Electron work function

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-003742",
  "term": "Electron work function",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definition": "The minimum energy required to remove an electron from the surface of a solid material into a vacuum. This energy barrier must be overcome for thermionic emission or photoemission to occur. The work function is a characteristic property of a material and is typically measured in electronvolts (eV).",
  "subject": "Physical and Biophysical Chemistry",
  "see_also": [
    "Fermi energy",
    "Fermi level",
    "kinetic energy"
  ],
  "references": [
    "PAC, 1986, 58, 437. 'Interphases in systems of conducting phases (Recommendations 1985)' on page 441 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac198658030437)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/electron-work-function/"
}