Phase Transition toward a Thermodynamically Less Stable Phase: Cross-Nucleation due to Thin Film Growth of a Benzothieno-benzothiophene Derivative.

ABSTRACT: The molecule 2-decyl-7-phenyl-[1]benzothieno[3,2-b][1]benzothiophene is an organic semiconductor, with outstanding properties in terms of molecular packing and its use in organic electronics. The asymmetric shape of the molecule causes a double layer crystal structure at room temperature. In this work we report its thin film growth by physical vapor deposition starting from the monolayer regime up to thick films. The films are studied in terms of their morphology, crystallographic properties, and thermal stability by atomic force microscopy and X-ray diffraction methods. It is found that the bulk molecular packing of the bilayer is formed at the initial thin film growth stage. After a thickness of one double layer, a transition into a new polymorph is observed which is of metastable

SUBMITTER: Hofer S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8724801 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature