Glossary: Pentacene

The archetypal organic oligomer used as the semiconductor in thin film field effect transistors. Can be vapour deposited or in potentially an ink via precursor. Needs vacuum processes because it is insoluble but gives higher charge carrier mobility than the soluble organic semiconductors that can be printed. This means that the transistors can work at higher frequency and be used in more applications technically, though cost is a challenge. Recently, there has been progress towards making pentacene directly printable.

 

See the IDTechEx report Introduction to Printed Electronics