basis for the structural stability and the periodicarrangement of the TM cores in these architectures. Here, direct and clearevidence that 2D MOFs exhibit intriguing energy-dispersive electronic bandswith a hybrid character and distinct magnetic properties in the metal cores,resulting from the interactions between the TM electronic levels and theorganic ligand 𝝅-molecular orbitals, is reported. Importantly, a method toeffectively tune both the electronic structure of 2D MOFs and the magneticproperties of the metal cores by exploiting the electronic structure of distinctTMs is presented. Consequently, the ionization potential characteristic ofselected TMs, particularly the relative energy position and symmetry of the 3dstates, can be used to strategically engineer bands within specificmetal–organic frameworks. These findings not only provide a rationale forband structure engineering in 2D MOFs but also offer promisingopportunities for advanced material design. |
8. | W. Bennecke, A. Windischbacher, D. Schmitt, J. P. Bange, R. Hemm, C. S. Kern, G. D’Avino, X. Blase, D. Steil, S. Steil, M. Aeschlimann, B. Stadtmüller, M. Reutzel, P. Puschnig, G. S. M. Jansen, S. Mathias Disentangling the multiorbital contributions of excitons by photoemission exciton tomography Journal Article In: Nature Communications, vol. 15, no. 1804, pp. 10, 2024. @article{Bennecke2024,
title = {Disentangling the multiorbital contributions of excitons by photoemission exciton tomography},
author = {W. Bennecke and A. Windischbacher and D. Schmitt and J. P. Bange and R. Hemm and C. S. Kern and G. D’Avino and X. Blase and D. Steil and S. Steil and M. Aeschlimann and B. Stadtmüller and M. Reutzel and P. Puschnig and G. S. M. Jansen and S. Mathias},
url = {https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-45973-x},
doi = {10.1038/s41467-024-45973-x},
year = {2024},
date = {2024-02-28},
urldate = {2024-02-28},
journal = {Nature Communications},
volume = {15},
number = {1804},
pages = {10},
abstract = {Excitons are realizations of a correlated many-particle wave function, specifi-cally consisting of electrons and holes in an entangled state. Excitons occurwidely in semiconductors and are dominant excitations in semiconductingorganic and low-dimensional quantum materials. To efficiently harness thestrong optical response and high tuneability of excitons in optoelectronics andin energy-transformation processes,access to the full wavefunction of theentangled state is critical, but has so far not been feasible. Here, we show howtime-resolved photoemission momentum microscopy can be used to gainaccess to the entangled wavefunction and to unravel the exciton’s multiorbitalelectron and hole contributions. For the prototypical organic semiconductorbuckminsterfullerene (C60), we exemplify the capabilities of exciton tomo-graphy and achieve unprecedented access to key properties of the entangledexciton state including localization, charge-transfer character, and ultrafastexciton formation and relaxation dynamics.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Excitons are realizations of a correlated many-particle wave function, specifi-cally consisting of electrons and holes in an entangled state. Excitons occurwidely in semiconductors and are dominant excitations in semiconductingorganic and low-dimensional quantum materials. To efficiently harness thestrong optical response and high tuneability of excitons in optoelectronics andin energy-transformation processes,access to the full wavefunction of theentangled state is critical, but has so far not been feasible. Here, we show howtime-resolved photoemission momentum microscopy can be used to gainaccess to the entangled wavefunction and to unravel the exciton’s multiorbitalelectron and hole contributions. For the prototypical organic semiconductorbuckminsterfullerene (C60), we exemplify the capabilities of exciton tomo-graphy and achieve unprecedented access to key properties of the entangledexciton state including localization, charge-transfer character, and ultrafastexciton formation and relaxation dynamics. |
2023
|
7. | A. Windischbacher Investigating Ground and Excited State Properties of Complex Organic/Inorganic Interfaces With Ab-Initio Calculations PhD Thesis 2023. @phdthesis{nokey,
title = {Investigating Ground and Excited State Properties of Complex Organic/Inorganic Interfaces With Ab-Initio Calculations},
author = {A. Windischbacher},
year = {2023},
date = {2023-10-02},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {phdthesis}
}
|
