Novel triethylsilylethynyl anthracene-based organic semiconductors for high performance field effect transistors

Abstract

A series of triethylsilylethynyl anthracene (TESAN) derivatives, end-capped with bithiophene and thienothiophene, were synthesized by Suzuki coupling. The thermal, optical, electrochemical, and crystalline properties of the TESAN derivatives were reported and correlated with charge transport behavior measured via both a thin film transistor and a single crystal transistor. The TESAN derivative substituted with bithiophene exhibited more efficient pi electron delocalization over the molecule compared to the derivative substituted with fused thienothiophene, and consequently gave the highest FET mobility, 1.28 cm(2) V-1 s(-1), from single crystal transistors with negligible hysteresis and almost zero turn-on voltage. The discrepancy of charge carrier mobility between the thin film transistor and single crystal transistor and the solvent annealing effects are discussed in conjunction with morphological and structural analyses.