1. |
- Holzer, Isabelle, et al.
(author)
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Side chain engineering in indacenodithiophene-co-benzothiadiazole and its impact on mixed ionic-electronic transport properties
- 2024
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In: Journal of Materials Chemistry C. - : ROYAL SOC CHEMISTRY. - 2050-7526 .- 2050-7534.
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Organic semiconductors are increasingly being decorated with hydrophilic solubilising chains to create materials that can function as mixed ionic-electronic conductors, which are promising candidates for interfacing biological systems with organic electronics. While numerous organic semiconductors, including p- and n-type materials, small molecules and polymers, have been successfully tailored to encompass mixed conduction properties, common to all these systems is that they have been semicrystalline materials. Here, we explore how side chain engineering in the nano-crystalline indacenodithiophene-co-benzothiadiazole (IDTBT) polymer can be used to instil ionic transport properties and how this in turn influences the electronic transport properties. This allows us to ultimately assess the mixed ionic-electronic transport properties of these new IDTBT polymers using the organic electrochemical transistor as the testing platform. Using a complementary experimental and computational approach, we find that polar IDTBT derivatives can be infiltrated by water and solvated ions, they can be electrochemically doped efficiently in aqueous electrolyte with fast doping kinetics, and upon aqueous swelling there is no deterioration of the close interchain contacts that are vital for efficient charge transport in the IDTBT system. Despite these promising attributes, mixed ionic-electronic charge transport properties are surprisingly poor in all the polar IDTBT derivatives. Albeit a "negative" result, this finding clearly contradicts established side chain engineering rules for mixed ionic-electronic conductors, which motivated our continued investigation of this system. We eventually find this anomalous behaviour to be caused by increasing energetic disorder in the polymers with increasing polar side chain content. We have investigated computationally how the polar side chain motifs contribute to this detrimental energetic inhomogeneity and ultimately use the learnings to propose new molecular design criteria for side chains that can facilitate ion transport without impeding electronic transport.
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2. |
- Jin, Wenlong, et al.
(author)
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Photocatalytic doping of organic semiconductors
- 2024
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In: Nature. - : NATURE PORTFOLIO. - 0028-0836 .- 1476-4687.
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Chemical doping is an important approach to manipulating charge-carrier concentration and transport in organic semiconductors (OSCs) 1-3 and ultimately enhances device performance 4-7 . However, conventional doping strategies often rely on the use of highly reactive (strong) dopants 8-10 , which are consumed during the doping process. Achieving efficient doping with weak and/or widely accessible dopants under mild conditions remains a considerable challenge. Here, we report a previously undescribed concept for the photocatalytic doping of OSCs that uses air as a weak oxidant (p-dopant) and operates at room temperature. This is a general approach that can be applied to various OSCs and photocatalysts, yielding electrical conductivities that exceed 3,000 S cm-1. We also demonstrate the successful photocatalytic reduction (n-doping) and simultaneous p-doping and n-doping of OSCs in which the organic salt used to maintain charge neutrality is the only chemical consumed. Our photocatalytic doping method offers great potential for advancing OSC doping and developing next-generation organic electronic devices. A previously undescribed photocatalytic approach enables the effective p-type and n-type doping of organic semiconductors at room temperature using only widely available weak dopants such as oxygen and triethylamine.
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3. |
- Wu, Hanyan, et al.
(author)
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Influence of Molecular Weight on the Organic Electrochemical Transistor Performance of Ladder-Type Conjugated Polymers
- 2022
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In: Advanced Materials. - : Wiley-V C H Verlag GMBH. - 0935-9648 .- 1521-4095. ; 34:4
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) hold promise for developing a variety of high-performance (bio-)electronic devices/circuits. While OECTs based on p-type semiconductors have achieved tremendous progress in recent years, n-type OECTs still suffer from low performance, hampering the development of power-efficient electronics. Here, it is demonstrated that fine-tuning the molecular weight of the rigid, ladder-type n-type polymer poly(benzimidazobenzophenanthroline) (BBL) by only one order of magnitude (from 4.9 to 51 kDa) enables the development of n-type OECTs with record-high geometry-normalized transconductance (g(m,norm) approximate to 11 S cm(-1)) and electron mobility x volumetric capacitance (mu C* approximate to 26 F cm(-1) V-1 s(-1)), fast temporal response (0.38 ms), and low threshold voltage (0.15 V). This enhancement in OECT performance is ascribed to a more efficient intermolecular charge transport in high-molecular-weight BBL than in the low-molecular-weight counterpart. OECT-based complementary inverters are also demonstrated with record-high voltage gains of up to 100 V V-1 and ultralow power consumption down to 0.32 nW, depending on the supply voltage. These devices are among the best sub-1 V complementary inverters reported to date. These findings demonstrate the importance of molecular weight in optimizing the OECT performance of rigid organic mixed ionic-electronic conductors and open for a new generation of power-efficient organic (bio-)electronic devices.
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4. |
- Wu, Hanyan, et al.
