Influence of Al2O3 Overlayers on Intermolecular Interactions between Metal Oxide Bound Molecules

Intermolecular interactions on inorganic substrates can have a critical impact on the electrochemical and photophysical properties of the materials and subsequent performance in hybrid electronics. Critical to the intentional formation or inhibition of these processes is controlling interactions between molecules on a surface. In this report, we investigated the impact of surface loading and atomic-layer-deposited Al2O3 overlayers on the intermolecular interactions of a ZrO2-bound anthracene derivative as probed by the photophysical properties of the interface. While surface loading density had no impact on the absorption spectra of the films, there was an increase in excimer features with surface loading as observed by both emission and transient absorption. The addition of ALD overlayers of Al2O3 resulted in a decrease in excimer formation, but the emission and transient absorption spectra were still dominated by excimer features. These results suggest that ALD may provide a post-surface loading means of influencing such intermolecular interactions.

Automated summary

Intermolecular interactions on inorganic substrates significantly affect the electrochemical and photophysical properties of materials in hybrid electronics. Control of these interactions is essential for intentional formation or inhibition of processes on a surface. This study demonstrates the influence of surface loading and atomic-layer-deposited Al2O3 overlayers on the intermolecular interactions of a ZrO2-bound anthracene derivative, as observed through photophysical properties. The addition of ALD overlayers decreases excimer formation, but excimer features still dominate in the emission and transient absorption spectra.