Percolation behaviour in high mobility p-channel polymer/small-molecule blend organic field-effect transistors

Organic transistors based on blends of 2,8-difluoro-5,11-bis(triethylsilylethynyl) anthradithiophene (diF-TES ADT) and poly(triarylamine) [PTAA] are strong candidates for application in future large-volume organic electronics because of their record breaking carrier mobility and environmental stability. Here we report on the dependence of hole transport on the composition of diF-TES ADT:PTAA blends. Maximum mobility is obtained only for blends containing ⩾39 wt.% diF-TES ADT. At compositions below this threshold the hole mobility is drastically reduced and is found to be equal to that of the neat polymer matrix, i.e. PTAA (∼10−3 cm2/V s). Scanning atomic force and polarised light microscopy, combined with differential scanning calorimetry, show that this threshold corresponds to the appearance of crystalline, acene-rich regions in such blend films, and the formation of high mobility conduction pathways between the source and drain electrodes. The dependence of hole mobility on diF-TES ADT concentration can be modelled using a simple percolation model. The present results provide important insights into the microstructure evolution in this high performance semiconducting blend and could prove valuable for the development of the next generation organic transistors.

Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideResearch highlights
► The composition dependence of hole transport in polymer: small-molecule organic blends is studied.
► Hole mobility in these solution processed blend films is high and typically on the order of 2 cm2/V s.
► This is because hole transport takes place, primarily, across the small-molecule crystallites located at the surface of the phase-separated blend film.
► Percolation of between the small-molecule crystallites determines the hole mobility.