6. | C. S. Kern, A. Windischbacher, P. Puschnig Photoemission orbital tomography for excitons in organic molecules Journal Article In: Phys. Rev. B, vol. 108, pp. 085132, 2023. @article{Kern2023,
title = {Photoemission orbital tomography for excitons in organic molecules},
author = {C. S. Kern and A. Windischbacher and P. Puschnig},
doi = {10.1103/PhysRevB.108.085132},
year = {2023},
date = {2023-08-22},
urldate = {2023-08-22},
journal = {Phys. Rev. B},
volume = {108},
pages = {085132},
abstract = {Driven by recent developments in time-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, we extend the successful method of photoemission orbital tomography (POT) to excitons. Our theory retains the intuitive orbital picture of POT, while respecting both the entangled character of the exciton wave function and the energy conservation in the photoemission process. Analyzing results from three organic molecules, we classify generic exciton structures and give a simple interpretation in terms of natural transition orbitals. We validate our findings by directly simulating pump-probe experiments with time-dependent density functional theory.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Driven by recent developments in time-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, we extend the successful method of photoemission orbital tomography (POT) to excitons. Our theory retains the intuitive orbital picture of POT, while respecting both the entangled character of the exciton wave function and the energy conservation in the photoemission process. Analyzing results from three organic molecules, we classify generic exciton structures and give a simple interpretation in terms of natural transition orbitals. We validate our findings by directly simulating pump-probe experiments with time-dependent density functional theory. |
2022
|
5. | M. Stredansky, S. Moro, M. Corva, H. M. Sturmeit, V. Mischke, D. Janas, I. Cojocariu, M. Jugovac, A. Cossaro, A. Verdini, L. Floreano, Z. Feng, A. Sala, G. Comelli, A. Windischbacher, P. Puschnig, C. Hohner, M. Kettner, J. Libuda, M. Cinchetti, C. M. Schneider, V. Feyer, E. Vesselli, G. Zamborlini Disproportionation of Nitric Oxide at a Surface-Bound Nickel Porphyrinoid Journal Article In: Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., vol. 61, pp. e202201916, 2022. @article{Stredansky2022,
title = {Disproportionation of Nitric Oxide at a Surface-Bound Nickel Porphyrinoid},
author = {M. Stredansky and S. Moro and M. Corva and H. M. Sturmeit and V. Mischke and D. Janas and I. Cojocariu and M. Jugovac and A. Cossaro and A. Verdini and L. Floreano and Z. Feng and A. Sala and G. Comelli and A. Windischbacher and P. Puschnig and C. Hohner and M. Kettner and J. Libuda and M. Cinchetti and C. M. Schneider and V. Feyer and E. Vesselli and G. Zamborlini},
doi = {10.1002/anie.202201916},
year = {2022},
date = {2022-01-01},
journal = {Angew. Chem. Int. Ed.},
volume = {61},
pages = {e202201916},
abstract = {Uncommon metal oxidation states in porphyrinoid cofactors are responsible for the activity of many enzymes. The F430 and P450nor co-factors, with their reduced NiI- and FeIII-containing tetrapyrrolic cores, are prototypical examples of biological systems involved in methane formation and in the reduction of nitric oxide, respectively. Herein, using a comprehensive range of experimental and theoretical methods, we raise evidence that nickel tetraphenyl porphyrins deposited in vacuo on a copper surface are reactive towards nitric oxide disproportionation at room temperature. The interpretation of the measurements is far from being straightforward due to the high reactivity of the different nitrogen oxides species (eventually present in the residual gas background) and of the possible reaction intermediates. The picture is detailed in order to disentangle the challenging complexity of the system, where even a small fraction of contamination can change the scenario.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Uncommon metal oxidation states in porphyrinoid cofactors are responsible for the activity of many enzymes. The F430 and P450nor co-factors, with their reduced NiI- and FeIII-containing tetrapyrrolic cores, are prototypical examples of biological systems involved in methane formation and in the reduction of nitric oxide, respectively. Herein, using a comprehensive range of experimental and theoretical methods, we raise evidence that nickel tetraphenyl porphyrins deposited in vacuo on a copper surface are reactive towards nitric oxide disproportionation at room temperature. The interpretation of the measurements is far from being straightforward due to the high reactivity of the different nitrogen oxides species (eventually present in the residual gas background) and of the possible reaction intermediates. The picture is detailed in order to disentangle the challenging complexity of the system, where even a small fraction of contamination can change the scenario. |
