| Semiconductors and C nanotubes | ZnO | C nanotubes | AlN | WO3 | SiC | Si | GaN | GaAs | CdS | ZnS |
| Work function (eV) | 5.3 | 5 | 3.7 | 5.7 | 4.0 | 3.6 | 4.1 | 4.77 | 4.2 | 7.0 |
| Metals | Au | Ag | Al | W | Sn | Cu | Fe | Mo | Cd | Zn |
| Work function (eV) | 5.1 | 4.26 | 4.28 | 4.5 | 4.42 | 4.65 | 4.5 | 4.37 | 4.07 | 4.3 |