Interrelation of work function and surface stability: the case of BaAl 4

M. A. Uijttewaal, G. A. de Wijs, R.A. de Groot, R. Coehoorn, V. van Elsbergen, C.H.L. Weijtens

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

9 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The relationship between the work function (Φ) and the surface stability of compounds is, to our knowledge, unknown but very important for applications such as organic light-emitting diodes. This relation is studied using first-principles calculations on various surfaces of BaAl4. The most stable surface [Ba-terminated (001)] has the lowest Φ (1.95 eV), which is lower than that of any elemental metal including Ba. Adding barium to this surface neither increases its stability nor lowers its work function. BaAl 4 is also strongly bound. These results run counter to the common perception that stability and a low Φ are incompatible. Furthermore, a large anisotropy and a stable low-work-function surface are predicted for intermetallic compounds with polar surfaces.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3879-3882
Number of pages4
JournalChemistry of Materials
Volume17
Issue number15
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 26 Jul 2005

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