High-performance five-ring-fused organic semiconductors for field-effect transistors

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Organic Electronics
• Semiconductor Physics

Background:

• Organic molecular semiconductors offer advantages like low-cost fabrication and flexibility.
• Pentacene, a five-ring-fused semiconductor, exhibits high mobility but suffers from instability.
• Molecular engineering is crucial for improving stability while retaining high performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and summarize approximately 500 five-ring-fused organic semiconductor molecules and their derivatives.
• To provide a comprehensive understanding of these materials for organic field-effect transistor (OFET) applications.
• To analyze factors influencing their electronic properties and stability.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of approximately 500 five-ring-fused organic semiconductor prototypes and derivatives.
• Analysis of molecular design strategies, including heterocyclic group incorporation and side-chain engineering.
• Examination of synthesis processes, molecular packing, and electronic properties (HOMO-LUMO levels, mobility).

Main Results:

• Many designed five-ring-fused organic semiconductors achieve mobilities exceeding 1 cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹.
• High hole mobility up to 18.9 cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹ and electron mobility up to 27.8 cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹ were reported.
• Successful molecular engineering strategies were identified to enhance material stability and performance.

Conclusions:

• Five-ring-fused organic semiconductors are promising candidates for high-performance OFETs.
• Strategic molecular design, including the choice of fused rings and side chains, is key to optimizing stability and charge transport.
• Further research into synthesis, packing, and electronic properties will advance their commercial viability.