Integrated System Built for Small-Molecule Semiconductors via High-Throughput Approaches

High-throughput synthesis of solution-processable structurally
variable small-molecule semiconductors is both an opportunity and
a challenge. A large number of diverse molecules provide a possibility
for quick material discovery and machine learning based on experimental
data. However, the diversity of the molecular structure leads to the
complexity of molecular properties, such as solubility, polarity,
and crystallinity, which poses great challenges to solution processing
and purification. Here, we first report an integrated system for the
high-throughput synthesis, purification, and characterization of molecules
with a large variety. Based on the principle “Like dissolves
like,” we combine theoretical calculations and a robotic platform
to accelerate the purification of those molecules. With this platform,
a material library containing 125 molecules and their optical-electronic
properties was built within a timeframe of weeks. More importantly,
the high repeatability of recrystallization we design is a reliable
approach to further upgrading and industrial production.