Harnessing supramolecular interactions in organic solid-state devices: Current status and future potential

The performance attained by electronic devices incorporating more than a single molecule is in part limited by weak electronic coupling between molecules. By implementing designed supramolecular interactions, chemists have begun taking control of the nanoscale ordering of the active layer in an effort to move beyond the trial and error tuning of the device morphology. This review describes current progress in solid-state devices in which the molecular components possess designed supramolecular interactions – as opposed to non-specific cohesive forces – used to instill or modify functionality. Supramolecular organic devices for applications in solar energy conversion, light-emitting diodes, field-effect transistors, storage and logic functions are covered.