High-performance air-stable single-crystal organic nanowires based on a new indolocarbazole derivative for field-effect transistors

Indolo[3,2-a]carbazoles as Engineered Materials for Optoelectronic Applications: Synthesis, Structural Insights, and Computational Screening

The biological and medicinal importance of indolocarbazoles has been known for the past several decades. However, in recent times, these compounds have been emerging as potential candidates for optoelectronic applications, although several challenges are associated with their synthesis. We report here a Pd(II)-catalyzed process for the synthesis of indolo[3,2-a]carbazoles. The reaction proceeded under neat conditions and in the presence of aqueous nonmetallic oxidant TBHP, and the products were purified directly after the completion of the reaction. Also, the possibility of employing the present method for reaction with gram-scale feed was investigated. A detailed single-crystal analysis of several indolo[3,2-a]carbazoles revealed how the molecular arrangement can be tuned by altering the functionalization. Finally, the developed molecules were screened computationally to assess their potential for possible use as hole transport materials (HTMs) for organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs).

Tosylazide as N1-Synthon: Iron-Catalyzed Nitrogenative Dimerization of Indoles to p-Bisindolopyrazine Derivatives

We present a straightforward one-step process to access a range of novel p-diindolepyrazines via an unprecedented [n-Bu4N][Fe(CO)3(NO)] (TBA[Fe])-catalyzed intermolecular nitrogenative dimerization of various indole derivatives. Remarkably, tosylazide functions as a N1-synthon forming the central pyrazine unit that joins the two indole subunits. The catalytic transformation shows a good substrate scope, and the obtained products show interesting electronic properties.

Flexible Electronics Based on Organic Semiconductors: from Patterned Assembly to Integrated Applications

Organic flexible electronic devices are at the forefront of the electronics as they possess the potential to bring about a major lifestyle revolution owing to outstanding properties of organic semiconductors, including solution processability, lightweight and flexibility. For the integration of organic flexible electronics, the precise patterning and ordered assembly of organic semiconductors have attracted wide attention and gained rapid developments, which not only reduces the charge crosstalk between adjacent devices, but also enhances device uniformity and reproducibility. This review focuses on recent advances in the design, patterned assembly of organic semiconductors, and flexible electronic devices, especially for flexible organic field-effect transistors (FOFETs) and their multifunctional applications. First, typical organic semiconductor materials and material design methods are introduced. Based on these organic materials with not only superior mechanical properties but also high carrier mobility, patterned assembly strategies on flexible substrates, including one-step and two-step approaches are discussed. Advanced applications of flexible electronic devices based on organic semiconductor patterns are then highlighted. Finally, future challenges and possible directions in the field to motivate the development of the next generation of flexible electronics are proposed.

Versatile access to nitrogen-rich π-extended indolocarbazoles via a Pictet–Spengler approach

A bidirectional Pictet-Spengler Reaction allows easy access to nitrogen-rich aromatics with seven fused rings. Photophysical measurements and computational methods show significant differences to parent N-heteropolycycles with fewer nitrogen atoms.

Access to Azepino-Annulated Benzo[c]carbazoles Enabled by Gold-Catalyzed Hydroarylation of Alkynylindoles and Subsequent Oxidative Cyclization

Herein, we report a facile and efficient synthetic method to construct azepino[1,2-a]indoles through a novel gold(I)-catalyzed intramolecular hydroarylation of alkynylindoles. A wide range of functional groups can be well tolerated in this transformation, and the corresponding highly functionalized azepino[1,2-a]indole skeletons were obtained in moderate to excellent yields. Subsequent oxidation of the products gave the interesting and valuable polycyclic carbazoles, which were widely used as the key building blocks in materials science.

