Printed, cost-effective and stable poly(3-hexylthiophene) electrolyte-gated field-effect transistors

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Abstract

A large-area processable ink-jet-printed poly(3-hexylthiophene) electrolyte-gated field-effect transistor, designed for bioelectronic applications, is proven to be stable for one week of continuous operation.

Abstract

Organic bioelectronic sensors based on an electrolyte gated field-effect transistor are gaining momentum due to their extraordinary high-performance level that enables label-free selective single-molecule detection of both genomic and protein biomarkers with a millimeter-wide electrolyte-gated field-effect transistor (EGOFET) device. The organic semiconductor channel material used so far is a spin-coated regio-regular poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT). Of paramount importance is to design an EGOFET sensor that is stable and cost-effective. To address the latter feature, an ink-jet printed regio-regular P3HT film is here investigated as the channel material. Moreover, the EGOFET device structure is intended to comprise a coplanar lateral gate electrode that enables mechanical and electrical stability. Overall, the structure is compatible with large area processing so it can be fabricated at low-costs and can be operated continuously for eight days. Additionally, systematic optical and Raman characterization of the P3HT film proves that the printing process results in a film with a low energetic disorder (better π–π stacking in the crystalline regions) that likely enables stable operation. However, the higher quality crystalline regions (as compared to a spin-coated film) are dispersed in a more significant fraction of the amorphous disordered material with a larger amount of trap states. The higher crystalline order is ascribed to the higher boiling point and slower evaporation of the ortho-dichlorobenzene solvent used in the printing process. Overall, the present study provides a systematic insight into the structure–property correlations, essential to design a well-functioning and cost-effective EGOFET for high-performance electronic biosensing. It also provides one of the few investigations comparing the features characterizing a spin-coated and an ink-jet printed P3HT film.

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Iain McCulloch, Martin Heeney, Clare Bailey … (2006)

Organic semiconductors that can be fabricated by simple processing techniques and possess excellent electrical performance, are key requirements in the progress of organic electronics. Both high semiconductor charge-carrier mobility, optimized through understanding and control of the semiconductor microstructure, and stability of the semiconductor to ambient electrochemical oxidative processes are required. We report on new semiconducting liquid-crystalline thieno[3,2-b ]thiophene polymers, the enhancement in charge-carrier mobility achieved through highly organized morphology from processing in the mesophase, and the effects of exposure to both ambient and low-humidity air on the performance of transistor devices. Relatively large crystalline domain sizes on the length scale of lithographically accessible channel lengths ( approximately 200 nm) were exhibited in thin films, thus offering the potential for fabrication of single-crystal polymer transistors. Good transistor stability under static storage and operation in a low-humidity air environment was demonstrated, with charge-carrier field-effect mobilities of 0.2-0.6 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1) achieved under nitrogen.

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Electrolyte-gated transistors for organic and printed electronics.

Se Kim, Kihyon Hong, Wei Xie … (2013)

Here we summarize recent progress in the development of electrolyte-gated transistors (EGTs) for organic and printed electronics. EGTs employ a high capacitance electrolyte as the gate insulator; the high capacitance increases drive current, lowers operating voltages, and enables new transistor architectures. Although the use of electrolytes in electronics is an old concept going back to the early days of the silicon transistor, new printable, fast-response polymer electrolytes are expanding the potential applications of EGTs in flexible, printed digital circuits, rollable displays, and conformal bioelectronic sensors. This report introduces the structure and operation mechanisms of EGTs and reviews key developments in electrolyte materials for use in printed electronics. The bulk of the article is devoted to electrical characterization of EGTs and emerging applications.