Charge Transport in Reactive Mesogens and Liquid Crystal Polymer Networks

Abstract

AbstractUnderstanding the mechanisms of charge transport in organic semiconductor electronic devices is paramount to optimising performance. This chapter aims to provide an insight into methods of measuring and analysing charge transport with specific focus on cross-linkable systems, i.e., reactive mesogens (RMs) and liquid crystalline (LC) polymer networks. When cross-linked in a mesophase, RMs form solid layers which preserve the mesophase charge transport properties over extended temperature ranges. In contrast, liquid crystalline polymer networks form solid layers but continue to undergo thermotropic transitions as in the original system and carrier mobilities can be enhanced compared to the liquid crystal. Here we examine how the versatility of these compounds brings about such complex behaviour. We see that chemical factors such as reactive end groups and method of cross-linking affect the hole and electron transport characteristics separately and that physical changes in morphology and phase also significantly change the charge transport properties.KeywordsLiquid CrystalCharge TransportField Effect TransistorHole MobilityNematic PhaseThese keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.