| Printable electronics offer enormous potential in their ability to enter new markets as the cost of production is decreased and new solution-processable electronic materials are developed. The concept of printable electronics is revolutionary: employing solution-processable materials that can be printed onto different substrates using a variety of simple deposition techniques. While materials for printable electronics can be divided into conductors, dielectrics (insulators) and semiconductors, this work focuses on two materials important for printable electronics: solution-processable polymer-based semiconductors and metal conductors. In Chapters 2 and 3, we focus on P3HT and the effect of structure modification on polymer morphology and device performance in field effect transistors. An inherent understanding of how the molecular structure is manifested in the overall material properties is therefore warranted. In Chapter 4, the application of the Grignard metathesis method to other heteroaromatic compounds will be discussed, as this method has led to the facile synthesis of all-conjugated block copolymers that have potential applicability toward light-emitting optoelectronic devices. In Chapter 5, the preparation of novel, solution-processable metal-organic complexes that can yield metallic structures with excellent conductivities is outlined. The combination of all these materials can be further developed for compatibility with flexible substrates for use in electronic devices, opening the way toward all-printable, flexible electronics. |
