Liquid crystalline self-assembly of azulene–thiophene hybrids and their applications as OFET materials

Abstract

Orientational control within thin films is crucial for the preparation of organic field effect transistors (OFETs). The highly ordered liquid crystalline smectic E phase (SmE) is known as a powerful template for solution processed thin films. Here, we describe the synthesis and characterization of three novel azulene–thiophene hybrid materials. Liquid crystalline characterization showed the presence of wide SmE phases. Thin films were prepared by spin-coating at mesophase temperature. Due to the self-aligning properties of the SmE phase uniformly flat films with good molecular alignment were manufactured. Top contact bottom gate OFETs showed mobilities up to (3.3 ± 0.5) × 10⁻³ cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹.