Combining inkjet printing and chemical vapor deposition for fabricating low voltage, organic field-effect transistors on flexible substrates

Abstract

A highly reliable fabrication process of low voltage organic field-effect transistors on plastic substrates by means of large area techniques is here reported. The proposed approach is based on the combination of two large-area techniques, inkjet printing and chemical vapor deposition for the fabrication of a thin dielectric layer. A printing process has been employed also for the fabrication of source and drain electrodes and for the organic active layer. The thorough optimization of the fabrication process allows obtaining transistors operated at voltages below 5V. A morphological characterization is provided in order to demonstrate the effectiveness of the fabrication process and to quantify the impact of the device optimization in its final feasibility. Moreover, an analysis of a statistically relevant set of devices is reported to demonstrate the reproducibility of device performances. Bias and mechanical stress tests are provided to demonstrate the stability of the device performances during continuous polarization and for significant mechanical deformations of the substrate.