Pyrrole-Containing Semiconducting Materials: Synthesis and Applications in Organic Photovoltaics and Organic Field-Effect Transistors
Chandima Bulumulla, Ruwan Gunawardhana, Prabhath L. Gamage, Justin T. Miller, Ruvanthi N. Kularatne, Michael C. Biewer, Mihaela C. Stefan
Abstract
Organic semiconducting materials derived from π-electron-rich pyrroles have garnered attention in recent years for the development of organic semiconductors. Although pyrrole is the most electron-rich five-membered heteroaromatic ring, it has found few applications in organic photovoltaics and organic field-effect transistors due to synthetic challenges and instability. However, computational modeling assisted screening processes have indicated that relatively stable materials containing pyrrolic units can be synthesized without compromising their inherent electron-donating properties. In this work, we provide a complete, up-to-date review of pyrrole-containing semiconducting materials used for organic photovoltaics and organic field-effect transistors and highlight recent advances in the synthesis of these materials.