Organic Semiconducing Thin Films: Device Applications and Beyond

Abstract

Organic semiconductors show great promise for device applications, particularly as organic thin film transistors (OTFTs) and organic photovoltaics (OPVs), due to their potential for low cost, high volume fabrication when compared to traditional inorganic semiconductors. While the performance of organic devices generally lags behind the more established inorganic devices, significant growth in the field of organic semiconductors has led to rapid improvements. In this thesis, device operation and characterization of OTFT and OPV systems are explained, the dramatic effects of fabrication procedures on the charge transport performance of OTFTs are demonstrated, and the reproducibility issues inherent to OPVs are explored. The potential for self-healing behavior in organic semiconductors is also investigated.