Tuning ZnO’s workfunction with molecular monolayers

Reuben T. Collins, Colorado School of Mines, DMR 0907409

By carefully exploring several families of dipole forming molecular monolayers, we have demonstrated the ability to shift the ZnO work function by as much as 700 mV. The work function influences chemical bonding and charge transfer at the ZnO surface. This has significance for technologies extending from organic solar cells and organic light emitting diodes to organic electronics and hybrid sensors.

Vacuum level 0.00

eV

4.25

4.50

4.75

5.00

ODT

TMPS

NDA

PTES

OTES

4CPTES4CPTES

TMPS

Molecular dipoles at the organic/ZnO interface shift the ZnO workfunction

Vacuum level

K-12 Outreach Targeting Teachers and Diversity

Reuben T. Collins, Colorado School of Mines, DMR 0907409

Hands-on educational modules targeting fundamental science concepts have been developed around the theme of solar thermal energy. Activities suitable from kindergarten to high school students are part of the series. The faculty, graduate student, and undergraduate team presented these materials to many groups including a K-12 minority engineering program summer school, outreach workshop for K-5 teachers, and a program for community college teachers.

Reuben Collins discusses phase transitions and sublimation of dry ice with a kindergarten teacher

Graduate student Thomas Brenner presenting a solar thermal demonstration to community college teachers