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Li M, Liu M, Qi F, Lin FR, Jen AKY. Self-Assembled Monolayers for Interfacial Engineering in Solution-Processed Thin-Film Electronic Devices: Design, Fabrication, and Applications. Chem Rev 2024; 124:2138-2204. [PMID: 38421811 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.3c00396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Interfacial engineering has long been a vital means of improving thin-film device performance, especially for organic electronics, perovskites, and hybrid devices. It greatly facilitates the fabrication and performance of solution-processed thin-film devices, including organic field effect transistors (OFETs), organic solar cells (OSCs), perovskite solar cells (PVSCs), and organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). However, due to the limitation of traditional interfacial materials, further progress of these thin-film devices is hampered particularly in terms of stability, flexibility, and sensitivity. The deadlock has gradually been broken through the development of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs), which possess distinct benefits in transparency, diversity, stability, sensitivity, selectivity, and surface passivation ability. In this review, we first showed the evolution of SAMs, elucidating their working mechanisms and structure-property relationships by assessing a wide range of SAM materials reported to date. A comprehensive comparison of various SAM growth, fabrication, and characterization methods was presented to help readers interested in applying SAM to their works. Moreover, the recent progress of the SAM design and applications in mainstream thin-film electronic devices, including OFETs, OSCs, PVSCs and OLEDs, was summarized. Finally, an outlook and prospects section summarizes the major challenges for the further development of SAMs used in thin-film devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingliang Li
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong 999077, China
- Hong Kong Institute for Clean Energy, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Ming Liu
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong 999077, China
- Hong Kong Institute for Clean Energy, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Feng Qi
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong 999077, China
- Hong Kong Institute for Clean Energy, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Francis R Lin
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong 999077, China
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong 999077, China
- Hong Kong Institute for Clean Energy, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Alex K-Y Jen
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong 999077, China
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong 999077, China
- Hong Kong Institute for Clean Energy, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong 999077, China
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong 999077, China
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Jiang W, Liu M, Li Y, Lin FR, Jen AKY. Rational molecular design of multifunctional self-assembled monolayers for efficient hole selection and buried interface passivation in inverted perovskite solar cells. Chem Sci 2024; 15:2778-2785. [PMID: 38404377 PMCID: PMC10882494 DOI: 10.1039/d3sc05485c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) have been widely employed as the bottom-contact hole-selective layer (HSL) in inverted perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Besides manipulating the electrical properties, molecularly engineering the SAM provides an opportunity to modulate the perovskite buried interface. Here, we successfully introduced Lewis-basic oxygen and sulfur heteroatoms through rational molecular design of asymmetric SAMs to obtain two novel multifunctional SAMs, CbzBF and CbzBT. Detailed characterization of single-crystal structures and device interfaces shows that enhanced packing, more effective ITO work function adjustment, and buried interface passivation were successfully achieved. Consequently, the champion PSC employing CbzBT showed an excellent power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 24.0% with a high fill factor of 84.41% and improved stability. This work demonstrates the feasibility of introducing defect-passivating heterocyclic groups into SAM molecules to help passivate the interfacial defects in PSCs. The insights gained from this molecular design strategy will accelerate the development of new multifunctional SAM HSLs for efficient PSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenlin Jiang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong Kowloon 999077 Hong Kong
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong Kowloon 999077 Hong Kong
- Hong Kong Institute for Clean Energy, City University of Hong Kong Kowloon 999077 Hong Kong
| | - Ming Liu
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong Kowloon 999077 Hong Kong
- Hong Kong Institute for Clean Energy, City University of Hong Kong Kowloon 999077 Hong Kong
| | - Yanxun Li
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong Kowloon 999077 Hong Kong
- Hong Kong Institute for Clean Energy, City University of Hong Kong Kowloon 999077 Hong Kong
| | - Francis R Lin
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong Kowloon 999077 Hong Kong
- Hong Kong Institute for Clean Energy, City University of Hong Kong Kowloon 999077 Hong Kong
| | - Alex K-Y Jen
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong Kowloon 999077 Hong Kong
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong Kowloon 999077 Hong Kong
- Hong Kong Institute for Clean Energy, City University of Hong Kong Kowloon 999077 Hong Kong
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong Kowloon 999077 Hong Kong
