A joint research team from the Institute for Molecular Science (IMS) in Japan and Kyoto University recently published innovative results in Chemical Communications, successfully developing an organic semiconductor material with a three-dimensional twisted structure. This breakthrough study opens new pathways for the development of next-generation flexible electronic devices.

The research was led by Associate Professor Yasushi Segawa, with team members including Mai Nagase, Rui Yoshida, and other researchers. The team innovatively used a methyl modification strategy to transform planar molecules containing multiple thiophene units into stable three-dimensional twisted conformations. "The molecular structure we designed breaks the planar limitations of traditional organic semiconductors," explained Segawa. X-ray crystallography analysis confirmed that this twisted molecule forms a unique three-dimensional stacking pattern in the solid state.

Experimental data shows that when used as an organic field-effect transistor, the material achieves a hole mobility of 1.85×10^-4cm² V^-1 s^-1, demonstrating good semiconductor properties. Theoretical calculations further reveal that this three-dimensional structure allows for efficient charge transport in multiple directions. Associate Professor Takashi Hirose from Kyoto University pointed out: "This design strategy effectively addresses the long-standing challenge of molecular orientation control in organic electronic devices."

The study breaks through the limitations of traditional organic semiconductors that rely on planar molecules, providing new ideas for developing more efficient and stable flexible electronic devices. The research team plans to further optimize the molecular structure and explore more organic semiconductor materials with three-dimensional characteristics.