4. | M. S. Sättele, A. Windischbacher, K. Greulich, L. Egger, A. Haags, H. Kirschner, R. Ovsyannikov, E. Giangrisostomi, A. Gottwald, M. Richter, S. Soubatch, F. S. Tautz, M. G. Ramsey, P. Puschnig, G. Koller, H. F. Bettinger, T. Chassé, H. Peisert Hexacene on Cu(110) and Ag(110): Influence of the Substrate on Molecular Orientation and Interfacial Charge Transfer Journal Article In: J. Phys. Chem. C, vol. 126, pp. 5036-5045, 2022. @article{Saettele2022,
title = {Hexacene on Cu(110) and Ag(110): Influence of the Substrate on Molecular Orientation and Interfacial Charge Transfer},
author = {M. S. Sättele and A. Windischbacher and K. Greulich and L. Egger and A. Haags and H. Kirschner and R. Ovsyannikov and E. Giangrisostomi and A. Gottwald and M. Richter and S. Soubatch and F. S. Tautz and M. G. Ramsey and P. Puschnig and G. Koller and H. F. Bettinger and T. Chassé and H. Peisert},
doi = {10.1021/acs.jpcc.2c00081},
year = {2022},
date = {2022-01-01},
journal = {J. Phys. Chem. C},
volume = {126},
pages = {5036-5045},
abstract = {Hexacene, composed of six linearly fused benzene rings, is an organic semiconductor material with superior electronic properties. The fundamental understanding of the electronic and chemical properties is prerequisite to any possible application in devices. We investigate the orientation and interface properties of highly ordered hexacene monolayers on Ag(110) and Cu(110) with X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS), photoemission orbital tomography (POT), X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), low-energy electron diffraction (LEED), scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), and density functional theory (DFT). We find pronounced differences in the structural arrangement of the molecules and the electronic properties at the metal/organic interfaces for the two substrates. While on Cu(110) the molecules adsorb with their long molecular axis parallel to the high symmetry substrate direction, on Ag(110), hexacene adsorbs in an azimuthally slightly rotated geometry with respect to the metal rows of the substrate. In both cases, molecular planes are oriented parallel to the substrate. A pronounced charge transfer from both substrates to different molecular states affects the effective charge of different C atoms of the molecule. Through analysis of experimental and theoretical data, we found out that on Ag(110) the LUMO of the molecule is occupied through charge transfer from the metal, whereas on Cu(110) even the LUMO+1 receives a charge. Interface dipoles are determined to a large extent by the push-back effect, which are also found to differ significantly between 6A/Ag(110) and 6A/Cu(110).},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Hexacene, composed of six linearly fused benzene rings, is an organic semiconductor material with superior electronic properties. The fundamental understanding of the electronic and chemical properties is prerequisite to any possible application in devices. We investigate the orientation and interface properties of highly ordered hexacene monolayers on Ag(110) and Cu(110) with X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS), photoemission orbital tomography (POT), X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), low-energy electron diffraction (LEED), scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), and density functional theory (DFT). We find pronounced differences in the structural arrangement of the molecules and the electronic properties at the metal/organic interfaces for the two substrates. While on Cu(110) the molecules adsorb with their long molecular axis parallel to the high symmetry substrate direction, on Ag(110), hexacene adsorbs in an azimuthally slightly rotated geometry with respect to the metal rows of the substrate. In both cases, molecular planes are oriented parallel to the substrate. A pronounced charge transfer from both substrates to different molecular states affects the effective charge of different C atoms of the molecule. Through analysis of experimental and theoretical data, we found out that on Ag(110) the LUMO of the molecule is occupied through charge transfer from the metal, whereas on Cu(110) even the LUMO+1 receives a charge. Interface dipoles are determined to a large extent by the push-back effect, which are also found to differ significantly between 6A/Ag(110) and 6A/Cu(110). |
