Semiconductors for organic transistors

Organic molecules/polymers with a π-conjugated (hetero)aromatic backbone are capable of transporting charge and interact efficiently with light. Therefore, these systems can act as semiconductors in opto-electronic devices similar to inorganic materials. However, organic chemistry offers tools for tailoring materials' functional properties via modifications of the molecular/monomeric units, opening new possibilities for inexpensive device manufacturing. This article reviews the fundamental aspects behind the structural design/realization of p- (hole transporting) and n-channel (electron-transporting) semiconductors for organic field-effect transistors (OFETs). An introduction to OFET principles and history, as well as of the state-of-the-art organic semiconductor structure and performance of OFETs is provided.