Synthesis of n-type [60]Fullerene Derivatives with Sterically Bulky tert-Butyl Groups for Vacuum Deposition Processes

[60]Fullerene derivatives with high thermal stability can be used for vacuum deposition under heating to fabricate thin films for organic electronic devices. Here, we investigated the thermal stability of [60]fullerene derivatives with various bulky substituents for thermal evaporation under vacuum by means of thermogravimetric analysis under reduced and normal pressure. We found sterically bulky groups such as tert-butyl groups of [60]fullerene derivatives lowered the vacuum deposition temperature. Also, we performed isothermal thermogravimetric analysis to examine the long-term thermal stability of the designed compounds under heating conditions. Furthermore, we investigated the UV-Vis absorption patterns of the deposited films. Absorption in the blue wavelength range, which was attributed to intermolecular HOMO-LUMO transitions among the molecular orbitals of adjacent [60]fullerenes, was dramatically modified. These results were associated with the prevention of aggregation among neighboring [60]fullerene by the sterically bulky groups. This concept could contribute to expanding the use of evaporable [60]fullerene derivatives in organic thin-film electronics research fields.

Automated summary

In this study, we investigated the thermal stability and UV-Vis absorption patterns of [60]fullerene derivatives with different substituents. The introduction of sterically bulky groups lowered the vacuum deposition temperature and prevented aggregation among neighboring [60]fullerenes. This concept could contribute to expanding the use of evaporable [60]fullerene derivatives in organic thin-film electronics research fields.