(author)
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Stable organic electrochemical neurons based on p-type and n-type ladder polymers
- 2023
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In: Materials Horizons. - : ROYAL SOC CHEMISTRY. - 2051-6347 .- 2051-6355. ; :10, s. 4213-4223
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) are a rapidly advancing technology that plays a crucial role in the development of next-generation bioelectronic devices. Recent advances in p-type/n-type organic mixed ionic-electronic conductors (OMIECs) have enabled power-efficient complementary OECT technologies for various applications, such as chemical/biological sensing, large-scale logic gates, and neuromorphic computing. However, ensuring long-term operational stability remains a significant challenge that hinders their widespread adoption. While p-type OMIECs are generally more stable than n-type OMIECs, they still face limitations, especially during prolonged operations. Here, we demonstrate that simple methylation of the pyrrole-benzothiazine-based (PBBT) ladder polymer backbone results in stable and high-performance p-type OECTs. The methylated PBBT (PBBT-Me) exhibits a 25-fold increase in OECT mobility and an impressive 36-fold increase in & mu;C* (mobility x volumetric capacitance) compared to the non-methylated PBBT-H polymer. Combining the newly developed PBBT-Me with the ladder n-type poly(benzimidazobenzophenanthroline) (BBL), we developed complementary inverters with a record-high DC gain of 194 V V-1 and excellent stability. These state-of-the-art complementary inverters were used to demonstrate leaky integrate-and-fire type organic electrochemical neurons (LIF-OECNs) capable of biologically relevant firing frequencies of about 2 Hz and of operating continuously for up to 6.5 h. This achievement represents a significant improvement over previous results and holds great potential for developing stable bioelectronic circuits capable of in-sensor computing.
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5. |
- Yang, Chiyuan, et al.
(author)
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A high-conductivity n-type polymeric ink for printed electronics
- 2021
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In: Nature Communications. - : Nature Research. - 2041-1723. ; 12:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Conducting polymers, such as the p-doped poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS), have enabled the development of an array of opto- and bio-electronics devices. However, to make these technologies truly pervasive, stable and easily processable, n-doped conducting polymers are also needed. Despite major efforts, no n-type equivalents to the benchmark PEDOT:PSS exist to date. Here, we report on the development of poly(benzimidazobenzophenanthroline):poly(ethyleneimine) (BBL:PEI) as an ethanol-based n-type conductive ink. BBL:PEI thin films yield an n-type electrical conductivity reaching 8Scm(-1), along with excellent thermal, ambient, and solvent stability. This printable n-type mixed ion-electron conductor has several technological implications for realizing high-performance organic electronic devices, as demonstrated for organic thermoelectric generators with record high power output and n-type organic electrochemical transistors with a unique depletion mode of operation. BBL:PEI inks hold promise for the development of next-generation bioelectronics and wearable devices, in particular targeting novel functionality, efficiency, and power performance. The development of n-type conductive polymer inks is critical for the development of next-generation opto-electronic devices that rely on efficient hole and electron transport. Here, the authors report an alcohol-based, high performance and stable n-type conductive ink for printed electronics.
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6. |
- Yang, Chi Yuan, et al.
(author)
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Low-Power/High-Gain Flexible Complementary Circuits Based on Printed Organic Electrochemical Transistors
- 2022
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In: Advanced Electronic Materials. - : Wiley. - 2199-160X .- 2199-160X. ; 8:3
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The ability to accurately extract low-amplitude voltage signals is crucial in several fields, ranging from single-use diagnostics and medical technology to robotics and the Internet of Things (IoT). The organic electrochemical transistor (OECT), which features large transconductance values at low operating voltages, is ideal for monitoring small signals. Here, low-power and high-gain flexible circuits based on printed complementary OECTs are reported. This work leverages the low threshold voltage of both p-type and n-type enhancement-mode OECTs to develop complementary voltage amplifiers that can sense voltages as low as 100 µV, with gains of 30.4 dB and at a power consumption of 0.1–2.7 µW (single-stage amplifier). At the optimal operating conditions, the voltage gain normalized to power consumption reaches 169 dB µW−1, which is >50 times larger than state-of-the-art OECT-based amplifiers. In a monolithically integrated two-stage configuration, these complementary voltage amplifiers reach voltage gains of 193 V/V, which are among the highest for emerging complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor-like technologies operating at supply voltages below 1 V. These flexible complementary circuits based on printed OECTs define a new power-efficient platform for sensing and amplifying low-amplitude voltage signals in several emerging beyond-silicon applications.
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7. |
- Chen, Yongzhen, et al.
