Complexities at the Au/ZrS3(001) interface probed by x-ray photoemission spectroscopy

Interaction between the Au adlayers and ZrS3(001) has been examined via x-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS). The angle-resolved XPS measurements reveal that ZrS3(001) is disulfide (S22−) terminated and the Au thickness-dependent XPS indicates that the observed band bending, for low Au coverage, is consistent with formation of a Schottky barrier at the Au/ZrS3(001) interface. This band bending, however, appears to be suppressed as the thickness of Au adlayer is increased, indicating varying interfacial interactions at the Au/ZrS3(001) interface. Such complex interface effects between Au and ZrS3(001) may explain the observed non-ohmic I–V characteristics for a ZrS3-based device, and could suppress current injection.