The influence of the solvent evaporation rate on the phase separation and electrical performances of soluble acene-polymer blend semiconductors

Wi Hyoung Lee, Donghoon Kwak, John E. Anthony, Hwa Sung Lee, Hyun Ho Choi, Do Hwan Kim, Seung Goo Lee, Kilwon Cho

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

101 Scopus citations

Abstract

The phase-separation characteristics of spin-cast difluorinated- triethylsilylethynyl anthradithiophene (F-TESADT)/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) blends are investigated with the aim of fabricating transistors with a high field-effect mobility and stability. It is found that the presence of PMMA in the F-TESADT/PMMA blends prevents dewetting of F-TESADT from the substrate and provides a platform for F-TESADT molecules to segregate and crystallize at the air-film interface. By controlling the solvent evaporation rate of the spin-cast blend solution, it is possible to regulate the phase separation of the two components, which in turn determines the structural development of the F-TESADT crystals on PMMA. At a low solvent evaporation rate, a bilayer structure consisting of highly ordered F-TESAT crystals on the top and low-trap PMMA dielectric on the bottom can be fabricated by a one-step spin-casting process. The use of F-TESADT/PMMA blend films in bottom gate transistors produces much higher field-effect mobilities and greater stability than homo F-TESADT films because the phase-separated interface provides an efficient pathway for charge transport. By controlling the solvent evaporation rate of spin-cast difluorinated-triethylsilylethynyl anthradithiophene (F-TESADT)/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) blend solution, a bilayer structure consisting of highly ordered F-TESAT crystals on the top and low-trap PMMA dielectric on the bottom can be fabricated by a one-step process. The use of F-TESADT/PMMA blend films in transistors produces much higher field-effect mobilities and greater stability than homo F-TESADT films.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)267-281
Number of pages15
JournalAdvanced Functional Materials
Volume22
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 25 2012

Keywords

  • organic field-effect transistors
  • organic semiconductors
  • phase separation
  • soluble acene

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • General Chemistry
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • General Materials Science
  • Electrochemistry
  • Biomaterials

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