The Latest Techniques for Determining Molecular Orientation on Surfaces

Abstract

Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of dipolar molecules or absorbed molecular acceptors on electrode materials can be used in state-of-the-art optoelectronic devices. For example, to modify indium tin oxide anodes to improve the performance of organic light emitting devices.

The correct orientation of the optical transition dipole moment vectors of the molecules with respect to the substrate plane is paramount for the function and efficiency of the devices. XPS and other techniques can be used to determine the orientation of these molecules; however, no single technique is currently able to determine this successfully and each technique has limitations.