The use of siloxanes, silsesquioxanes, and silicones in organic semiconducting materials

Optimization of the physical and electronic properties of organic semiconductors is a key step in improving the performance of organic light emitting diodes, organic photovoltaics, organic field effect transistors, and other electronic devices. Separate tuning of the physical and electronic properties of these organic semiconductors can be achieved by the hybridization of organo-silicon structures (silicones, siloxanes, silsesquioxanes) with organic semiconductors. Common chemical means to achieve this hybridization are summarized while a large range of literature examples are covered to demonstrate the range and flexibility of this synthetic strategy.