Solution-processed zinc tetrabenzoporphyrin thin-films and transistors

Thin-films and organic field-effect transistors fabricated from a solution-processable precursor of zinc tetrabenzoporphyrin (ZnTBP) are reported. Amorphous, insulating precursor films were deposited by spin-casting and thermally converted into polycrystalline, semiconducting thin-films comprising grains on the order of 5 μm in diameter. Thin-film X-ray diffraction indicates a monoclinic unit cell with molecules arranged in a herringbone pattern, which in conjunction with optical and atomic force microscopy indicate a thin-film with grains comprised of randomly oriented ZnTBP aggregates. Optical absorption measurements display broad absorption with bands characteristic of a D4h symmetric porphyrin molecule. Organic field-effect transistors displayed field-effect mobilities on the order of 10− 2 cm2/V s and ON-/OFF-current ratios exceeding 102.

► Zinc tetrabenzoporphyrin (ZnTBP) thin-films prepared by a precursor route. ► ZnTBP thin-films were polycrystalline, comprised of randomly oriented ZnTBP aggregates. ► Field-effect mobilities were observed exceeding 0.01 cm2/V s.