A stable solution-processed polymer semiconductor with record high-mobility for printed transistors

Abstract

Microelectronic circuits/arrays produced via high-speed printing instead of traditional photolithographic processes offer an appealing approach to creating the long-sought after, low-cost, large-area flexible electronics. Foremost among critical enablers to propel this paradigm shift in manufacturing is a stable, solution-processable, high-performance semiconductor for printing functionally capable thin-film transistors — fundamental building blocks of microelectronics. We report herein the processing and optimisation of solution-processable polymer semiconductors for thin-film transistors, demonstrating very high field-effect mobility, high on/off ratio, and excellent shelf-life and operating stabilities under ambient conditions. Exceptionally high-gain inverters and functional ring oscillator devices on flexible substrates have been demonstrated. This optimised polymer semiconductor represents a significant progress in semiconductor development, dispelling prevalent skepticism surrounding practical usability of organic semiconductors for high-performance microelectronic devices, opening up application opportunities hitherto functionally or economically inaccessible with silicon technologies, and providing an excellent structural framework for fundamental studies of charge transport in organic systems.

Narrowband light detection via internal quantum efficiency manipulation of organic photodiodes

“…2, which compares the charge generation distribution profiles in 700-and 2,000-nm thick PCDTBT:PC70BM junctions. mobility polymer for field effect transistors 46 . The PCDTBT: PC70BM heterojunction has an absorption onset at B650 nm and DPP-DTT is a narrow optical-gap polymer with an absorption edge at B950 nm (Fig.…”

“…However, because the charge carrier mobility of DPP-DTT is at least 3 orders of magnitude larger than PCDTBT 41,46 , one would expect an LDR and À 3 dB frequency response at least as good as the PCDTBT:PC70BM devices. Finally, and as indicated above, the peak EQE and hence the chosen spectral range of the CCN OPDs depends on the bulk heterojunction thickness.…”

Conjugated D–A terpolymers for organic field-effect transistors and solar cells

“…For instance, Liu and co-workers designed and synthesized conjugated DPP-based polymer (DPPTTT) with thienothiophene (TT) as the electron-donating moieties, and OFETs with this polymer displayed high hole mobilities up to 10.5 cm 2 V − 1 s − 1 . 28 We recently reported the remarkable enhancement of hole mobility for conjugated DPPTTT upon incorporation of small amounts of tetramethylammonium in the thin film. 18 A series of DPP-containing terpolymers with two different electron donors have been reported recently.…”

“…18,[27][28][29] These conjugated D-A polymers have led to a number of p-type and ambipolar semiconducting properties with high charge carrier mobilities. For instance, Liu and co-workers designed and synthesized conjugated DPP-based polymer (DPPTTT) with thienothiophene (TT) as the electron-donating moieties, and OFETs with this polymer displayed high hole mobilities up to 10.5 cm 2 V − 1 s − 1 .…”

“…For instance, Liu and co-workers designed and synthesized conjugated DPP-based polymer (DPPTTT) with thienothiophene (TT) as the electron-donating moieties, and OFETs with this polymer displayed high hole mobilities up to 10.5 cm 2 V − 1 s − 1 . 28 We recently reported the remarkable …”