π-Extension of heterocycles via a Pd-catalyzed heterocyclic aryne annulation: π-extended donors for TADF emitters

We report the annulation of heterocyclic building blocks to access π-extended polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The method involves the trapping of short-lived hetarynes with catalytically-generated biaryl palladium intermediates and allows for the concise appendage of three or more fused aromatic rings about a central heterocyclic building block. Our studies focus on annulating the indole and carbazole heterocycles through the use of indolyne and carbazolyne chemistry, respectively, the latter of which required the synthesis of a new carbazolyne precursor. Notably, these represent rare examples of transition metal-catalyzed reactions of N-containing hetarynes. We demonstrate the utility of our methodology in the synthesis of heterocyclic π-extended PAHs, which were then applied as ligands in two-coordinate metal complexes. As a result of these studies, we identified a new thermally-activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) emitter that displays up to 81% photoluminescence efficiency, along with insight into structure-property relationships. These studies underscore the utility of heterocyclic strained intermediates in the synthesis and study of organic materials.

Efficient Synthesis of Dipyrrolobenzenes and Dipyrrolopyrazines via Bidirectional Gold Catalysis: a Combined Synthetic and Photophysical Study

New N-heterocyclic fluorophores are sought-after compounds for organic electronic devices. Here, we report on a straightforward synthesis to access meta/para-dipyrrolobenzenes and para-dipyrrolopyrazines in high yields using a bidirectional gold-catalyzed cyclization strategy. The versatility of our reaction protocol was showcased by preparing dipyrroloarenes with different substituents, various functional groups, and in a multitude of substitution patterns. Furthermore, we showed that the dipyrroloarenes can be post-modified by N-alkylation to improve the solubility or bromination to yield precursors for further derivatization via cross-coupling. Investigation of the photophysical properties of the─mostly unprecedented─dipyrroloarenes identified strong blue emitters such as the diphenyl meta-dipyrrolobenzene with a quantum yield of 98%. Moreover, we showed that changes in the solvent polarity or interactions with Lewis acids such as borane can be used to fine-tune the photophysical properties of the fluorophores.

Nanoconfining solution-processed organic semiconductors for emerging optoelectronics

Solution-processable organic materials for emerging electronics can generally be divided into two classes of semiconductors, organic small molecules and polymers. The theoretical thermodynamic limits of device performance are largely determined by the molecular structure of these compounds, and advances in synthetic routes have led to significant progress in charge mobilities and light conversion and light emission efficiencies over the past several decades. Still, the uncontrolled formation of out-of-equilibrium film microstructures and unfavorable polymorphs during rapid solution processing remains a critical bottleneck facing the commercialization of these materials. This tutorial review provides an overview of the use of nanoconfining scaffolds to impose order onto solution-processed semiconducting films to overcome this limitation. For organic semiconducting small molecules and polymers, which typically exhibit strong crystal growth and charge transport anisotropy along different crystallographic directions, nanoconfining crystallization within nanopores and nanogrooves can preferentially orient the fast charge transport direction of crystals with the direction of current flow in devices. Nanoconfinement can also stabilize high-performance metastable polymorphs by shifting their relative Gibbs free energies via increasing the surface area-to-volume ratio. Promisingly, such nanoconfinement-induced improvements in film and crystal structures have been demonstrated to enhance the performance and stability of emerging optoelectronics that will enable large-scale manufacturing of flexible, lightweight displays and solar cells.

A computational study of anisotropic charge transport in air-stable fluorinated benzobisbenzothiophene (FBBBT) derivatives