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Jiang W, Li F, Li M, Qi F, Lin FR, Jen AKY. π-Expanded Carbazoles as Hole-Selective Self-Assembled Monolayers for High-Performance Perovskite Solar Cells. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022; 61:e202213560. [PMID: 36300589 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202213560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Carbazole-derived self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) are promising hole-selective materials for inverted perovskite solar cells (PSCs). However, they often possess small dipoles which prohibit them from effectively modulating the workfunction of ITO substrate, limiting the PSC photovoltage. Moreover, their properties can be drastically affected by even subtle structural modifications, undermining the final PSC performance. Here, we designed two carbazole-derived SAMs, CbzPh and CbzNaph through asymmetric or helical π-expansion for improved molecular dipole moment and strengthened π-π interaction. The helical π-expanded CbzNaph has the largest dipole, forming densely packed and ordered monolayer, facilitated by the highly ordered assembly observed in its π-scaffold's single crystal. These synergistically modulate the perovskite crystallization atop and tune the ITO workfunction. Consequently, the champion PSC employing CbzNaph showed an excellent 24.1 % efficiency and improved stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenlin Jiang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, 999077, Hong Kong.,Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, 999077, Hong Kong.,Hong Kong Institute for Clean Energy, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, 999077, Hong Kong
| | - Fengzhu Li
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, 999077, Hong Kong.,Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, 999077, Hong Kong.,Hong Kong Institute for Clean Energy, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, 999077, Hong Kong
| | - Mingliang Li
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, 999077, Hong Kong.,Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, 999077, Hong Kong.,Hong Kong Institute for Clean Energy, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, 999077, Hong Kong
| | - Feng Qi
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, 999077, Hong Kong.,Hong Kong Institute for Clean Energy, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, 999077, Hong Kong
| | - Francis R Lin
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, 999077, Hong Kong.,Hong Kong Institute for Clean Energy, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, 999077, Hong Kong
| | - Alex K-Y Jen
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, 999077, Hong Kong.,Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, 999077, Hong Kong.,Hong Kong Institute for Clean Energy, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, 999077, Hong Kong
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Son YJ, Kang H, Seong S, Han S, Lee NS, Noh J. Thermally Driven Structural Order of Oligo(Ethylene Glycol)-Terminated Alkanethiol Monolayers on Au(111) Prepared by Vapor Deposition. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27175377. [PMID: 36080145 PMCID: PMC9457651 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27175377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
To probe the effects of deposition temperature on the formation and structural order of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on Au(111) prepared by vapor deposition of 2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethanethiol (CH3O(CH2)2O(CH2)2SH, EG2) for 24 h, we examined the surface structure and electrochemical behavior of the resulting EG2 SAMs using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). STM observations clearly revealed that EG2 SAMs vapor-deposited on Au(111) at 298 K were composed of a disordered phase on the entire Au surface, whereas those formed at 323 K showed improved structural order, showing a mixed phase of ordered and disordered phases. Moreover, at 348 K, uniform and highly ordered EG2 SAMs on Au(111) were formed with a (2 × 3√3) packing structure. CV measurements showed sharp reductive desorption (RD) peaks at −0.818, −0.861, and −0.880 V for EG2 SAM-modified Au electrodes formed at 298, 323, and 348 K, respectively. More negative potential shifts of RD peaks with increasing deposition temperature are attributed to an increase in van der Waals interactions between EG2 molecular backbones resulting from the improved structural quality of EG2 SAMs. Our results obtained herein provide new insights into the formation and thermally driven structural order of oligo(ethylene glycol)-terminated SAMs vapor-deposited on Au(111).
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Affiliation(s)
- Young Ji Son
- Department of Chemistry, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 04763, Korea
| | - Hungu Kang
- Department of Chemistry, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 04763, Korea
- Department of Chemistry, Korea University, 145 Anam-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02841, Korea
| | - Sicheon Seong
- Department of Chemistry, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 04763, Korea
| | - Seulki Han
- Department of Chemistry, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 04763, Korea
| | - Nam-Suk Lee
- National Institute for Nanomaterials Technology, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang 37673, Korea
| | - Jaegeun Noh
- Department of Chemistry, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 04763, Korea
- Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 04763, Korea
- Correspondence:
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Tian L, Martine E, Yu X, Hu W. Amine-Anchored Aromatic Self-Assembled Monolayer Junction: Structure and Electric Transport Properties. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2021; 37:12223-12233. [PMID: 34606290 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.1c02194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
We studied the structure and transport properties of aromatic amine self-assembled monolayers (NH2-SAMs) on an Au surface. The oligophenylene and oligoacene amines with variable lengths can form a densely packed and uniform monolayer under proper assembly conditions. Molecular junctions incorporating an eutectic Ga-In (EGaIn) top electrode were used to characterize the charge transport properties of the amine monolayer. The current density J of the junction decreases exponentially with the molecular length (d), as J = J0 exp(-βd), which is a sign of tunneling transport, with indistinguishable values of J0 and β for NH2-SAMs of oligophenylene and oligoacene, indicating a similar molecule-electrode contact and tunneling barrier for two groups of molecules. Compared with the oligophenylene and oligoacene molecules with thiol (SH) as the anchor group, a similar β value (∼0.35 Å-1) of the aromatic NH2-SAM suggests a similar tunneling barrier, while a lower (by 2 orders of magnitude) injection current J0 is attributed to lower electronic coupling Γ of the amine group with the electrode. These observations are further supported by single-level tunneling model fitting. Our study here demonstrates the NH2-SAMs can work as an effective active layer for molecular junctions, and provide key physical parameters for the charge transport, paving the road for their applications in functional devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lixian Tian
