Fine-Tuning Hole Collection via Metal Pseudo-Halogenated Thin-Film Treatment for Propelling Advancements in Versatile Platforms

Specialized transparent electrodes coated with polymer thin films have applications in energy storage and conversion systems. However, the work function (WF) and surface roughness of these thin-film-coated electrodes require further enhancement. In particular, metal pseudo-halogenated thin-film electrodes demonstrate suitable electrochemical characteristics for application in organic photovoltaics (OPVs) and metal-insulator–metal (MIM) capacitors. In this study, we presented copper(I) thiocyanate (CuSCN)-coated indium tin oxide (ITO) electrodes that exhibit absorption across the UV-visible region. The OPV containing CuSCN-based hole-transporting layers achieved an output power density of
$87.6~\pm ~1~\mu $
W/cm2 and a high fill factor of 78.2% under light-emitting-diode illumination at 1000 lx (2700 K). The leakage current density of the CuSCN-MIM capacitor decreased from 40.12 to
$0.17~\mu $
A/cm2 compared to the conventional Ag-based MIM capacitor at −2 V. It showed a leakage current density that was 235 times lower. Our findings highlight the influence of precise energy-level alignment induced by increasing the WF on enhancing the performance of hybrid organic-inorganic electronic devices.