Charge transfers and charged defects in WSe2/graphene-SiC interfaces

We report on Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) and density functional theory (DFT) investigations of charge transfers in vertical heterojunctions between tungsten diselenide (WSe₂) layers and graphene on silicon carbide substrates. The experimental data reveal the existence of an interface dipole, which is shown by DFT to originate from the neutralization of the graphene n-doping by an electron transfer towards the transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) layer. The relative vacuum level shift probed by KPFM between the TMD and the substrate stays constant when passing from monolayer to bilayer graphene, which confirms that the Schottky-Mott model can be rigorously applied to these interfaces by taking into account the charge transfer from the substrate to the TMD. DFT calculations show that the first TMD layer absorbs almost all the excess charges contained in the graphene, and that the second TMD layer shall not play a significant role in the electrostatics of the system. Negatively charged defect at the TMD edges contribute however to the electrostatic landscape probed by KPFM on both TMD layers.

Synthesis, optoelectronic properties and photovoltaic performances of wide band-gap copolymers based on dibenzosilole and quinoxaline units, rivals to P3HT

Dibenzosilole and quinoxaline based copolymers were synthesized and tested in bulk-heterojunction solar cells showing power conversion efficiencies up to 5.14%.

Qplus AFM driven nanostencil

We describe the development of a novel setup, in which large stencils with suspended silicon nitride membranes are combined with atomic force microscopy (AFM) regulation by using tuning forks. This system offers the possibility to perform separate AFM and nanostencil operations, as well as combined modes when using stencil chips with integrated tips. The flexibility and performances are demonstrated through a series of examples, including wide AFM scans in closed loop mode, probe positioning repeatability of a few tens of nanometer, simultaneous evaporation of large (several hundred of micron square) and nanoscopic metals and fullerene patterns in static, multistep, and dynamic modes. This approach paves the way for further developments, as it fully combines the advantages of conventional stenciling with the ones of an AFM driven shadow mask.

Atomic force microscopy imaging using a tip-on-chip: opening the door to integrated near field nanotools

We describe in detail how atomic force microscopy (AFM) images can be routinely achieved with macroscopic silicon-based chips integrating mesoscopic tips, paving the way for the development of new near field devices combining AFM imaging with any kind of functionality integrated on a chip. The chips have been glued at the end of the free prong of 100 kHz quartz tuning forks mounted in Qplus configuration. Numerical simulations by modal analysis have been carried out to clarify the nature of the vibration modes observed in the experimental spectra. It is shown that two low frequency modes can be used to drive the system and scan the surface with a great stability in amplitude modulation as well as in frequency modulation AFM under ultrahigh vacuum. The AFM capabilities are demonstrated through a series of examples including phase and dissipation contrast imaging, force spectroscopy measurements, and investigations of soft samples in weak interaction with the substrate. The lateral resolution with the tips grown by focused ion beam deposition already matches the one achieved in standard amplitude modulation mode AFM experiments.

Scanning tunneling spectroscopy simulations of poly(3-dodecylthiophene) chains adsorbed on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite

We report on a hybrid scheme to perform efficient and accurate simulations of scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS) of molecules weakly bonded to surfaces. Calculations are based on a tight binding (TB) technique, including a self-consistent calculation of the electronic structure of the molecule, to predict STS conductance spectra. The use of a local basis makes our model easily applicable to systems with several hundreds of atoms. We performed first-principles density-functional calculations to extract the geometrical and electronic properties of the system. In this way, we can include, in the TB scheme, the effects of structural relaxation upon adsorption on the electronic structure of the molecule. This approach is applied to the study of regioregular poly(3-dodecylthiophene) polymer chains adsorbed on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite. Results of spectroscopic calculations are discussed and compared with recently obtained experimental data.