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Optoelectronic Science, School of Science, Tianjin University & Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Esther Martine
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Optoelectronic Science, School of Science, Tianjin University & Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Xi Yu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Optoelectronic Science, School of Science, Tianjin University & Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Wenping Hu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Optoelectronic Science, School of Science, Tianjin University & Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tianjin 300072, China
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Park T, Kang H, Ito E, Noh J. Self‐Assembled Monolayers of Alkanethioacetates on Au(111) in Ammonium Hydroxide Solution. B KOREAN CHEM SOC 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/bkcs.12189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Taesung Park
- Department of Chemistry Hanyang University Seongdong‐gu, Seoul 04763 Korea
| | - Hungu Kang
- Department of Chemistry Hanyang University Seongdong‐gu, Seoul 04763 Korea
| | - Eisuke Ito
- Chemical Materials Evaluation and Research Base (CEREBA) Higashi 1‐1‐1, AIST Central 5‐2, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305‐8565 Japan
| | - Jaegeun Noh
- Department of Chemistry Hanyang University Seongdong‐gu, Seoul 04763 Korea
- Institute of Nano Science and Technology Hanyang University Seongdong‐gu, Seoul 04763 Korea
- Research Institute for Convergence of Basic Science Hanyang University Seongdong‐gu, Seoul 04763 Korea
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Han M, Seong S, Han S, Lee N, Noh J. Molecular
Self‐Assembly
of Phenylselenyl Chloride on a Au(111) Surface. B KOREAN CHEM SOC 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/bkcs.12116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Myoung‐Soo Han
- Department of Convergence Nanoscience Hanyang University Seongdong‐gu, Seoul 04763 Korea
| | - Sicheon Seong
- Department of Chemistry Hanyang University Seongdong‐gu, Seoul 04763 Korea
| | - Seulki Han
- Department of Chemistry Hanyang University Seongdong‐gu, Seoul 04763 Korea
| | - Nam‐Suk Lee
- National Institute for Nanomaterials Technology Pohang University of Science and Technology Pohang 37673 Korea
| | - Jaegeun Noh
- Department of Chemistry Hanyang University Seongdong‐gu, Seoul 04763 Korea
- Institute of Nano Science and Technology Hanyang University Seongdong‐gu, Seoul 04763 Korea
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Formation of long-range-ordered self-assembled monolayers of dodecyl thiocyanates on Au(111) via ambient-pressure vapor deposition. Colloids Surf A Physicochem Eng Asp 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2019.123969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Rechmann J, Krzywiecki M, Erbe A. Carbon-Sulfur Bond Cleavage During Adsorption of Octadecane Thiol to Copper in Ethanol. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2019; 35:6888-6897. [PMID: 31050896 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.9b00686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The effect of the solvent on the formation of thiol self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on oxide-covered, reactive metals is more involved than in the well-studied gold-thiol system. In this work, copper covered with a native oxide was modified with 1-octadecanethiol (ODT) in either tetrahydrofuran or ethanol. Infrared spectroscopy indicated the formation of crystalline chain packing of alkyl chains from both solvents. Surface coverage was approximately equal in both systems, with differences in tilt angles of the chains. A detailed analysis by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy showed the formation of Cu2S and copper-bound carbon when the adsorption was carried out in ethanol. This observation can be explained by the cleavage of the C-S bond in ODT during adsorption. Based on the analogy of preparations, we reason that the solvation of ODT in ethanol must be such that it weakens the C-S bond in ODT, thus enabling the cleavage of this bond. Based on the evidence presented here, it is not possible to distinguish between surface solvation and bulk solvation. Electrochemical linear sweep voltammetry shows that SAMs from both solvents have an enhancing protective effect compared to the native oxide layer. The results from this work show interesting possibilities for the preparation of adsorbed monolayers with chemical interaction to reactive metals, with some similarities to carbene-based SAMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian Rechmann
- Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung GmbH , Max-Planck-Str. 1 , 40237 Düsseldorf , Germany
| | - Maciej Krzywiecki
- Institute of Physics-CSE , Silesian University of Technology , Konarskiego 22B , 44-100 Gliwice , Poland
| | - Andreas Erbe
- Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung GmbH , Max-Planck-Str. 1 , 40237 Düsseldorf , Germany
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, NTNU , Norwegian University of Science and Technology , 7491 Trondheim , Norway
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Watson S, Nie M, Wang L, Stokes K. Challenges and developments of self-assembled monolayers and polymer brushes as a green lubrication solution for tribological applications. RSC Adv 2015. [DOI: 10.1039/c5ra17468f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Surface initiated polymer brushes, grafted from self-assembled initiating monolayers on a contact surface, provide opportunities to develop innovative solutions for friction reduction in tribological systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Watson
- National Centre for Advanced Tribology at Southampton (nCATS)
- University of Southampton
- Southampton SO17 1BJ
- UK
| | - Mengyan Nie
- National Centre for Advanced Tribology at Southampton (nCATS)
- University of Southampton
- Southampton SO17 1BJ
- UK
| | - Ling Wang
- National Centre for Advanced Tribology at Southampton (nCATS)
- University of Southampton
- Southampton SO17 1BJ
- UK
| | - Keith Stokes
- National Centre for Advanced Tribology at Southampton (nCATS)
- University of Southampton
- Southampton SO17 1BJ
- UK
- Platform Systems Division
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