Slope parameters at metal-organic interfaces

Carrier injection barriers are often described as linear functions of metal's work function or electronegativity. Slope of these functions are called the slope parameters of the organic materials. Using either the work function or the electronegativity relation has led to different slope parameters. This work discusses the discrepancy in the relation between the two slope parameters in literature. Using updated data, we analyzed the relation between work function and electronegativity. The slope parameters of different organics are compiled, analyzed, and found to follow a linear relation with the inverse of the organics' band gaps. (C) 2008 American Institute of Physics.