Modification of the surface properties of indium tin oxide with benzylphosphonic acids: A joint experimental and theoretical study

(Figure Presented) Benzylphosphonic acids with various fluorine substitutions are designed and synthesized. They are used to modify ITO such that the work function can be tuned over a range of 1.2 eV while keeping the surface energy relatively constant. The experimentally measured work function changes are also compared to and agree well with those estimated from DFT calculations.