A method of increasing the work function of micro-electrodes includes providing a metal or silica surface functionalized with reactive groups and contacting the functionalized surface with a solution of at least one biochemical, having a permanent dipole moment and being capable of self assembly, for a sufficient time for the biochemical to self assemble molecularly (SAM) on the functionalized surface. The biochemical can be aminopropyl triethoxy silane, fatty acids, organosilicon derivatives, organosulfur compounds, alkyl chains, or diphosphates. Use in a wide variety of metals and metallic compounds is disclosed.