A computational study of anisotropical charge transport properties of fluorinated benzobisbenzothiohphene derivatives (FBBBT) is presented. The values of IP_adia of all FBBBTs are found in the range of 6.00-6.20 eV inferring the fact that the investigated compounds have ambient air-stability. In addition, the energy levels of FBBBT s are found to be lower than those of benzobisbenzothiophene (BBBT) compound indicating higher charge carrier stability in the former. Hirshfield surface analyses showed that, in all the studied compounds, the principal identifiable interaction were mostly due to F⋯H and H⋯H intermolecular couplings with no contribution from S⋯S bondings. The calculated maximum μ_hole(μ_elec) value of the compounds FBBBT-a and FBBBT-b was found to be 0.483 (0.794) cm²V^- 1s^- 1 and 0.688 (0.542) cm²V^- 1s^- 1 respectively in the direction of transistor channel (Φ = 93.39 ^∘(273.30^∘) for FBBBT-a and Φ = 92.24 ^∘/272.72 ^∘ for FBBBT-b). For FBBBT-c, the maximum μ_elec(μ_hole) value of 0.933 (0.233) cm²V^- 1s^- 1 appeared for Φ = 0 ^∘/179.90 ^∘. In addition, the compounds FBBBT-a and FBBBT-b possess two additional fluorine atoms attached at the X positions in the backbone, which result in an increment in μ_elec values (1.4 times and 0.78 times higher than μ_hole) in these two compounds at a particular crystal direction.

Strong Enhancement of π-Electron Donor/Acceptor Ability by Complementary DD/AA Hydrogen Bonding

π-Conjugated organic materials possess a wide range of tunable optoelectronic properties which are dictated by their molecular structure and supramolecular arrangement. While many efforts have been put into tuning the molecular structure to achieve the desired properties, rational supramolecular control remains a challenge. Here, we report a novel series of supramolecular materials formed by the co-assembly of weak π-electron donor (indolo[2,3-a]carbazole) and acceptor (aromatic o-quinones) molecules via complementary hydrogen bonding. The resulting polarization creates a drastic perturbation of the molecular energy levels, causing strong charge transfer in the weak donor-acceptor pairs. This leads to a significant lowering (up to 1.5 eV) of the band gaps, intense absorption in the near-IR region, very short π-stacking distances (≥3.15 Å), and strong ESR signals in the co-crystals. By varying the strength of the acceptor, the characteristics of the complexes can be tuned between intrinsic, gate-, or light-induced semiconductivity with a p-type or ambipolar transport mechanism.

Organic crystalline materials in flexible electronics

Flexible electronics have attracted considerable attention recently given their potential to revolutionize human lives. High-performance organic crystalline materials (OCMs) are considered strong candidates for next-generation flexible electronics such as displays, image sensors, and artificial skin. They not only have great advantages in terms of flexibility, molecular diversity, low-cost, solution processability, and inherent compatibility with flexible substrates, but also show less grain boundaries with minimal defects, ensuring excellent and uniform electronic characteristics. Meanwhile, OCMs also serve as a powerful tool to probe the intrinsic electronic and mechanical properties of organics and reveal the flexible device physics for further guidance for flexible materials and device design. While the past decades have witnessed huge advances in OCM-based flexible electronics, this review is intended to provide a timely overview of this fascinating field. First, the crystal packing, charge transport, and assembly protocols of OCMs are introduced. State-of-the-art construction strategies for aligned/patterned OCM on/into flexible substrates are then discussed in detail. Following this, advanced OCM-based flexible devices and their potential applications are highlighted. Finally, future directions and opportunities for this field are proposed, in the hope of providing guidance for future research.

Reactive Dedoping of Polymer Semiconductors To Boost Self-Powered Schottky Diode Performances

A facile and strategic junction tuning technology is reported to boost self-powered organic Schottky photodiode (OPD) performances by synergetic contributions of reactive dedoping effects. It is shown that dedoping poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3HT) films with 1-propylamine (PA) solution significantly reduces not only acceptor-defect density but also intrinsic doping level, leading to dramatically enlarged depletion width of metal/polymer Schottky junctions, as confirmed by ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy and Mott-Schottky junction analyses. As a result, whole penetration regions of photons corresponding to absorption bands of P3HT can be fully covered by the depletion region of Schottky junctions, even without the assistance of external electric fields. In addition, it is shown that non-solvent exposure effects of PA dedoping further enable lower paracrystalline disorder and, thus, higher charge carrier mobility, by means of grazing incidence X-ray diffraction, field-effect mobility, and space-charge-limited current analyses. As a result of such synergetic advantages of the PA dedoping method, non-power-driven green-selective OPDs were demonstrated with a high specific detectivity exceeding 6 × 10¹² Jones and a low noise-equivalent power of 5.05 × 10^-14 W Hz^-0.5. Together with a fast temporal response of 26.9 μs and a wide linear dynamic range of 201 dB, the possibility of realizing non-power-driven, near-ideal optimization of solution-processed OPDs with a facile dedoping method is demonstrated.

