Inkjet printed organic electrochemical transistors with highly conducting polymer electrolytes

Abstract

Organic Electrochemical Transistors (OECTs) were fabricated with two kinds of highly conducting polymer electrolytes, one with cations of small dimensions (Li+) and the other with cations of large dimensions (1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium, EMI+). All OECTs exhibit transconductance values in the millisiemens range. Those with the larger EMI+ cations reach higher transconductance values and the saturated region of their I(V) characteristics extends to drain negative voltages of the order of −2 V without breakdown. These OECTs aim at potential applications for which it is relevant to use a solid polymer electrolyte instead of an aqueous electrolyte, namely, for integration in complex devices or in sensors and transducers where the electrolyte film may act as a membrane to prevent direct contact of the active material (PEDOT:PSS) with the biological media. The choice of electrolytes with cations of disparate sizes aims at assessing the nature (Faradaic or capacitive) of the processes occurring at the electrolyte/channel interface. The results obtained are consistent with a Faradaic-based operation mechanism.