Microstructural Control of Soluble Acene Crystals for Field-Effect Transistor Gas Sensors

Microstructural control during the solution processing of small-molecule semiconductors (namely, soluble acene) is important for enhancing the performance of field-effect transistors (FET) and sensors. This focused review introduces strategies to enhance the gas-sensing properties (sensitivity, recovery, selectivity, and stability) of soluble acene FET sensors by considering their sensing mechanism. Defects, such as grain boundaries and crystal edges, provide diffusion pathways for target gas molecules to reach the semiconductor-dielectric interface, thereby enhancing sensitivity and recovery. Representative studies on grain boundary engineering, patterning, and pore generation in the formation of soluble acene crystals are reviewed. The phase separation and microstructure of soluble acene/polymer blends for enhancing gas-sensing performance are also reviewed. Finally, flexible gas sensors using soluble acenes and soluble acene/polymer blends are introduced, and future research perspectives in this field are suggested.