Naphthalene-imide Semiconductor Polymers for High Mobility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current organic semiconductor technologies face challenges in achieving high charge carrier mobilities, stability, and cost-effective processing, particularly for p-type and n-type materials, which are essential for efficient device operations in ambient conditions.

Innovation Solution

Development of naphthalene-based semiconducting polymers with specific structural features, such as naphthalene imide and monocyclic moieties, that exhibit excellent charge transport characteristics, chemical stability, and low-temperature processability, enabling high-performance field-effect transistors and other organic semiconductor devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional organic semiconductor materials are used, then device performance can be achieved, but charge carrier mobilities are insufficient for high-efficiency transistor operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharge carrier mobilityVSAvoiddevice efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical structure of organic semiconductor materials by incorporating naphthalene imide units with specific substituents (such as fluorocarbon groups) to change the electronic and transport properties. This structural parameter change enables higher charge carrier mobilities while maintaining material stability and processability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates composite polymeric structures combining naphthalene imide units with various monocyclic moieties (such as thiophene, selenophene, or their fused ring systems). These composite structures leverage the electron-accepting nature of naphthalene imide with the conjugated properties of the cyclic units to achieve enhanced charge transport.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If high-performance semiconductor materials are developed, then charge transport characteristics improve, but material stability in ambient conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharge transport characteristicsVSAvoidambient stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces electron-withdrawing substituents (such as fluorocarbon groups) at specific positions on the naphthalene imide core. This localized modification creates regions of high electron density that are stabilized by the electron-withdrawing groups, improving both charge transport and ambient stability simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The use of fluorocarbon-substituted naphthalene imide units creates an inherently more chemically inert polymer structure. The strong C-F bonds and electron-deficient aromatic system provide resistance to oxidation and degradation in ambient conditions while maintaining good charge transport properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

3Reliability

If complex semiconductor materials are synthesized, then device performance improves, but processing cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice performanceVSAvoidprocessing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs polycondensation reactions using readily available monomers and standard catalysts to synthesize the naphthalene imide-based polymers. By changing the synthesis parameters (such as using solution-phase polymerization with common solvents), the process becomes more cost-effective while maintaining high device performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces complex multi-step synthesis routes with a streamlined polycondensation approach. This substitution of the synthesis mechanism reduces the number of purification steps, decreases manufacturing time, and lowers overall processing costs while delivering high-performance semiconductor materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP2240529B1Naphthalene-imide semiconductor polymers
Publication Date: 2017.07.19 FLEXTERRA INC
  • EP2240529B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2240529B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2240529B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed are new semiconductor materials prepared from naphthalene-imide copolymers. Such polymers can exhibit desirable electronic properties and can possess processing advantages including solution-processability and/or good stability at ambient conditions.