Interface phenomena in emerging electronic and energy technologies

The functionality of electronic devices is often governed by their interface properties. Consequently, the design and optimization of functional interfaces is one of the key challenges in the development of novel energy and electronic technologies. This symposium covers recent advances in interface engineering and analysis in emerging technologies.

Scope:

The functionality of electronic devices, including thin film transistors, LEDs as well as a wide variety of solar cells and batteries, is to a large part governed by their interface properties. Consequently, the development of next-generation technologies requires novel device structures with tailored interfaces. For many applications tunable, multi-property-functionality is required of the respective contact materials. In modern device structures the number of functional layers is often reduced, so that contact materials need to fulfill multiple purposes, ranging from surface passivation over charge collection to the formation of charge-selective electrical contacts. Constraints in processing compatibility as well as the use of abundant and non-toxic materials pose additional challenges to the development of novel devices. The synthesis of hetero-structures containing multiple metastable or volatile materials, such as flexible polymer substrates (e.g. in flexible solar cells or wearables), is particularly challenging and requires novel synthesis routes (e.g. HIPIMS sputtering), to avoid degradation of the underlying materials.

As operating conditions are becoming more demanding, research in interface degradation and related defect physics has become more relevant than ever. The increased availability of HAXPES and environmental ESCA techniques has enabled the study of buried interfaces as well as semiconductor-electrolyte interfaces in near operating conditions providing valuable insights in critical processes, such as changes in the electronic band alignment or chemical reactions resulting in the formation of interface defects.

A detailed understanding of interfacial phenomena and processes is crucial to improve performance and durability of novel device structures. Combined with contact material innovation and novel synthesis techniques for the preparation of thin-film heterostructures these insights will help drive the development of next-generation technologies.

The goal of this symposium is to provide a dedicated platform for a multidisciplinary community of materials and device scientists, to discuss recent advances and future needs in interface engineering, manufacturing and advanced analytical techniques.

Hot topics to be covered by the symposium:

• Electrode-Electrolyte Interfaces: Energy storage
• Semiconductor-Electrolyte Interfaces: Catalysis
• New Device Structures for Emerging Photovoltaic Materials
• Interface Phenomena in Emerging Transistor Technologies
• Multifunctional Nanolayers and 2D Materials for Interface Engineering
• Defect Science and Stability at Interfaces
• Near Ambient Characterization of Surfaces and Interfaces
• Hard X-ray Photoemission Studies on Buried Interfaces and Depth Profiling
• Advanced Analytical Techniques for Surface and Interface Analysis
• Theoretical Studies and Computational Approaches for Interface Design and Analysis