(author)
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In Situ Spectroscopic and Electrical Investigations of Ladder-type Conjugated Polymers Doped with Alkali Metals
- 2022
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In: Macromolecules. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 0024-9297 .- 1520-5835. ; 55:16, s. 7294-7302
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Ladder-type conjugated polymers exhibit a remarkable performance in (opto)electronic devices. Their double-stranded planar structure promotes an extended pi-conjugation compared to inter-ring-twisted analogues, providing an excellent basis for exploring the effects of charge localization on polaron formation. Here, we investigated alkali-metal n -doping of the ladder-type conjugated polymer (polybenzimidazobenzophe-nanthroline) (BBL) through detailed in situ spectroscopic and electrical characterizations. Photoelectron spectroscopy and ultraviolet-visible-near-infrared (UV-vis-NIR) spectroscopy indicate polaron formation upon potassium (K) doping, which agrees well with theoretical predictions. The semiladder BBB displays a similar evolution in the valence band with the appearance of two new features below the Fermi level upon K-doping. Compared to BBL, distinct differences appear in the UV-vis-NIR spectra due to more localized polaronic states in BBB. The high conductivity (2 S cm(-1)) and low activation energy (44 meV) measured for K-doped BBL suggest disorder-free polaron transport. An even higher conductivity (37 S cm(-1)) is obtained by changing the dopant from K to lithium (Li). We attribute the enhanced conductivity to a decreased perturbation of the polymer nanostructure induced by the smaller Li ions. These results highlight the importance of polymer chain planarity and dopant size for the polaronic state in conjugated polymers.
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8. |
- Li, Qifan, et al.
(author)
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A Highly Conductive n-Type Conjugated Polymer Synthesized in Water
- 2024
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In: Journal of the American Chemical Society. - : AMER CHEMICAL SOC. - 0002-7863 .- 1520-5126.
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) is a benchmark hole-transporting (p-type) polymer that finds applications in diverse electronic devices. Most of its success is due to its facile synthesis in water, exceptional processability from aqueous solutions, and outstanding electrical performance in ambient. Applications in fields like (opto-)electronics, bioelectronics, and energy harvesting/storage devices often necessitate the complementary use of both p-type and n-type (electron-transporting) materials. However, the availability of n-type materials amenable to water-based polymerization and processing remains limited. Herein, we present a novel synthesis method enabling direct polymerization in water, yielding a highly conductive, water-processable n-type conjugated polymer, namely, poly[(2,2 '-(2,5-dihydroxy-1,4-phenylene)diacetic acid)-stat-3,7-dihydrobenzo[1,2-b:4,5-b ']difuran-2,6-dione] (PDADF), with remarkable electrical conductivity as high as 66 S cm(-1), ranking among the highest for n-type polymers processed using green solvents. The new n-type polymer PDADF also exhibits outstanding stability, maintaining 90% of its initial conductivity after 146 days of storage in air. Our synthetic approach, along with the novel polymer it yields, promises significant advancements for the sustainable development of organic electronic materials and devices.
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9. |
- Liu, Tiefeng, et al.
(author)
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Ground-state electron transfer in all-polymer donor:acceptor blends enables aqueous processing of water-insoluble conjugated polymers
- 2023
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In: Nature Communications. - : NATURE PORTFOLIO. - 2041-1723. ; 14:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Water-based conductive inks are vital for the sustainable manufacturing and widespread adoption of organic electronic devices. Traditional methods to produce waterborne conductive polymers involve modifying their backbone with hydrophilic side chains or using surfactants to form and stabilize aqueous nanoparticle dispersions. However, these chemical approaches are not always feasible and can lead to poor material/device performance. Here, we demonstrate that ground-state electron transfer (GSET) between donor and acceptor polymers allows the processing of water-insoluble polymers from water. This approach enables macromolecular charge-transfer salts with 10,000x higher electrical conductivities than pristine polymers, low work function, and excellent thermal/solvent stability. These waterborne conductive films have technological implications for realizing high-performance organic solar cells, with efficiency and stability superior to conventional metal oxide electron transport layers, and organic electrochemical neurons with biorealistic firing frequency. Our findings demonstrate that GSET offers a promising avenue to develop water-based conductive inks for various applications in organic electronics. Chemical approaches to improve aqueous dispersions of conjugated polymers are limited by the feasibility of modifying the backbone or lead to poor performance. Here, Liu et al. show that ground-state electron transfer in donor:acceptor blends aids aqueous dispersion, for high conductivity and solubility.
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10. |
- Padinhare, Harikesh, et al.
(author)
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Ion-tunable antiambipolarity in mixed ion-electron conducting polymers enables biorealistic organic electrochemical neurons
- 2023
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In: Nature Materials. - : NATURE PORTFOLIO. - 1476-1122 .- 1476-4660. ; 22, s. 242-248
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Biointegrated neuromorphic hardware holds promise for new protocols to record/regulate signalling in biological systems. Making such artificial neural circuits successful requires minimal device/circuit complexity and ion-based operating mechanisms akin to those found in biology. Artificial spiking neurons, based on silicon-based complementary metal-oxide semiconductors or negative differential resistance device circuits, can emulate several neural features but are complicated to fabricate, not biocompatible and lack ion-/chemical-based modulation features. Here we report a biorealistic conductance-based organic electrochemical neuron (c-OECN) using a mixed ion-electron conducting ladder-type polymer with stable ion-tunable antiambipolarity. The latter is used to emulate the activation/inactivation of sodium channels and delayed activation of potassium channels of biological neurons. These c-OECNs can spike at bioplausible frequencies nearing 100 Hz, emulate most critical biological neural features, demonstrate stochastic spiking and enable neurotransmitter-/amino acid-/ion-based spiking modulation, which is then used to stimulate biological nerves in vivo. These combined features are impossible to achieve using previous technologies.
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