Liquid electrolyte positioning along the device channel influences the operation of Organic Electro-Chemical Transistors

Pasquale D'angelo, Nicola Coppedè, Giuseppe Tarabella, Agostino Romeo, Francesco T. Gentile, Salvatore Iannotta, Enzo M. Di Fabrizio, Roberto Mosca

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Scopus citations

Abstract

In this work, we show the influence of the liquid electrolyte adsorption by porous films made of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate), PEDOT:PSS, on the operation of an Organic Electro-Chemical Transistor with an active channel based on these polymeric films. In particular, the effect of film hydration on device performance is evaluated by studying its electrical response as a function of the spatial position between the electrolyte and the channel electrodes. This is done by depositing a PEDOT:PSS film on a super-hydrophobic surface aimed at controlling the electrolyte confinement next to the electrodes. The device response shows that the confinement of ionic liquids near to the drain electrode results in a worsening of the current modulation. This result has been interpreted in the light of studies dealing with the transport of ions in semiconducting polymers, indicating that the electrolyte adsorption by the polymeric film implies the formation of liquid pathways inside its bulk. These pathways, in particular, affect the device response because they are able to assist the drift of ionic species in the electrolyte towards the drain electrode. The effect of electrolyte adsorption on the device operation is confirmed by means of moving-front measurements, and is related to the reproducibility of the device operation curves by measuring repeatedly its electrical response.
Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)3016-3023
Number of pages8
JournalOrganic Electronics
Volume15
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2014

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Materials Chemistry
  • Biomaterials
  • General Chemistry
  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  • Condensed Matter Physics

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