Abstract
Printing fully solution-processed organic electronic devices may potentially revolutionize production of flexible electronics for various applications. However, difficulties in forming thin, flat, uniform films through printing techniques have been responsible for poor device performance and low yields. Here, we report on fully solution-processed organic thin-film transistor (TFT) arrays with greatly improved performance and yields, achieved by layering solution-processable materials such as silver nanoparticle inks, organic semiconductors, and insulating polymers on thin plastic films. A treatment layer improves carrier injection between the source/drain electrodes and the semiconducting layer and dramatically reduces contact resistance. Furthermore, an organic semiconductor with large-crystal grains results in TFT devices with shorter channel lengths and higher field-effect mobilities. We obtained mobilities of over 1.2 cm2 V−1 s−1 in TFT devices with channel lengths shorter than 20 μm. By combining these fabrication techniques, we built highly uniform organic TFT arrays with average mobility levels as high as 0.80 cm2 V−1 s−1 and ideal threshold voltages of 0 V. These results represent major progress in the fabrication of fully solution-processed organic TFT device arrays.
Highlights
Printing fully solution-processed organic electronic devices may potentially revolutionize production of flexible electronics for various applications
The analysis revealed a normal distribution in electrical performance, and this information can be used to simplify the circuit design for fully solution-processed organic electronics
Solution-processed organic thin-film transistor (TFT) devices were fabricated in a 10 3 10 array on 125-mm-thick polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) films with a maximum process temperature of 150uC
Summary
Printing fully solution-processed organic electronic devices may potentially revolutionize production of flexible electronics for various applications. When printed ink dries on the surface of a substrate, the solute is transported from the center to the edge, and the resulting solute film forms a non-uniform ring-like profile, a phenomenon known as the ‘‘coffee ring effect29’’ This effect makes it difficult for fully solution-processed organic electronic devices to be fabricated with high yields or operate at low voltages and with small variations in electrical performance. Printed layers for use in electronic devices have typically possessed deficiencies, such as low conductivities[30], work functions that deviate from their bulk values[31,32], and rough or porous surfaces[33] These problems point to a need for comprehensive studies to be done before fully solution-processed organic electronic devices can be commercialized. The analysis revealed a normal distribution in electrical performance, and this information can be used to simplify the circuit design for fully solution-processed organic electronics
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