Oligo- and polymeric FET devices: Thiophene-based active materials and their interaction with different gate dielectrics

Derivatives of both oligo- and polythiophene-based FET were recently considered for low cost electronic applications. In the device optimization, factors like redox reversibility of the molecule/polymer, electronic level compatibility with source/drain electrodes, packing closeness, and orientation versus the electrodes, can determine the overall performance. In addition, a gate insulator with a high dielectric constant, a low leakage current, and capability to promote ordering in the semiconductor is required to increase device performances and to lower the FET operating voltage. In this view, Al2O3appears a good candidate, although its widespread adoption is limited by the disorder that such oxide induces on the semiconductor with detrimental consequences on semiconductor electrical properties. In this contribution, an overview of recent results obtained on thiophene-derivative-based FET devices, fabricated by different growth techniques, and using both thermally grown SiO2 and Al2O3 from atomic layer deposition gate insulators will be reported and discussed with particular reference to organic solid state aggregation, morphology, and organic–inorganic interface.