Chemistry and Properties of Indolocarbazoles

The indolocarbazoles are an important class of nitrogen heterocycles which has evolved significantly in recent years, with numerous studies focusing on their diverse biological effects, or targeting new materials with potential applications in organic electronics. This review aims at providing a broad survey of the chemistry and properties of indolocarbazoles from an interdisciplinary point of view, with particular emphasis on practical synthetic aspects, as well as certain topics which have not been previously accounted for in detail, such as the occurrence, formation, biological activities, and metabolism of indolo[3,2- b]carbazoles. The literature of the past decade forms the basis of the text, which is further supplemented with older key references.

Organic semiconductor crystals

A comprehensive overview of organic semiconductor crystals is provided, including the physicochemical features, the control of crystallization and the device physics.

Heterogeneous Monolithic Integration of Single-Crystal Organic Materials

Manufacturing high-performance organic electronic circuits requires the effective heterogeneous integration of different nanoscale organic materials with uniform morphology and high crystallinity in a desired arrangement. In particular, the development of high-performance organic electronic and optoelectronic devices relies on high-quality single crystals that show optimal intrinsic charge-transport properties and electrical performance. Moreover, the heterogeneous integration of organic materials on a single substrate in a monolithic way is highly demanded for the production of fundamental organic electronic components as well as complex integrated circuits. Many of the various methods that have been designed to pattern multiple heterogeneous organic materials on a substrate and the heterogeneous integration of organic single crystals with their crystal growth are described here. Critical issues that have been encountered in the development of high-performance organic integrated electronics are also addressed.

Synthesis of Linearly Fused Benzodipyrrole Based Organic Materials

The objective of this review is to give an overview of the synthetic methods to prepare different indolo[3,2-b]carbazoles and similar systems with a potential use in electro-optical devices such as OLEDs (organic light emitting diode), OPVs (organic photovoltaic) and OFETs (organic field effect transistor). Some further modifications to the core units and their implications for specific applications are also discussed.

Inkjet-Assisted Nanotransfer Printing for Large-Scale Integrated Nanopatterns of Various Single-Crystal Organic Materials

Inkjet-assisted nanotransfer printing (inkjet-NTP) facilitates spatial control of many arrays of various organic functional materials on a single substrate with a high-throughput integration process, enabling monolithic integration of various organic nanopatterns. Inkjet-NTP enables wafer-scale organic electronic circuits composed of field-effect transistors, complementary inverters, and p-n diodes, demonstrating its capability to produce a high-performance, multifunctional organic chip.

Interfacial Engineering for Enhanced Light Absorption and Charge Transfer of a Solution-Processed Bulk Heterojunction Based on Heptazole as a Small Molecule Type of Donor

In the present study, a solution-processed organic semiconductor based on indolocarbazole derivative (heptazole) is introduced as a p-type donor material for a bulk-heterojunction photovoltaic device. The heptazole has an optical band gap of 2.97 eV, and its highest occupied molecular orbital-lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy levels are compactable with the PC60BM to construct a donor-acceptor heterojuction for energy harvesting and transfer. When the bulk-heterojunction photovoltaic devices consisting of ITO/PEDOT:PSS/heptazole:PC60BM/Al with different blending ratio of heptazole:PC60BM were constructed, the cell with 1:1 blending ratio exhibited the best power conversion efficiency. Further, when an indoline organic dye (D149) was introduced as an interfacial modifier to the above donor/acceptor bulk heterojunction, the device demonstrated an enhanced overall power conversion efficiency from 1.26% to 2.51% hence demonstrating enhancement by the factor of 100%. The device was further characterized using electronic absorption spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and the photovoltage decay kinetics. These studies reveal that the enhanced power conversion efficiency of the device is due to the enhanced charge transfer with the complementary light absorption feature of the interfacial D149 dye molecules.

