Materials World Network: Interdisciplinary bulk/surface studies of transparent conducting oxides

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Transparent conducting oxides (TCOs) are technologically important as transparent electrodes in opto-electronic devices as light emitting diodes and solar cells, but also for other applications as sensors. Previous studies at TU Darmstadt have identified fundamental differences in surface properties of In2O3 and ZnO, which are assumed to be related to a different bulk defect chemistry of the materials. In order to clearly identify such a correlation, which will impact the development of new TCO materials, the project aims at a systematic comparison between bulk and surface properties of TCOs. It will also provide a database on electronic surface properties of most recently developed TCOs. The goals will be achieved in a joint effort between Northwestern University (Evanston, USA) and Technische Universität Darmstadt (Germany), which combine expertise in TCO bulk synthesis, defect and transport analysis (NU) with expertise in TCO thin film deposition and surface and interface analysis (TUD). The proposal sets forth the recently initiated international collaboration between the groups as part of the ¿Materials World Network¿.