Novel molecular engineering and processing approaches for high-performance organic transistor devices: the role of polymer structure and morphology

用于电子应用的有机半导体的研究和开发在过去几年中显示出强劲的增长。多功能属性，如溶液加工性和低成本，使这些材料特别有吸引力的应用，如电子显示器上的柔性基板，有机场效应晶体管（OFFERT）和大面积光电子器件。然而，有机半导体中的载流子迁移率远低于其无机同系物。现在的证据表明，这些系统中的载流子迁移率取决于分子结构和组织。智力优点：我们的目标是实现更好地理解结构有序的载流子迁移率在聚合物为基础的电子器件的影响。我们建议专注于优化性能的OFFEST的基础上使用新的合成和加工技术，将实现无定形和高度结晶的聚合物形态的聚合物。我们的方法将包括材料结构变化和器件结构与器件性能的相关性。虽然器件的应用将集中在OFFERT，结论将涉及到广泛的导电聚合物technology.broader影响：这是在这个项目的目的是培养两名研究生和三名本科生研究人员在该地区的结构-性能-性能的关系所需的突破性技术，在电子聚合物为基础的设备。学生将有机会与当地公司Plextronics互动，Plextronics是有机发光二极管和光电子产品商业化的技术领导者。 研究人员还将与匹兹堡公立学校的教师（约60%的少数民族学生）合作，进行导电聚合物的实验。

Research and development of organic semiconductors for electronic applications have shown intense growth in the last few years. Versatile attributes, such as solution processability and low cost, render these materials particularly attractive for applications such as electronic displays on flexible substrates, organic field effect transistors (OFETs) and large-area photovoltaics. However, carrier mobilities in organic semiconductors are much lower than their inorganic homologues. Evidence now indicates that carrier mobility in these systems depends on molecular structure and organization. Intellectual merit: Our objective is to achieve better understanding of structural ordering effects on carrier mobility in polymer-based electronic devices. We propose to focus on optimizing the performance of OFETs based on polymers using novel synthesis and processing techniques that will achieve both amorphous and highly crystalline polymer morphologies. Our approach will include correlations of materials structural changes and device architecture with device performance. While the device applications will be focused on OFETs, the conclusions will pertain to a wide range of conducting polymer technologies.Broader impacts: It is the aim in this project to train two graduate students and three undergraduate researchers in the area of structure-property-performance relationships needed for breakthrough technologies in electronic polymer-based devices. The students will have opportunities to interact with Plextronics, a local company and a technology leader in commercialization of organic light-emitting diodes and photovoltaics. The investigators will also collaborate with teachers in the Pittsburgh Public Schools (~60% minority students) on projects to experiment with conducting polymers.