6,13-Dicyano pentacene-2,3:9,10-bis(dicarboximide) for solution-processed air-stable n-channel field effect transistors and complementary circuit

Abstract

Aromatic diimides have attracted much attention due to their unique properties and potential applications for n-channel organic field effect transistors (OFETs). In this study, N,N′-dialkyl-6,13-dicyano pentacene-2,3:9,10-bis(dicarboximide) (1) was synthesized and used in n-channel OFETs. The photophysical, electrochemical and thermal properties of 1 were investigated. The low LUMO energy level (−4.15 eV) located within the air stability window ensures air-stable n-channel operation. Solution-processed top-contact thin film transistors based on such linear aromatic dicarboximide showed typical n-channel characteristics with a high electron mobility of up to 0.08 cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹ and a high I_on/I_off ratio of 10⁶ to 10⁷. The devices exhibited good air stability when exposed to air for several months. Complementary inverters based on n-type 1 and p-type TIPS-pentacene were fabricated, which showed a maximum voltage gain (−dV_OUT/dV_IN) of 57.