2021
|
3. | H. M. Sturmeit, I. Cojocariu, A. Windischbacher, P. Puschnig, C. Piamonteze, M. Jugovac, A. Sala, C. Africh, G. Comelli, A. Cossaro, A. Verdini, L. Floreano, M. Stredansky, E. Vesselli, C. Hohner, M. Kettner, J. Libuda, C. M. Schneider, G. Zamborlini, M. Cinchetti, V. Feyer Room-temperature on-spin-switching and tuning in a porphyrin-based multifunctional interface Journal Article In: Small, vol. 17, pp. 2104779, 2021. @article{Sturmeit2021,
title = {Room-temperature on-spin-switching and tuning in a porphyrin-based multifunctional interface},
author = {H. M. Sturmeit and I. Cojocariu and A. Windischbacher and P. Puschnig and C. Piamonteze and M. Jugovac and A. Sala and C. Africh and G. Comelli and A. Cossaro and A. Verdini and L. Floreano and M. Stredansky and E. Vesselli and C. Hohner and M. Kettner and J. Libuda and C. M. Schneider and G. Zamborlini and M. Cinchetti and V. Feyer},
doi = {10.1002/smll.202104779},
year = {2021},
date = {2021-01-01},
journal = {Small},
volume = {17},
pages = {2104779},
abstract = {Molecular interfaces formed between metals and molecular compounds offer a great potential as building blocks for future opto-electronics and spintronics devices. Here, a combined theoretical and experimental spectro-microscopy approach is used to show that the charge transfer occurring at the interface between nickel tetraphenyl porphyrins and copper changes both spin and oxidation states of the Ni ion from [Ni(II)},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Molecular interfaces formed between metals and molecular compounds offer a great potential as building blocks for future opto-electronics and spintronics devices. Here, a combined theoretical and experimental spectro-microscopy approach is used to show that the charge transfer occurring at the interface between nickel tetraphenyl porphyrins and copper changes both spin and oxidation states of the Ni ion from [Ni(II) |
2. | T. G. Boné, A. Windischbacher, M. S. Sättele, K. Greulich, L. Egger, T. Jauk, F. Lackner, H. F. Bettinger, H. Peisert, T. Chassé, M. G. Ramsey, M. Sterrer, G. Koller, P. Puschnig Demonstrating the Impact of the Adsorbate Orientation on the Charge Transfer at Organic-Metal Interfaces Journal Article In: J. Phys. Chem. C, vol. 125, pp. 9129-9137, 2021. @article{Bone2021,
title = {Demonstrating the Impact of the Adsorbate Orientation on the Charge Transfer at Organic-Metal Interfaces},
author = {T. G. Boné and A. Windischbacher and M. S. Sättele and K. Greulich and L. Egger and T. Jauk and F. Lackner and H. F. Bettinger and H. Peisert and T. Chassé and M. G. Ramsey and M. Sterrer and G. Koller and P. Puschnig},
doi = {10.1021/acs.jpcc.1c01306},
year = {2021},
date = {2021-01-01},
journal = {J. Phys. Chem. C},
volume = {125},
pages = {9129-9137},
abstract = {Charge-transfer processes at molecule–metal interfaces play a key role in tuning the charge injection properties in organic-based devices and thus, ultimately, the device performance. Here, the metal’s work function and the adsorbate’s electron affinity are the key factors that govern the electron transfer at the organic/metal interface. In our combined experimental and theoretical work, we demonstrate that the adsorbate’s orientation may also be decisive for the charge transfer. By thermal cycloreversion of diheptacene isomers, we manage to produce highly oriented monolayers of the rodlike, electron-acceptor molecule heptacene on a Cu(110) surface with molecules oriented either along or perpendicular to the close-packed metal rows. This is confirmed by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) images as well as by angle-resolved ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy (ARUPS). By utilizing photoemission tomography momentum maps, we show that the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) is fully occupied and also, the LUMO + 1 gets significantly filled when heptacene is oriented along the Cu rows. Conversely, for perpendicularly aligned heptacene, the molecular energy levels are shifted significantly toward the Fermi energy, preventing charge transfer to the LUMO + 1. These findings are fully confirmed by our density functional calculations and demonstrate the possibility to tune the charge transfer and level alignment at organic–metal interfaces through the adjustable molecular alignment.