A high-conductivity n-type polymeric ink for printed electronics

Chiara Musumeci,Xianjie Liu,Deyu Tu,Han-Yan Wu,Simone Fabiano,Mats Fahlman,Magnus Berggren,Ziang Wu,Matteo Massetti,Hengda Sun,Weimin M. Chen,Yuttapoom Puttisong,Kai Xu,Han Young Woo,Nagesh B. Kolhe,Tero-Petri Ruoko,Marc-Antoine Stoeckel,Chi-Yuan Yang,Samson A. Jenekhe

doi:10.1038/s41467-021-22528-y

Abstract

Conducting polymers, such as the p-doped poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS), have enabled the development of an array of opto- and bio-electronics devices. However, to make these technologies truly pervasive, stable and easily processable, n-doped conducting polymers are also needed. Despite major efforts, no n-type equivalents to the benchmark PEDOT:PSS exist to date. Here, we report on the development of poly(benzimidazobenzophenanthroline):poly(ethyleneimine) (BBL:PEI) as an ethanol-based n-type conductive ink. BBL:PEI thin films yield an n-type electrical conductivity reaching 8 S cm−1, along with excellent thermal, ambient, and solvent stability. This printable n-type mixed ion-electron conductor has several technological implications for realizing high-performance organic electronic devices, as demonstrated for organic thermoelectric generators with record high power output and n-type organic electrochemical transistors with a unique depletion mode of operation. BBL:PEI inks hold promise for the development of next-generation bioelectronics and wearable devices, in particular targeting novel functionality, efficiency, and power performance.

Highlights

Conducting polymers, such as the p-doped poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS), have enabled the development of an array of opto- and bioelectronics devices
Several n-type conducting polymers can be doped to high conductivity (>10 S cm−1) after deposition, their applicability is severely restricted by the use of harmful halogenated solvents, lack of thermal, ambient, and solvent stability, as well as reliable solution processability, which often result in poor device performance
The resulting ethanol-based ink is composed of BBL:PEI nanoparticles with a size of 30–100 nm, depending on the PEI content (Supplementary Fig. 1)

Summary

Introduction

Conducting polymers, such as the p-doped poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS), have enabled the development of an array of opto- and bioelectronics devices. BBL:PEI thin films yield an n-type electrical conductivity reaching 8 S cm−1, along with excellent thermal, ambient, and solvent stability This printable n-type mixed ion-electron conductor has several technological implications for realizing highperformance organic electronic devices, as demonstrated for organic thermoelectric generators with record high power output and n-type organic electrochemical transistors with a unique depletion mode of operation. With >100 tons produced every year, PEDOT:PSS is the most successful hole-transporting (p-type) conducting polymer This mixed ion-electron conductor owes its success to a high electrical conductivity, spanning over several orders of magnitude and reaching values >1000 S cm−1, an excellent ambient stability, and commercial availability as aqueous dispersions for processing via traditional coating and printing techniques[6].

Methods

Results

Conclusion