1
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Tang CG, Wu R, Chen Y, Zhou Z, He Q, Li T, Wu X, Hou K, Kousseff CJ, McCulloch I, Leong WL. A Universal Biocompatible and Multifunctional Solid Electrolyte in p-Type and n-Type Organic Electrochemical Transistors for Complementary Circuits and Bioelectronic Interfaces. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2405556. [PMID: 39021303 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202405556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2024] [Revised: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
The development of soft and flexible devices for collection of bioelectrical signals is gaining momentum for wearable and implantable applications. Among these devices, organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) stand out due to their low operating voltage and large signal amplification capable of transducing weak biological signals. While liquid electrolytes have demonstrated efficacy in OECTs, they limit its operating temperature and pose challenges for electronic packaging due to potential leakage. Conversely, solid electrolytes offer advantages such as mechanical flexibility, robustness against environmental factors, and ability to bridge the interface between rigid dry electronics systems and soft wet biological tissues. However, few systems have demonstrated generality and compatibility with a wide range of state-of-the-art organic mixed ionic-electronic conductors (OMIECs). This paper introduces a highly stretchable, flexible, biocompatible, self-healable gelatin-based solid-state electrolyte, compatible with both p- and n-type OMIEC channels while maintaining high performance and excellent stability. Furthermore, this nonvolatile electrolyte is stable up to 120 °C and exhibits high ionic conductivity even in dry environment. Additionally, an OECT-based complementary inverter with a record-high normalized-gain of 228 V-1 and a corresponding ultralow static power consumption of 1 nW is demonstrated. These advancements pave the way for versatile applications ranging from bioelectronics to power-efficient implants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cindy G Tang
- School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore, 639798, Singapore
| | - Ruhua Wu
- School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore, 639798, Singapore
| | - Yingjun Chen
- School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore, 639798, Singapore
| | - Zhongliang Zhou
- School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore, 639798, Singapore
| | - Qiang He
- School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore, 639798, Singapore
| | - Ting Li
- School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore, 639798, Singapore
| | - Xihu Wu
- School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore, 639798, Singapore
| | - Kunqi Hou
- School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore, 639798, Singapore
| | | | - Iain McCulloch
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
- Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment, and Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA
| | - Wei Lin Leong
- School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore, 639798, Singapore
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Gregorio T, Mombrú D, Romero M, Faccio R, Mombrú ÁW. Exploring Mixed Ionic-Electronic-Conducting PVA/PEDOT:PSS Hydrogels as Channel Materials for Organic Electrochemical Transistors. Polymers (Basel) 2024; 16:1478. [PMID: 38891425 PMCID: PMC11174747 DOI: 10.3390/polym16111478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2024] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Here, we report the preparation and evaluation of PVA/PEDOT:PSS-conducting hydrogels working as channel materials for OECT applications, focusing on the understanding of their charge transport and transfer properties. Our conducting hydrogels are based on crosslinked PVA with PEDOT:PSS interacting via hydrogen bonding and exhibit an excellent swelling ratio of ~180-200% w/w. Our electrochemical impedance studies indicate that the charge transport and transfer processes at the channel material based on conducting hydrogels are not trivial compared to conducting polymeric films. The most relevant feature is that the ionic transport through the swollen hydrogel is clearly different from the transport through the solution, and the charge transfer and diffusion processes govern the low-frequency regime. In addition, we have performed in operando Raman spectroscopy analyses in the OECT devices supported by first-principle computational simulations corroborating the doping/de-doping processes under different applied gate voltages. The maximum transconductance (gm~1.05 μS) and maximum volumetric capacitance (C*~2.3 F.cm-3) values indicate that these conducting hydrogels can be promising candidates as channel materials for OECT devices.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dominique Mombrú
- Centro NanoMat & Área Física, Departamento de Experimentación y Teoría de la Estructura de la Materia y sus Aplicaciones (DETEMA), Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11800, Uruguay; (T.G.); (R.F.)
| | - Mariano Romero
- Centro NanoMat & Área Física, Departamento de Experimentación y Teoría de la Estructura de la Materia y sus Aplicaciones (DETEMA), Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11800, Uruguay; (T.G.); (R.F.)
| | | | - Álvaro W. Mombrú
- Centro NanoMat & Área Física, Departamento de Experimentación y Teoría de la Estructura de la Materia y sus Aplicaciones (DETEMA), Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11800, Uruguay; (T.G.); (R.F.)
