Organic field effect transistors fabricated using a composite of poly(9-vinylcarbazole) and pentacene precursor

Organic field effect transistors (OFETs) were fabricated using a solution processable composite of a pentacene precursor and poly(9-vinylcarbazole) (PVK) used for the combinatorial properties of its small molecules and polymers. The pentacene precursor was synthesized by a Diels–Alder reaction from pentacene with N-sulfinylbutylcarbamate in the presence of a catalytic amount of a palladium compound. A composite system of the pentacene precursor with PVK was investigated for OFET device performance. The photophysical and thermal properties of the blending system were characterized, and the film morphology was investigated by using atomic force microscopy (AFM). A maximum hole mobility of 2.2 × 10−2 cm2 V−1 s−1 was achieved with a threshold voltage of −4 V and on/off current ratio of 1.8 × 106.

► A solution-processable pentacene precursor was synthesized by Diels–Alder reaction. ► A composite system of the pentacene with PVK was investigated for OFET device. ► A hole mobility of 2.2 × 10−2 cm2 V−1 s−1 was achieved with a threshold voltage of −4 V.