High mobility transistors based on electrospray-printed small-molecule/polymer semiconducting blends
File(s)
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Spray-coating techniques have recently emerged as especially effective approaches for the deposition of small semiconducting molecules toward the fabrication of organic field-effect transistors (OFETs). Despite the promising mobility values and the industrial implementation capability of such techniques, the resultant devices still face challenges in terms of morphology control and performance variation. In this work, the efficient process control of electrostatic spraying deposition (ESD) and the excellent film forming properties of polymer:small molecule blends were successfully combined to develop reliable and high performance transistors. Specifically, a highly efficient blended system of 2,8-difluoro-5,11-bis(triethylsilylethynyl)-anthradithiophene (diF-TES-ADT) and poly(triarylamine) (PTAA) was employed in order to realize top-gate OFETs under ambient conditions, both on rigid and on flexible substrates. The films revealed extensive crystallization and microstructural organization implying distinct phase separation in the electrosprayed blend. Furthermore, we investigated the effect of processing temperature on film continuity and the presence of grain boundaries. Remarkably, the electrosprayed OFETs exhibited field-effect mobilities as high as 1.7 cm2 V−1 s−1 and enhanced performance consistency when compared to conventional gas-sprayed transistors. Additionally, the transistors showed excellent electrical and environmental stability, indicative of the good interface quality and the self-encapsulation capability of the top-gate structure. These results highlight the great potential of electrohydrodynamic atomization techniques for implementation in large-area processing for OFET fabrication.
Date Issued
2016-03-22
Date Acceptance
2016-03-21
Citation
Journal of Materials Chemistry C, 2016, 4 (16), pp.3499-3507
ISSN
2050-7534
Publisher
Royal Society of Chemistry
Start Page
3499
End Page
3507
Journal / Book Title
Journal of Materials Chemistry C
Volume
4
Issue
16
Copyright Statement
© The Author(s) 2016. Journal of Materials Chemistry C is © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2016
Sponsor
Engineering & Physical Science Research Council (E
Grant Number
RG67691 (cl.8.6)
Subjects
Science & Technology
Technology
Physical Sciences
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Physics, Applied
Materials Science
Physics
FIELD-EFFECT TRANSISTORS
THIN-FILM TRANSISTORS
ORGANIC TRANSISTORS
SOLUBLE ANTHRADITHIOPHENE
AMORPHOUS-SILICON
TRANSPORT
SOLVENT
Publication Status
Published