Self-Assembled Monolayers (SAMs)

Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) are well-organized, ultra-thin layers that form on a substrate's surface through either weak physical forces or strong chemical covalent bonds. They are described as monolayer as they are one molecule thick layers. Molecular self assembly refers to the process where these molecules spontaneously organize into precise, functional self-assembled structures. The formation of SAMs typically involves deposition and thermal annealing.

The natural tendency of certain molecules to form organized patterns through non-covalent interactions can be exploited for electronic devices. Organic molecules can self-assemble into conductive or semiconductive materials, which are used in organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), organic photovoltaic cells, and organic field-effect transistors (OFETs). SAMs can act as an interface, i.e. hole injection monolayer (HIML) between the electrode and the active layer materials in optoelectronic devices.

Serving as hole selective contact layer and alternative to PEDOT:PSS, SAMs improve the device performance of dye-sensitized solar cells, organic solar cells, and inverted perovskite or polymer solar cells. The following are examples of solar cells device performance engaging different SAM molecules as hole transport layers:

Device Structure	V_OC (V)	J_SC (mA/cm²)	FF (%)	PCE (%)
ITO/2PACz/Cs_0.05(MA_0.17FA_0.83)_0.95Pb(I_0.83Br_0.17)₃/C₆₀/BCP/Cu	1.158	21.7	80.91	20.26
ITO/Br-2PACz/Cs_0.25FA_0.75Sn_0.5Pb_0.5I₃/C₆₀/BCP/Ag	0.81	32.14	74.94	19.51
ITO/MeO-2PACz/MA_0.05FA_0.95Pb(I_0.95Br_0.05)₃/C₆₀/BCP/Cu	1.12	23.5	80.6	21.2
ITO/MPA-CPA/perovskite/C₆₀/BCP/Ag	1.20	24.8	84.5	25.2
ITO/perovskite (DMAcPA doping)/PC₆₀BM/BCP/Ag	1.187	25.69	84.73	25.86
ITO/4PADCB(CbzNaph)/FA_0.8Cs_0.2Pb(I_0.6Br_0.4)₃/C60/SnO₂/IZO/PEDOT:PSS/FA_0.6MA_0.3 Cs_0.1Sn_0.5Pb_0.5I₃/C60/SnO₂/Cu	2.12	15.19	82.6	26.6

Our collection of self-assembled monolayers includes molecules with electron rich carbazole, 9,9-dimethylacridine, 7H-dibenzo[c,g]carbazole, or triphenylamine terminal functional groups, alkyl or cyano-vinyl linkers, and phosphonic or carboxylic acid anchoring groups.

Browse Self-Assembled Monolayers

Filter by Head / Anchor Group: phosphonic acid carboxylic acid

2PACz

CAS 20999-38-6

From $230

Br-2PACz

CAS 2762888-11-7

From $230

Cl-2PACz

From $270

MeO-2PACz

CAS 2377770-18-6

From $257

4PACz

CAS 20999-36-4

From $257

MeO-4PACz

CAS 2922526-56-3

From $270

4PADCB

CAS 2882156-63-8

From $216

DCB-BPA

From $284

DMAcPA

CAS 2971088-37-4

From $351

Br-2EPT

CAS 2826271-17-2

From $270

2BrPTZPA

From $270

MPA-CPA

CAS 2212003-31-9

From $311

9CAA

CAS 524-80-1

From $176

9CPA

CAS 6622-54-4

From $176

Phosphorylcholine chloride

CAS 107-73-3

From $81

2,2′-Bipyridine-4,4′-dicarboxylic acid

CAS 6813-38-3

$237
From $119

Resources and Support

What are Self-Assembled Monolayers?

Self-assembled monolayers (SAM) are well-organised, one molecule thick layers that form on a solid surface. SAM molecules adsorb on a substrate via chemical or physical bonds. They spontaneously organize themselves into ordered structures on the substrate.

Deposition of Self-Assembled Monolayers

Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) are well-organized one molecule thick layers that spontaneously form on a surface. They have a high potential for use in a wide range of applications due to their well-defined structure and properties.

Self-Assembled Monolayers (SAMs) vs PEDOT:PSS

Two commonly used materials for hole selective layer (HSL) or hole transport layer (HTL) are PEDOT:PSS (poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate) and self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). Each offers distinct advantages and limitations that impact their effectiveness in solar cells.

Applications

Applications of Self-Assembled Monolayers

Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) are highly organized single layers of molecules that form on a surface. This is driven by the chemisorption of specific functional groups on the SAM molecules that have a strong affinity for a particular surface.

Self-Assembled Monolayers in Electronic Devices

Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) provide a versatile and cost-effective method for surface modification and the creation of molecular-scale electronic devices. By selecting the appropriate head, spacer and tail group for the SAM molecules the following properties can be adjusted:

Self-Assembled Monolayers (SAMs) in Perovskite Solar Cells (PSCs)

Incorporating self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) within perovskite solar cells has improved device efficiency. SAMs exist as ultrathin layers that can be engineered to improve various aspects of the solar cell including charge transport and stability. SAMs have benefits including:

What is molecular electronics?

Molecular electronics or "moletronics" is to use molecules as building blocks to create electronic components. These molecular electronic components include transistors, diodes, capacitors, insulators, and wires.