Supramolecular Order of Solution-Processed Perylenediimide Thin Films: High-Performance Small-Channel n-Type Organic Transistors

N,N ′ -1 H ,1 H -perfl uorobutyl dicyanoperylenecarboxydiimide (PDIF-CN 2 ), asoluble and air stable n-type molecule, undergoes signifi cant reorganizationupon thermal annealing after solution deposition on several substrates withdifferent surface energies. Interestingly, this system exhibits an exceptionaledge-on orientation regardless of the substrate chemistry. This preferentialorientation is rationalized in terms of strong intermolecular interactionsbetween the PDIF-CN 2 molecules. The presence of a pronounced π– πstacking is confi rmed by combining near-edge X-ray absorption fi ne structurespectroscopy (NEXAFS), dynamic scanning force microscopy (SFM) and surfaceenergy measurements. The remarkable charge carrier mobility measuredin fi eld-effect transistors, using both bottom- and top-contact (bottom-gate)confi gurations, underlines the importance of strong intermolecular interactionsfor the realization of high performing devices.