Charge Polarity Control in Organic Transistors of Mixed and Segregated Complexes Based on Diaminonaphthalene and Pyrene

Organic cocrystals of diaminonaphthalene (DAN) and diaminopyrene (DAP) with bromanil (BA) and tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) are an exemplar system for understanding the charge-transport process, where from the viewpoint of partition theory, orbital symmetry plays a crucial role in controlling the carrier charge polarity of transistors. In the mixed-stack complexes of BA and other p-quinone acceptors, a comparatively weak donor, 1,5-DAN, shows p-channel characteristics owing to the counteractive contribution of the next highest occupied molecular orbital for electron transport. This characteristic behavior occurs because the BA molecule, situated on top of the amino group, overlaps with half of the DAN molecule. By contrast, the BA and TCNQ complexes of a stronger donor, 1,6-DAP, exhibit n-channel transport due to the cooperative path and orthogonal orbitals. Similarly, TCNQ complexes of variously substituted DAN show n-channel transport, where the TCNQ molecules are located on top of the DAN molecules. However, when the carbon electrodes of (1,5-DAN)(BA) are replaced by silver, electron transport appears due to the competitive effect of the Schottky barriers. In a highly conducting segregated complex of (1,6-DAP)(TCNQ), ambipolar transistor characteristics are observed without subtracting the bulk current by using carefully prepared thin-film transistors.

Small-molecule ambipolar transistors

Ambipolar transistor properties have been observed in various small-molecule materials. Since a small energy gap is necessary, many types of molecular designs including extended π-skeletons as well as the incorporation of donor and acceptor units have been attempted. In addition to the energy levels, an inert passivation layer is important to observe ambipolar transistor properties. Ambipolar transport has been observed in extraordinary π-electron systems such as antiaromatic compounds, biradicals, radicals, metal complexes, and hydrogen-bonded materials. Several donor/acceptor cocrystals show ambipolar transport as well.

Charge injected proton transfer in indigo derivatives

In analogy with excited-state proton transfer, proton transfer is significantly facilitated in cationic and anionic molecules of indigo derivatives generated in field-effect transistors. We have prepared extended and truncated indigo derivatives and investigated their ambipolar transistor properties. Since the proton transfer reduces the energy gap from 2.2 to 0.4 eV, the proton transferred states are stabilized in the charge injected cationic and anionic states; the energy increase is as small as 0.5 eV, which is half of that in the neutral state. The intermolecular proton transfer enlarges the equilibrium N-H distance typically by 0.03 Å, and improves the donor and acceptor abilities by 0.2-0.4 eV, though the reorganization energy is practically unchanged. In addition, the transfer integrals along the hydrogen bonds are as large as one third of the columnar transfers, to facilitate the two-dimensional carrier conduction. The influence of proton transfer is most significant in indigo and truncated indigo derivatives, though isoindigo and quinacridone exhibit similar properties. Accordingly, indigo derivatives show much better donor and acceptor abilities than those expected from isolated molecules.

Alkali Doping Leads to Charge-Transfer Salt Formation in a Two-Dimensional Metal-Organic Framework

Efficient charge transfer across metal-organic interfaces is a key physical process in modern organic electronics devices, and characterization of the energy level alignment at the interface is crucial to enable a rational device design. We show that the insertion of alkali atoms can significantly change the structure and electronic properties of a metal-organic interface. Coadsorption of tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) and potassium on a Ag(111) surface leads to the formation of a two-dimensional charge transfer salt, with properties quite different from those of the two-dimensional Ag adatom TCNQ metal-organic framework formed in the absence of K doping. We establish a highly accurate structural model by combination of quantitative X-ray standing wave measurements, scanning tunnelling microscopy, and density-functional theory (DFT) calculations. Full agreement between the experimental data and the computational prediction of the structure is only achieved by inclusion of a charge-transfer-scaled dispersion correction in the DFT, which correctly accounts for the effects of strong charge transfer on the atomic polarizability of potassium. The commensurate surface layer formed by TCNQ and K is dominated by strong charge transfer and ionic bonding and is accompanied by a structural and electronic decoupling from the underlying metal substrate. The consequence is a significant change in energy level alignment and work function compared to TCNQ on Ag(111). Possible implications of charge-transfer salt formation at metal-organic interfaces for organic thin-film devices are discussed.

Thermoelectric power of oriented thin-film organic conductors

The temperature dependence of thermoelectric power is investigated down to low temperatures for oriented thin films of organic conductors.

Charge transfer process at the Ag/MPH/TiO2interface by SERS: alignment of the Fermi level

A nanoscale metal–molecule–semiconductor assembly (Ag/4-mercaptophenol/TiO₂) has been fabricated over Au nanoparticle (NP) films as a model to study the interfacial charge transfer (CT) effects involved in Ag/MPH/TiO₂.

Adjusting the cation and anion nature in ionic liquids used for the growth control of nanoparticles of organic conductors

Ionic liquids are used for controlling the growth of organic conductors as nanoparticles. We review the conditions of preparation of nanoparticles of conductors derived from tetrathiafulvalene (TTF), tetramethyltetraselenafulvalene (TMTSF) and bis-ethylenedithiotetrathiafulvalene (BEDT-TTF). They are prepared by electrocrystallization using an ionic liquid supporting electrolyte in which the cation plays the role of growth controller and the anion enters the composition of the expected organic conductor. Stable suspensions of nanoparticles are obtained in one case, a valuable characteristic for potential applications in electronic devices.

Organic metal engineering for enhanced field-effect transistor performance

The use of charge transfer salts in OFETs offers unique possibilities for enhancing the device performance.

Colloidal solutions of organic conductive nanoparticles

Although molecular metals have been known for decades, their insolubility, low vapor pressure, and synthesis routes have prevented them from being integrated into electronic devices. We have prepared stable colloidal solutions of the organic metal TTF-TCNQ that overcome such difficulties. The solutions contain well-dispersed nanoparticles stabilized by long alkyl chain amines. They afford soluble powders by evaporation and homogeneous thin films by drop-casting. Powders and films show room temperature conductivities in the 0.01-0.1 S cm(-1) range.