The origin and development of (plastic) organic electronics

The story of conducting polymers for plastic electronics

“…That is the case of organic solar cells (OPV) where the two materials types (donor and acceptor) are required to efficiently separate the photo-induced bound charge carriers 27 (the exciton) and then to transport the resulting free carriers (electrons and holes) to the electrodes. 22,23,28 Concerning organic devices, we emphasize that OLEDs were the first ones to reach a high maturity level. However, for a long period of time, the threshold voltage above which electroluminescence could be observed was found to be too large for their practical use (an historic example is that of anthracene which required, because of the thickness of the crystals used, an application of around 100 V to operate 10 ).…”

“…Furthermore, the discovery of fullerenes (a π‐ conjugated system based on carbon atoms), that can act as efficient electron acceptors, opens new ways for the realization of solid state devices where both n and p states are frequently required (see p 118 of reference . That is the case of organic solar cells (OPV) where the two materials types (donor and acceptor) are required to efficiently separate the photo‐induced bound charge carriers (the exciton) and then to transport the resulting free carriers (electrons and holes) to the electrodes …”

“…For its part, the birth of the organic transistor is woollier . For G. Horowitz the first devices showing (very weak) field effect were reported for organics in 1970.…”

Photoconductivity and photovoltaic properties of polyaniline immobilized onto metallurgical porous silicon powder

“…In recent years, the low cost, availability in bulk and ease of processing of flexible thin films has advanced molecular and macromolecular π‐conjugated organic compounds as a prime choice for PV applications in dye‐sensitized (Grätzel) and solid state solar cells . However, π‐conjugated organic materials are recognized to have two main drawbacks, namely a low power conversion efficiency of less than 5% due to rapid exciton decay and photo‐bleaching of the photoactive components that limits their lifetime .…”

Polymer International in the year 2012

“…PI published an really interesting collection of papers in March that focussed on organic electronics . It consisted of four review papers and was guest edited by Professor Andre Moliton and Dr Roger Hiorns.…”