Analysis of ITO surface modified with aromatic-based self-assembled molecules

This study focuses on characterization and enhancement of indium tin oxide (ITO) surface by using a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) technique. It is generally used to establish a compatible interface and a good charge injection from ITO surface. New generation organic semiconductor molecules such as dibenzo[a,c]phenazine-11-carboxylic acid, 4-(9H-carbazol-9-yl) benzoic acid, 4-(2,5-di-2-thienyl-1H-pyrrol-1-yl) benzoic acid, 5-[(diphenyl) amino]isophthalic acid and 5-[(3-methylphenyl)(phenyl)amino]isophthalic acid were coated on ITO. The surface of ITO was characterized by scanning spreading resistance microscopy, Kelvin probe force microscopy, scanning tunnelling microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry techniques to ensure the chemical bonding of SAM materials on it.