C₈‐BTBT‐C₈ Thin‐Film Transistors Based on Micro‐Contact Printed PEDOT:PSS/MWCNT Electrodes

Abstract

Advances in organic materials manufacturing have enabled the creation of electronic devices using solution‐processing techniques by employing soluble materials with high conductivity grade. In this exploratory study, the use of micro‐contact for poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) polymer ink deposition as high‐quality structured electrodes for organic field‐effect transistors (OFETs) in top‐contact geometry is demonstrated. The optimized OFET's solution‐processed fabrication is a promising strategy to be realized in the simple, cost‐effective roll‐to‐roll manufacturing processes. The electrical performance of the fabricated devices is comparable to transistors with gold electrodes prepared via vacuum deposition, and even exceeding the values of the charge carriers’ mobilities and featuring lower contact resistance (Rc), due to lower charge‐carrier injection barrier for carbon‐based organic electrodes. An addition of multi‐walled carbon nanotubes to the PEDOT:PSS decreases Rc even further, changing the work function for better energy alignment with semiconductor materials.

Nanoimprint Lithography for Next-Generation Carbon Nanotube-Based Devices

“…Pre-synthesized CNTs have been patterned by several methods including inkjet printing [ 87 , 88 , 89 ], screen printing [ 90 , 91 , 92 ], gravure printing [ 93 ], and microcontact printing [ 94 , 95 , 96 ]. However, these abovementioned approaches focus on alignment of CNTs for different applications, whereas our research focuses on patterning the catalyst to understand and control the growth mechanism of CNTs.…”

“…In our case, we believe that G′ band shift indicates the strain results from mechanical stresses due to high tube length and lack of neighbors support on "empty" spaces of the pattern. Pre-synthesized CNTs have been patterned by several methods including inkjet printing [87][88][89], screen printing [90][91][92], gravure printing [93], and microcontact printing [94][95][96]. However, these abovementioned approaches focus on alignment of CNTs for different applications, whereas our research focuses on patterning the catalyst to understand and control the growth mechanism of CNTs.…”

Pressure and Temperature Dual-Parameter Sensor Based on Natural Wood for Portable Health-Monitoring Devices

“…Due to their compatibility and mechanical flexibility, organic thermoelectric materials have been widely used for fabricating flexible and bifunctional sensors . With excellent thermoelectric properties and highly tunable conductivity, poly­(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly­(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) has been regarded as one of the most promising candidates for fabricating flexible composites. − In recent years, combining organic and inorganic materials has been proven to be an effective way to further improve polymers’ conductivity and thermoelectric properties. Due to high conductivity and material compatibility, single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) show great potential as inorganic fillers.…”