Nanoscale investigation on nature of dark hole in moisture-exposed tris(8-hydroxyquinoline) aluminum thin films

The morphological evolution and nature of the degradation of the moisture-exposed tris(8-hydroxyquinoline) aluminum (Alq3) thin films have been microscopically investigated by variable-temperature tapping mode atomic force microscopy and complementarily by thickness-shear mode acoustic wave sensor. It is plausibly ascertained that the dark hole in the Alq3 films results from the release of the volatile 8-hydroxyquinoline, a product of the reaction of Alq3 with moisture.