Electronic structure of interfaces with conjugated organic materials

Abstract

The function and efficiency of most organic electronic and opto-electronic devices greatly depend on the electronic structure of the interfaces therein. Charge injection from electrical contacts into the organic semiconductor, charge extraction, or exciton dissociation at organic semiconductor heterojunctions are crucial processes that must be optimized for high device efficiency. Consequently, the energy levels at these interfaces must be matched to allow for optimal performance. The key mechanisms that determine the energy level alignment at organic/electrode and organic/organic interfaces are reviewed, and methods to adjust the levels at such interfaces are presented. © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.