High-performance organic field-effect transistors: molecular design, device fabrication, and physical properties

In the past decade, tremendous progress has been made in organic field-effect transistors (OFETs). Their real applications require further development of device performance. OFETs consist of organic semiconductors, dielectric layers, and electrodes. Organic semiconductors play a key role in determining the device characteristics. The properties of the organic semiconductors, such as molecular structure and packing, as well as molecular energy levels, can be properly controlled by molecular design. Therefore, we designed and synthesized a series of organic molecules. The synthesized organic semiconductors exhibit excellent field-effect properties due to strong intermolecular interactions and proper molecular energy levels. Meanwhile, the influence of the device fabrication process, organic semiconductor/dielectric layer interface, and organic layer/electrode contact on the device performance was investigated. A deep understanding of these factors is helpful to improve field-effect properties. Furthermore, single-crystal field-effect transistors are highlighted because the single-crystal-based FETs can provide an accurate conducting mechanism of organic semiconductors and higher device performance as compared with thin film FETs.