GIDVis is a software package based on MATLAB specialized for, but not limited to, the visualization and analysis of grazing-incidence thin-film X-ray diffraction data obtained during sample rotation around the surface normal. GIDVis allows the user to perform detector calibration, data stitching, intensity corrections, standard data evaluation (e.g. cuts and integrations along specific reciprocal-space directions), crystal phase analysis etc. To take full advantage of the measured data in the case of sample rotation, pole figures can easily be calculated from the experimental data for any value of the scattering angle covered. As an example, GIDVis is applied to phase analysis and the evaluation of the epitaxial alignment of pentacenequinone crystallites on a single-crystalline Au(111) surface.

A detailed structural study of the bulk and thin film phases observed for two potential high performance organic semi conductors has been carried out. The molecules are based on [1]benzothieno[3,2 b]benzothiophene (BTBT) as conjugated core and octyl side groups, which are anchored either symmetrically at both sides of the BTBT core (C 8 −BTBT−C 8 ) or nonsymmetrically at one side only (C 8 −BTBT). Thin films of different thickness (8−85 nm) have been prepared by spin coating for both systems and analyzed by combining specular and grazing incidence X ray diffraction. In the case of C 8 −BTBT−C 8 , the known crystal structure obtained from single crystal investigations is observed within all thin films, down to a film thickness of 9 nm. In the case of C 8 −BTBT, the crystal structure of the bulk phase has been determined from X ray powder diffraction data with a consistent matching of experimental and calculated X ray diffraction patterns (Rwp = 5.8%). The packing arrangement of C 8 −BTBT is similar to that of C 8 −BTBT−C 8 , that is, consisting of a lamellar structure with molecules arranged in a "herringbone" fashion, yet with lamellae composed of two head to head (or tail to tail as the structure is periodic) superimposed molecules instead of only one molecule for C 8 −BTBT−C 8 . As for C 8 −BTBT−C 8 ,we demonstrate that the same phase is observed in bulk and thin films for C 8 −BTBT whatever the film thickness investigated.

The order in molecular monolayers is a crucial aspect for their technological application. However, the preparation of defined monolayers by spin-coating is a challenge, since the involved processes are far from thermodynamic equilibrium. In the work reported herein, the dynamic formation of dioctyl-benzothienobenzothiophene monolayers is explored as a function of temperature by using X-ray scattering techniques and atomic force microscopy. Starting with a disordered monolayer after the spin-coating process, post-deposition self-reassembly at room temperature transforms the initially amorphous layer into a well-ordered bilayer structure with a molecular herringbone packing, whereas at elevated temperature the formation of crystalline islands occurs. At the temperature of the liquid-crystalline crystal-smectic transition, rewetting of the surface follows resulting in a complete homogeneous monolayer. By subsequent controlled cooling to room temperature, cooling-rate-dependent kinetics is observed; at rapid cooling, a stable monolayer is preserved at room temperature, whereas slow cooling causes bilayer structures. Increasing the understanding and control of monolayer formation is of high relevance for achieving ordered functional monolayers with defined two-dimensional packing, for future applications in the field of organic electronics.

Film forming properties of semiconducting organic molecules comprising alkyl-chains combined with an aromatic unit have a decisive impact on possible applications in organic electronics. In particular, knowledge on the film formation process in terms of wetting or dewetting, and the precise control of these processes, is of high importance. In the present work, the subtle effect of temperature on the morphology and structure of dioctyl[1]benzothieno[3,2-b][1]benzothiophene (C8-BTBT) films deposited on silica surfaces by spin coating is investigated in situ via X-ray diffraction techniques and atomic force microscopy. Depending on temperature, bulk C8-BTBT exhibits a crystalline, a smectic A and an isotropic phase. Heating of thin C8-BTBT layers at temperatures below the smectic phase transition temperature leads to a strong dewetting of the films. Upon approaching the smectic phase transition, the molecules start to rewet the surface in the form of discrete monolayers with a defined number of monolayers being present at a given temperature. The wetting process and layer formation is well defined and thermally stable at a given temperature. On cooling the reverse effect is observed and dewetting occurs. This demonstrates the full reversibility of the film formation behavior and reveals that the layering process is defined by an equilibrium thermodynamic state, rather than by kinetic effects.

Polymorphs of organic semiconductors are of great interest as they shed light to structure-property relationships. The full X-ray thin film structure analysis of two polymorphs (B, G) of an important n-type semiconducting dicyanodistyrylbenzene based small molecule (CN-TFPA) is reported. Drastically different structures of the monotropic phases are revealed, that is an uncommon 2D crossed π-stacked arrangement for the B-phase versus a 1D slipped π-stack for G. Both phases exhibit a layered structure in the (100) plane with high structural integrity, driven by the hydrophobic contacts of the terminal CF 3 groups; as (100) coincides with the film surface, this allows for exfoliation by scotch tape. An in-depth time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) based quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) study reveals all subsequent significantly differing optical and electronic responses which result from the different arrangements: the B film shows little excitonic interaction with strong blue fluorescence, amplified spontaneous emission (ASE), and good 2D n-type transport. The G film forms H-aggregates with strong green fluorescence, no ASE, and 1D n-type charge transport. The established structure-property relationships are seen as a crucial step for computer-aided device analysis. Luminescent PolymorphsThe ORCID identification number(s) for the author(s) of this article can be found under https://doi.