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3
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Zhong Y, Lopez-Larrea N, Alvarez-Tirado M, Casado N, Koklu A, Marks A, Moser M, McCulloch I, Mecerreyes D, Inal S. Eutectogels as a Semisolid Electrolyte for Organic Electrochemical Transistors. CHEMISTRY OF MATERIALS : A PUBLICATION OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY 2024; 36:1841-1854. [PMID: 38435047 PMCID: PMC10902863 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemmater.3c02385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) are signal transducers offering high amplification, which makes them particularly advantageous for detecting weak biological signals. While OECTs typically operate with aqueous electrolytes, those employing solid-like gels as the dielectric layer can be excellent candidates for constructing wearable electrophysiology probes. Despite their potential, the impact of the gel electrolyte type and composition on the operation of the OECT and the associated device design considerations for optimal performance with a chosen electrolyte have remained ambiguous. In this work, we investigate the influence of three types of gel electrolytes-hydrogels, eutectogels, and iongels, each with varying compositions on the performance of OECTs. Our findings highlight the superiority of the eutectogel electrolyte, which comprises poly(glycerol 1,3-diglycerolate diacrylate) as the polymer matrix and choline chloride in combination with 1,3-propanediol deep eutectic solvent as the ionic component. This eutectogel electrolyte outperforms hydrogel and iongel counterparts of equivalent dimensions, yielding the most favorable transient and steady-state performance for both p-type depletion and p-type/n-type enhancement mode transistors gated with silver/silver chloride (Ag/AgCl). Furthermore, the eutectogel-integrated enhancement mode OECTs exhibit exceptional operational stability, reflected in the absence of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) variation in the simulated electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings conducted continuously over a period of 5 h, as well as daily measurements spanning 30 days. Eutectogel-based OECTs also exhibit higher ECG signal amplitudes and SNR than their counterparts, utilizing the commercially available hydrogel, which is the most common electrolyte for cutaneous electrodes. These findings underscore the potential of eutectogels as a semisolid electrolyte for OECTs, particularly in applications demanding robust and prolonged physiological signal monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yizhou Zhong
- Organic
Bioelectronics Laboratory, Biological and Environmental Science and
Engineering Division, King Abdullah University
of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Naroa Lopez-Larrea
- POLYMAT,
University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Avenida Tolosa 72, Donostia-San
Sebastian, Guipuzcoa 20018, Spain
| | - Marta Alvarez-Tirado
- POLYMAT,
University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Avenida Tolosa 72, Donostia-San
Sebastian, Guipuzcoa 20018, Spain
| | - Nerea Casado
- POLYMAT,
University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Avenida Tolosa 72, Donostia-San
Sebastian, Guipuzcoa 20018, Spain
- IKERBASQUE,
Basque Foundation for Science, Plaza Euskadi 5, Bilbao 48009, Spain
| | - Anil Koklu
- Organic
Bioelectronics Laboratory, Biological and Environmental Science and
Engineering Division, King Abdullah University
of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Adam Marks
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3TF, U.K.
| | - Maximilian Moser
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3TF, U.K.
| | - Iain McCulloch
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3TF, U.K.
| | - David Mecerreyes
- POLYMAT,
University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Avenida Tolosa 72, Donostia-San
Sebastian, Guipuzcoa 20018, Spain
- IKERBASQUE,
Basque Foundation for Science, Plaza Euskadi 5, Bilbao 48009, Spain
| | - