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Energy-level alignment is a crucial factor in the performance of thin-film devices, such as organic light-emitting diodes and photovoltaics. One way to adjust these energy levels is through chemical modification of the molecules involved. However, this approach may lead to unintended changes in the optical and/or electrical properties of the compound. An alternative method for energy-level adjustment at the interface is the use of self-assembling monolayers (SAMs). Initially, SAMs with passive spacers were employed, creating a surface dipole moment that altered the work function (WF) of the electrode. However, recent advancements have led to the synthesis of SAM molecules with active spacers. This development necessitates considering not only the modification of the electrode’s WF but also the ionization energy (IE) of the molecule itself. To measure both the IE of SAM molecules and their impact on the electrode’s WF, a relatively simple method is photo-electric emission spectroscopy. Solar cell performance parameters have a higher correlation coefficient with the ionization energy of SAM molecules with carbazole derivatives as spacers (up to 0.97) than the work function of the modified electrode (up to 0.88). Consequently, SAMs consisting of molecules with active spacers can be viewed as hole transport layers rather than interface layers.

A new cross-linkable monomer containing 1,3-diphenylethenylcarbazolyl-based hole-transporting moieties and four reactive epoxy groups, was prepared by a multistep synthesis route from 1,3-bis(2,2-diphenylethenyl)-9H-carbazol-2-ol and its application for the in situ formation of cross-linked hole transporting layers was investigated. A high concentration of flexible aliphatic epoxy chains ensures good solubility and makes this compound an attractive cross-linking agent. The synthesized compounds were characterized by various techniques, including differential scanning calorimetry, xerographic time of flight, and electron photoemission in air methods.

A series of mono and di-N-2,3-epoxypropyl N-phenylhydrazones have beenprepared on a large scale by reaction of the corresponding N-phenylhydrazones of9-ethyl-3-carbazolecarbaldehyde, 9-ethyl-3,6-carbazoledicarbaldehyde, 4-dimethyl-amino-, 4-diethylamino-, 4-benzylethylamino-, 4-(diphenylamino)-, 4-(4,4-4'-dimethyl-diphenylamino)-, 4-(4-formyldiphenylamino)- and 4-(4-formyl-4'-methyldiphenyl-amino)benzaldehyde with epichlorohydrin in the presence of KOH and anhydrousNa2SO4.