Polycyclic anthanthrene small molecules: semiconductors for organic field-effect transistors and solar cells applications

Anthanthrene small molecules with different pendant groups were investigated as semiconductors for organic field-effect transistors and solar cells. Field-effect mobilities were greatly improved with solvent annealing and reached maximum values of 0.078 cm(2) V-1 s(-1) for a thiophene-appended anthanthrene derivative. When used as donors in conjunction with PC61BM in bulk heterojunction solar cells, a maximum PCE of 2.4% was achieved with good V-oc and FF of 0.77 V and 59%, respectively. Although solvent annealing induced J-aggregation of all anthanthrene compounds, such processing step did not necessarily improved the solar cell J-V characteristics as opposed to the field effect mobility. The results showcase the potential of the polycyclic anthanthrene core as a building block for organic electronics.