Synthesis, Characterization and Organic Field-Effect Transistors Applications of Novel Tetrathienoacene Derivatives

Abstract Two novel organic semiconductors with tetrathienoacene (TTA) as the central core end-capped with 5-hexyl-2-thiophene, (Hex-T)2-TTA, and 4-hexyl-phenyl, (Hex-Ph)2-TTA, have been synthesized and investigated for organic field effect transistor (OFET) applications. The novel TTA derivatives were characterized by thermal gravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, UV–Vis spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry as well as studied by density functional theory calculations. Two types of OFETs with the solution and vacuum-deposited active layer were fabricated and characterized. Both TTA-derivatives demonstrated electroluminescence in OFETs, and (Hex-Ph)2-TTA showed ambipolar charge transport with the hole mobility as high as 0.68 cm2V−1s−1.