Structure of the buried metal-molecule interface in organic thin film devices

Nano Lett. 2009 Mar;9(3):1052-7. doi: 10.1021/nl803393m.

Abstract

By use of specular X-ray reflectivity (XR) the structure of a metal-covered organic thin film device is measured with angstrom resolution. The model system is a Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) film, sandwiched between a silicon substrate and a top electrode consisting of 25 A titanium and 100 A aluminum. By comparison of XR data for the five-layer Pb2+ arachidate LB film before and after vapor deposition of the Ti/Al top electrode, a detailed account of the structural damage to the organic film at the buried metal-molecule interface is obtained. We find that the organized structure of the two topmost LB layers (approximately 5 nm) is completely destroyed due to the metal deposition.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Aluminum / chemistry
  • Eicosanoic Acids / chemistry
  • Electrodes
  • Electrons
  • Equipment Design
  • Lead / chemistry
  • Metal Nanoparticles / chemistry
  • Models, Theoretical
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Nanotechnology / methods*
  • Organic Chemicals / chemistry
  • Surface Properties
  • X-Rays

Substances

  • Eicosanoic Acids
  • Organic Chemicals
  • Lead
  • Aluminum
  • arachidic acid