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Charge-transfer processes at molecule–metal interfaces play a key role in tuning the charge injection properties in organic-based devices and thus, ultimately, the device performance. Here, the metal’s work function and the adsorbate’s electron affinity are the key factors that govern the electron transfer at the organic/metal interface. In our combined experimental and theoretical work, we demonstrate that the adsorbate’s orientation may also be decisive for the charge transfer. By thermal cycloreversion of diheptacene isomers, we manage to produce highly oriented monolayers of the rodlike, electron-acceptor molecule heptacene on a Cu(110) surface with molecules oriented either along or perpendicular to the close-packed metal rows. This is confirmed by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) images as well as by angle-resolved ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy (ARUPS). By utilizing photoemission tomography momentum maps, we show that the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) is fully occupied and also, the LUMO + 1 gets significantly filled when heptacene is oriented along the Cu rows. Conversely, for perpendicularly aligned heptacene, the molecular energy levels are shifted significantly toward the Fermi energy, preventing charge transfer to the LUMO + 1. These findings are fully confirmed by our density functional calculations and demonstrate the possibility to tune the charge transfer and level alignment at organic–metal interfaces through the adjustable molecular alignment. |
1. | M. S. Sättele, A. Windischbacher, L. Egger, A. Haags, P. Hurdax, H. Kirschner, A. Gottwald, M. Richter, F. C. Bocquet, S. Soubatch, F. S. Tautz, H. F. Bettinger, H. Peisert, T. Chassé, M. G. Ramsey, P. Puschnig, G. Koller Going beyond Pentacene: Photoemission Tomography of a Heptacene Monolayer on Ag(110) Journal Article In: J. Phys. Chem. C, vol. 125, pp. 2918-2925, 2021. @article{Saettele2020,
title = {Going beyond Pentacene: Photoemission Tomography of a Heptacene Monolayer on Ag(110)},
author = {M. S. Sättele and A. Windischbacher and L. Egger and A. Haags and P. Hurdax and H. Kirschner and A. Gottwald and M. Richter and F. C. Bocquet and S. Soubatch and F. S. Tautz and H. F. Bettinger and H. Peisert and T. Chassé and M. G. Ramsey and P. Puschnig and G. Koller},
doi = {10.1021/acs.jpcc.0c09062},
year = {2021},
date = {2021-01-01},
journal = {J. Phys. Chem. C},
volume = {125},
pages = {2918-2925},
abstract = {Longer acenes such as heptacene are promising candidates for optoelectronic applications but are unstable in their bulk structure as they tend to dimerize. This makes the growth of well-defined monolayers and films problematic. In this article, we report the successful preparation of a highly oriented monolayer of heptacene on Ag(110) by thermal cycloreversion of diheptacenes. In a combined effort of angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy and density functional theory (DFT) calculations, we characterize the electronic and structural properties of the molecule on the surface in detail. Our investigations allow us to unambiguously confirm the successful fabrication of a highly oriented complete monolayer of heptacene and to describe its electronic structure. By comparing experimental momentum maps of photoemission from frontier orbitals of heptacene and pentacene, we shed light on differences between these two acenes regarding their molecular orientation and energy-level alignment on the metal surfaces.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Longer acenes such as heptacene are promising candidates for optoelectronic applications but are unstable in their bulk structure as they tend to dimerize. This makes the growth of well-defined monolayers and films problematic. In this article, we report the successful preparation of a highly oriented monolayer of heptacene on Ag(110) by thermal cycloreversion of diheptacenes. In a combined effort of angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy and density functional theory (DFT) calculations, we characterize the electronic and structural properties of the molecule on the surface in detail. Our investigations allow us to unambiguously confirm the successful fabrication of a highly oriented complete monolayer of heptacene and to describe its electronic structure. By comparing experimental momentum maps of photoemission from frontier orbitals of heptacene and pentacene, we shed light on differences between these two acenes regarding their molecular orientation and energy-level alignment on the metal surfaces. |