A Water-Soluble Polythiophene for Organic Field-Effect Transistors

Journal Article · Mon Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 2012 · Polymer Chemistry

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1039/c2py21020g· OSTI ID:1093722

Shao, Ming ^[1]; He, Youjun ^[1]; Hong, Kunlun ^[1]; Rouleau, Christopher M ^[1]; Geohegan, David B ^[1]; Xiao, Kai ^[1]

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1. ORNL

Synthesis of a non-ionic, water-soluble poly(thiophene) (PT) derivative, poly(3-(2-(2-methoxyethoxy) ethoxy)ethoxy) methylthiophene) (P3TEGT) with a hydrophilic tri-ethylene glycol side group, is reported and thin films of the polymer suitable for organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) are characterized by combining analysis techniques that include UV-Vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, and atomic force microscopy. After thermal annealing, P3TEGT films exhibit a well-organized nanofibrillar lamellar nanostructure that originates from the strong - stacking of the thiophene backbones. P-type organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) with hole mobilities of 10-5 cm2V-1s-1 were fabricated from this water-soluble poly(thiophene) derivative, demonstrating the possibility that environmentally-friendly solvents may be promising alternatives for the low-cost, green solution-based organic electronic device manufacturing of OFETs, organic photovoltaics (OPVs), and biosensors.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL); Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences
• Sponsoring Organization: SC USDOE - Office of Science (SC)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-00OR22725
• OSTI ID: 1093722
• Journal Information: Polymer Chemistry, Journal Name: Polymer Chemistry Journal Issue: 20 Vol. 4; ISSN 1759-9954
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English