Substrate-induced phase of a [1]benzothieno[3,2-b]benzothiophene derivative and phase evolution by aging and solvent vapor annealing

Jones, Andrew O. F. and Geerts, Yves H. and Karpinska, Jolanta and Kennedy, Alan R. and Resel, Roland and Röthel, Christian and Ruzié, Christian and Werzer, Oliver and Sferrazza, Michele (2015) Substrate-induced phase of a [1]benzothieno[3,2-b]benzothiophene derivative and phase evolution by aging and solvent vapor annealing. ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, 7 (3). pp. 1868-1873. ISSN 1944-8244 (https://doi.org/10.1021/am5075908)

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Abstract

Substrate-induced phases (SIPs) are polymorphic phases that are found in thin films of a material and are different from the single crystal or "bulk" structure of a material. In this work, we investigate the presence of a SIP in the family of [1]benzothieno[3,2-b]benzothiophene (BTBT) organic semiconductors and the effect of aging and solvent vapor annealing on the film structure. Through extensive X-ray structural investigations of spin coated films, we find a SIP with a significantly different structure to that found in single crystals of the same material forms; the SIP has a herringbone motif while single crystals display layered π-π stacking. Over time, the structure of the film is found to slowly convert to the single crystal structure. Solvent vapor annealing initiates the same structural evolution process but at a greatly increased rate, and near complete conversion can be achieved in a short period of time. As properties such as charge transport capability are determined by the molecular structure, this work highlights the importance of understanding and controlling the structure of organic semiconductor films and presents a simple method to control the film structure by solvent vapor annealing.

  • Item type:Article
    ID code:51854
    Dates:
    Date
    Event
    28 January 2015
    Published
    8 January 2015
    Published Online
    Notes:Date pf Acceptance: 08/01/2015
    Subjects:Science > Chemistry
    Department:Faculty of Science > Pure and Applied Chemistry
    Depositing user: Pure Administrator
    Date deposited:23 Feb 2015 11:36
    Last modified:20 Apr 2024 00:22
    URI:https://strathprints.strath.ac.uk/id/eprint/51854
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