A stable solution-processed polymer semiconductor with record high-mobility for printed transistors.
Microelectronic circuits/arrays produced via high-speed printing instead of traditional photolithographic processes offer an appealing approach to creating the long-sought after, low-cost, large-area flexible electronics. Foremost among critical enablers to propel this paradigm shift in manufacturing is a stable, solution-processable, high-performance semiconductor for printing functionally capable thin-film transistors - fundamental building blocks of microelectronics. We report herein the processing and optimisation of solution-processable polymer semiconductors for thin-film transistors, demonstrating very high field-effect mobility, high on/off ratio, and excellent shelf-life and operating stabilities under ambient conditions. Exceptionally high-gain inverters and functional ring oscillator devices on flexible substrates have been demonstrated. This optimised polymer semiconductor represents a significant progress in semiconductor development, dispelling prevalent skepticism surrounding practical usability of organic semiconductors for high-performance microelectronic devices, opening up application opportunities hitherto functionally or economically inaccessible with silicon technologies, and providing an excellent structural framework for fundamental studies of charge transport in organic systems.
Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore.
Jun
J
Li
Yan
Y
Zhao
Huei Shuan
HS
Tan
Yunlong
Y
Guo
Chong-An
CA
Di
Gui
G
Yu
Yunqi
Y
Liu
Ming
M
Lin
Suo Hon
SH
Lim
Yuhua
Y
Zhou
Haibin
H
Su
Beng S
BS
Ong
D004581:Electronics / Q000379:methods*; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D012666:Semiconductors / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012825:Silicon / Q000737:chemistry; D012996:Solutions / Q000737:chemistry; D014173:Transistors, Electronic
D011108:Polymers; D012996:Solutions; D012825:Silicon