Alignment and Patterning of Ordered Small-Molecule Organic Semiconductor Micro-/Nanocrystals for Device Applications

Large-area alignment and patterning of small-molecule organic semiconductor micro-/nanocrystals (SMOSNs) at desired locations is a prerequisite for their practical device applications. Recent strategies for alignment and patterning of ordered SMOSNs and their corresponding device applications are highlighted.

Pi-Extended Diindole-Fused Azapentacenone: Synthesis, Characterization, and Photophysical and Lithium-Storage Properties

Pi-extended polyaromatics tend to exhibit improved electronic properties with respect to the intrinsic structures. Herein, the rational design of a π-extended diindole-fused diazapentacenone (IP), with a nine-ring-fused core, obtained by applying an intramolecular Friedel-Crafts diacylation synthetic routine, is reported. The chemical structure, physical properties, and morphology of IP were fully characterized. Serving as an organic cathode material for a lithium-ion battery, the as-prepared nanorods of π-extended IP display higher conductivity and superior electrochemical performance than those of the naked diazapentacenone without diindole fusion.

The impact of Cr adhesion layer on CNFET electrical characteristics

The effect of a Cr adhesion layer on the transfer characteristics of Cr/Au-contacted carbon nanotube field-effect transistors (CNFETs) based on individual single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) is presented in this paper. We show that a very thin Cr layer (≈0.4 nm) already has an impact on the carrier transport in Schottky-barrier-modulated CNFETs. The ratio of the p- and n-branch current is reduced by eight times when the Cr adhesion layer thickness is increased from 0 to 8 nm. We suggest a change in Schottky barrier height at the contact as the determining mechanism for this result. Additionally, superior lifetime of devices is observed even for non-passivated CNFETs with preserved clean SWNT/Cr/Au-contacts using Cr layer thinner than 2 nm. Our experiments show that the role of the adhesion layer in metal/nanotube contacts should be explicitly considered when designing CNTFET-based circuits, developing CNFET fabrication processes, and analyzing the corresponding properties of the electrical contacts.

A diversity-oriented approach to indolocarbazoles via Fischer indolization and olefin metathesis: total synthesis of tjipanazole D and I

New synthetic strategies to indolocarbazoles have been reported via two-fold Fischer indolization under green conditions using l-(+)-tartaric acid and N,N-dimethyl urea.

High-Performing Thin-Film Transistors in Large Spherulites of Conjugated Polymer Formed by Epitaxial Growth on Removable Organic Crystalline Templates

Diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP)-based conjugated polymer PDTDPPQT was synthesized and was used to perform epitaxial polymer crystal growth on removable 1,3,5-trichlorobenzene crystallite templates. A thin-film transistor (TFT) was successfully fabricated in well-grown large spherulites of PDTDPPQT. The charge carrier mobility along the radial direction of the spherulites was measured to be 5.46-12.04 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1), which is significantly higher than that in the direction perpendicular to the radial direction. The dynamic response of charge transport was also investigated by applying a pulsed bias to TFTs loaded with a resistor (∼20 MΩ). The charge-transport behaviors along the radial direction and perpendicular to the radial direction were investigated by static and dynamic experiments through a resistor-loaded (RL) inverter. The RL inverter made of PDTDPPQT-based TFT operates well, maintaining a fairly high switching voltage ratio (Vout(ON)/Vout(OFF)) at a relatively high frequency when the source-drain electrodes are aligned parallel to the radial direction.

