Abstract
Bioelectronics focuses on the establishment of the connection between the ion-driven biosystems and readable electronic signals. Organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) offer a viable solution for this task. Organic mixed ionic/electronic conductors (OMIECs) rest at the heart of OECTs. The balance between the ionic and electronic conductivities of OMIECs is closely connected to the OECT device performance. While modification of the OMIECs’ electronic properties is largely related to the development of conjugated scaffolds, properties such as ion permeability, solubility, flexibility, morphology, and sensitivity can be altered by side chain moieties. In this review, we uncover the influence of side chain molecular design on the properties and performance of OECTs. We summarise current understanding of OECT performance and focus specifically on the knowledge of ionic–electronic coupling, shedding light on the significance of side chain development of OMIECs. We show how the versatile synthetic toolbox of side chains can be successfully employed to tune OECT parameters via controlling the material properties. As the field continues to mature, more detailed investigations into the crucial role side chain engineering plays on the resultant OMIEC properties will allow for side chain alternatives to be developed and will ultimately lead to further enhancements within the field of OECT channel materials.
Highlights
It is difficult to imagine any underlying physiological process in living organisms without considering the role of ions
We have summarised the current understanding of the Organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) operational mechanisms and the knowledge of ionic–electronic coupling, which sheds light on the significance of side chain engineering in the active channel layer material
From the evolving understanding of what determines OECT channel material performance and how side chains influence these metrics, we summarise the findings in the following way: firstly, the hydrophilicity is the most important intrinsic factor that determines the ability of ion uptake, especially in the application of bioelectronics whereby an aqueous environment and ion exchange are essential
Summary
It is difficult to imagine any underlying physiological process in living organisms without considering the role of ions. To establish the origin of a complex biological condition or treat a disease, a responsive system capable of interacting with biological substrates and translating their characteristics into distinguishable electronic signals is necessary.[14] Establishing the link between these biosystems and readable electronic output is a major focus of bioelectronics Creating this connection is associated with a handful of difficulties, related to the fundamental differences in the operational modes and material features of human-made and nature-created structures.[15] For instance, while biosystems tend to use ionic and molecular forms for information transfer, electrons and holes serve that role in artificial electronic systems. Iain McCulloch, completing his PhD in 2020, developing OMIEC materials for bioelectronic applications He followed the McCulloch group to the University of Oxford, where he was a postdoctoral research associate, focusing on the development of electron. Organic electrochemical transistors: fundamental concepts, bioelectronic applications and side chain engineering
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