byLatifah Almulla, Victor Druet, Christopher E. Petoukhoff, Wentao Shan, Wan Yue, Iain McCulloch, Frédéric Laquai, Sahika
Inal
Year:2024DOI:https://doi.org/10.1039/D4MH00267A
Abstract
An organic photoelectrochemical transistor (OPECT) is
an organic electrochemical transistor (OECT) that utilizes light to toggle
between ON and OFF states. The current response to light and voltage fluxes in
aqueous media renders the OPECT ideal for the development of next-generation
bioelectronic devices, including light-assisted biosensors, light-controlled
logic gates, and artificial photoreceptors. However, existing OPECT
architectures are complex, often requiring photoactive nanostructures prepared
through labor-intensive synthetic methods, and despite this complexity, their
performance remains limited. In this study, we develop aqueous
electrolyte-compatible optoelectronic transistors using a single n-type semiconducting
polymer. The n-type film performs multiple tasks: (1) gating the channel, (2)
generating a photovoltage in response to light, and (3) coupling and
transporting cations and electrons in the channel. We systematically
investigate the photoelectrochemical properties of a range of n-type polymeric
mixed conductors to understand the material requirements for maximizing
phototransistor performance. Our findings contribute to the identification of
crucial material and device properties necessary for constructing
high-performance OPECTs with simplified design features and a direct interface
with biological systems.