title: Programmable and coherent crystallization of semiconductors.
abstract: The functional properties and technological utility of polycrystalline materials are largely determined by the structure, geometry, and spatial distribution of their multitude of crystals. However, crystallization is seeded through stochastic and incoherent nucleation events, limiting the ability to control or pattern the microstructure, texture, and functional properties of polycrystalline materials. We present a universal approach that can program the microstructure of materials through the coherent seeding of otherwise stochastic homogeneous nucleation events. The method relies on creating topographic variations to seed nucleation and growth at designated locations while delaying nucleation elsewhere. Each seed can thus produce a coherent growth front of crystallization with a geometry designated by the shape and arrangement of seeds. Periodic and aperiodic crystalline arrays of functional materials, such as semiconductors, can thus be created on demand and with unprecedented sophistication and ease by patterning the location and shape of the seeds. This approach is used to demonstrate printed arrays of organic thin-film transistors with remarkable performance and reproducibility owing to their demonstrated spatial control over the microstructure of organic and inorganic polycrystalline semiconductors.
authors.affiliation: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), KAUST Solar Center (KSC), and Physical Sciences and Engineering Division, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Liyang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), KAUST Solar Center (KSC), and Physical Sciences and Engineering Division, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Muhammad R
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-0449-1559
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Niazi
authors.affiliation: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), KAUST Solar Center (KSC), and Physical Sciences and Engineering Division, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Guy O
authors.initials: GO
authors.lastname: Ngongang Ndjawa
authors.affiliation: Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA.
authors.forename: Ruipeng
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), KAUST Solar Center (KSC), and Physical Sciences and Engineering Division, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Ahmad R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Kirmani
authors.affiliation: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), KAUST Solar Center (KSC), and Physical Sciences and Engineering Division, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Rahim
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-6029-3760
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Munir
authors.affiliation: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), KAUST Solar Center (KSC), and Physical Sciences and Engineering Division, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Ahmed H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Balawi
authors.affiliation: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), KAUST Solar Center (KSC), and Physical Sciences and Engineering Division, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Frédéric
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Laquai
authors.affiliation: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), KAUST Solar Center (KSC), and Physical Sciences and Engineering Division, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Aram
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Amassian
keywords: Organic Electronics; amorphous thin films; classical nucleation theory; crystallization; homogeneous nucleation; nucleation and growth; organic thin film transistors; patterning; polycrystalline thin films; small-molecule organic semiconductors