Self-assembly of functional molecules into 1D crystalline nanostructures

Self-assembled functional nanoarchitectures are employed as important nanoscale building blocks for advanced materials and smart miniature devices to fulfill the increasing needs of high materials usage efficiency, low energy consumption, and high-performance devices. One-dimensional (1D) crystalline nanostructures, especially molecule-composed crystalline nanostructures, attract significant attention due to their fascinating infusion structure and functionality which enables the easy tailoring of organic molecules with excellent carrier mobility and crystal stability. In this review, we discuss the recent progress of 1D crystalline self-assembled nanostructures of functional molecules, which include both a small molecule-derived and a polymer-based crystalline nanostructure. The basic principles of the molecular structure design and the process engineering of 1D crystalline nanostructures are also discussed. The molecular building blocks, self-assembly structures, and their applications in optical, electrical, and photoelectrical devices are overviewed and we give a brief outlook on crucial issues that need to be addressed in future research endeavors.

Organic nanowire fabrication and device applications

Organic nanowires (ONWs) are flexible, stretchable, and have good electrical properties, and therefore have great potential for use in next-generation textile and wearable electronics. Analysis of trends in ONWs supports their great potential for various stretchable and flexible electronic applications such as flexible displays and flexible photovoltaics. Numerous methods can be used to prepare ONWs, but the practical industrial application of ONWs has not been achieved because of the lack of reliable techniques for controlling and patterning of individual nanowires. Therefore, an "individually controllable" technique to fabricate ONWs is essential for practical device applications. In this paper, three types of fabrication methods of ONWs are reviewed: non-alignment methods, massive-alignment methods, and individual-alignment methods. Recent research on electronic and photonic device applications of ONWs is then reviewed. Finally, suggestions for future research are put forward.

Pro-aromatic and anti-aromatic π-conjugated molecules: an irresistible wish to be diradicals

Pro-aromatic and anti-aromatic π-conjugated molecules are demonstrated to have an irresistible wish to be diradicals in the ground state.

Indolocarbazole based small molecules: an efficient hole transporting material for perovskite solar cells

Compared to Spiro-OMeTAD, an improved photovoltaic performance of the C12-carbazole based device is obtained due to the better hole extraction ability of the C12-carbazole.

Fabrication and physical properties of self-assembled ultralong polymer/small molecule hybrid microstructures

The present work showed a novel approach to fabricate polymer/small molecule hybrid microstructures, and the transport characteristics and morphologies of the as-fabricated wires with different ratios of the two different components.

Heteroatom substituted organic/polymeric semiconductors and their applications in field-effect transistors

Organic/polymeric semiconductors are mainly composed of aromatic systems including phenyl, vinyl, alkynyl, thienyl, and other isoelectric groups, which are constructed of carbon, hydrogen, and so-called 'hereroatoms' including chalcogen, nitrogen, and halogen atoms etc. The introduction of heteroatoms could yield different electronic properties by influencing the molecular geometry, the HOMO and LUMO energy levels, intermolecular interactions and so on. In this Research News article, we provide a brief review of the effect of heteroatoms and recent developments in heteroatom substituted organic/polymeric semiconductors, focusing especially on their application in field-effect transistors.

Template-guided solution-shearing method for enhanced charge carrier mobility in diketopyrrolopyrrole-based polymer field-effect transistors

Template-guided solution-shearing (TGSS) is used to fabricate field-effect transistors (FETs) composed of micropatterned prisms as active channels. The prisms comprise highly crystalline PTDPP-DTTE, in which diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP) is flanked by thiophene. The FET has a maximum mobility of approximately 7.43 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1) , which is much higher than the mobility values of the thin-film transistors with solution-sheared or spin-coated films of PTDPP-DTTE annealed at 200 °C.