Rapid Meniscus‐Assisted Solution‐Printing of Conjugated Block Copolymers for Field‐Effect Transistors

Abstract

The ability to rapidly and precisely position semiconducting π-conjugated polymers over a large area is necessary for various device-related applications. However, the investigation into conjugated block copolymer-based patterned materials and devices is somewhat limited. Herein, a robust meniscus-assisted solution printing (MASP) route to highly ordered stripe arrays of conjugated poly(3-butylthiophene)-block-poly(3-dodecylthiophene) (P3BT-b-P3DDT) is reported, and different periodic stripes are correlated to their charge mobilities. The MASP renders the confined evaporation of P3BT-b-P3DDT solution between two nearly parallel plates and deposition into periodic stripes owing to the coffee-ring effect. Remarkably, two types of stripe arrays, namely, large-size stripe arrays and hierarchical arrays comprising small secondary stripes located between neighboring large-size primary stripes are yielded, where their dimension and period can be delicately tailored. Finally, a distinct correlation between various stripe arrays of P3BTb-P3DDT and the corresponding charge mobility is revealed. Conceptually, such convenient production of P3BT-b-P3DDT stripe arrays via MASP can be readily extended to other π-conjugated polymers and diversity of nanomaterials for potential applications in optoelectronic devices.

Transforming Polymorphs via Meniscus-Assisted Solution-Shearing Conjugated Polymers for Organic Field-Effect Transistors

“…P3BT (number-average molecular weight, M n = 3 K), P3OT ( M n = 2.8 K), and P3HS ( M n = 2.8 K) were synthesized via Kumada catalyst-transfer polymerization (Figures S1 and S2). Figure a depicts the MASS process in which the P3BT CHCl 3 /TCB solution was confined in a restricted geometry comprising two nearly parallel plates − ,− ( i . e ., a movable lower plate (flat Si substrate) and a stationary upper plate (glass slide)) (see the Experimental Section).…”

“…To date, several effective strategies (solution aging, electrochemical doping, solution shearing, − thermal annealing, rubbing, etc .) have emerged to control the solid-state packing of conjugated polymers for achieving efficient charge transport.…”

Diselenophene‐Dithioalkylthiophene Based Quinoidal Small Molecules for Ambipolar Organic Field Effect Transistors

“…The solution‐shearing method allows for the aligned growth of semiconductor crystals by controlling various processing parameters such as shearing speed, substrate temperature, solvent choice, and semiconductor concentration. [ 79 , 80 , 81 , 82 ] This method enables the formation of an optimized film with well‐aligned structures under the influence of the shearing force. It is worth noting that DSpDSTQ derivatives exhibit great solubility in ortho‐dichlorobenzene ( o ‐DCB), making them suitable for solution processing.…”

3D Meniscus‐Guided Evaporative Assembly for Rapid Template‐Free Synthesis of Highly Crystalline Perovskite Nanowire Arrays

“…Alternatively, a conventional evaporative assembly method has been explored as a promising method for the solution-phase grown nanowire assembly or a direct growth of nanowires from their precursor dispersion. [44,45] Although this approach allows to assembly or direct synthesis of an aligned perovskite nanowire array, the need for spatially well-defined templates makes the process more complicated and the entire process requires a significant amount of time. [46] Here, we report a facile strategy for a scalable rapid templatefree synthesis of aligned highly crystalline CsPbI 3 nanowire arrays via a 3D-meniscus-guided evaporative assembly based on a stick-slip motion-controlled solution printing.…”