Journal Article

Organic Semiconductors Processed from Synthesis‐to‐Device in Water

Khan, Raja U., Aphichatpanichakul, Suphaluk, Zamhuri, Adibah, Tate, Daniel J., Turner, Michael L., Marcial‐Hernandez, Raymundo, Broll, Sebastian, Rahmanudin, Aiman, Walton, Alex S., Foster, Andrew B.

2020

Overview

Organic semiconductors (OSCs) promise to deliver next‐generation electronic and energy devices that are flexible, scalable and printable. Unfortunately, realizing this opportunity is hampered by increasing concerns about the use of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particularly toxic halogenated solvents that are detrimental to the environment and human health. Here, a cradle‐to‐grave process is reported to achieve high performance p‐ and n‐type OSC devices based on indacenodithiophene and diketopyrrolopyrrole semiconducting polymers that utilizes aqueous‐processes, fewer steps, lower reaction temperatures, a significant reduction in VOCs (>99%) and avoids all halogenated solvents. The process involves an aqueous mini‐emulsion polymerization that generates a surfactant‐stabilized aqueous dispersion of OSC nanoparticles at sufficient concentration to permit direct aqueous processing into thin films for use in organic field‐effect transistors. Promisingly, the performance of these devices is comparable to those prepared using conventional synthesis and processing procedures optimized for large amounts of VOCs and halogenated solvents. Ultimately, the holistic approach reported addresses the environmental issues and enables a viable guideline for the delivery of future OSC devices using only aqueous media for synthesis, purification and thin‐film processing. An environmentally benign cradle‐to‐grave process from synthesis‐to‐device is demonstrated for high performance organic field‐effect transistors. This holistic approach uses aqueous processes from mini‐emulsion polymerization to purification and thin‐film deposition. Compared to conventional approaches, the process requires fewer steps, lower reaction temperatures, a significant reduction in the use of volatile organic compounds and avoids toxic halogenated solvents.

• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Inc,John Wiley and Sons Inc,Wiley
• Subject: Chromatography / Communication / Communications / conjugated polymers / Emulsion polymerization / mini‐emulsion polymerization / Molecular structure / Molecular weight / nanoparticles / organic field‐effect transistors / Polymers / Semiconductors / Solvents / Surfactants / Suzuki‐Miyaura coupling / Thin films / Transistors