Abstract:

Organic-based interfaces can possess a range of surprising electronic properties that are of intense interest from both, the basic science and the applied research points of view. Understanding, controlling, and ultimately rationally designing the desired electronic of an organic/metal interface is of tremendous importance for the charge injection/extraction properties of organic electronic devices. Organic/organic interfaces play also an essential role in device performance of organic solar cells. Research into organic/inorganic interfaces is also a fascinating field for fundamental science since the interface may give rise to new physicochemical properties and phenomena.

In this talk I will give an overview of the research activities from our group on the investigation of conjugated semiconductors from a molecular-scale perspective by means of scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), frequency modulation atomic force microscopy (AFM) and photoelectron spectroscopies. Studies on different donor and acceptor molecules will be presented, addressing different aspects of the structural and electronic properties at the interface. Interfacial charge transfer and the energy level alignment mechanisms will be discussed.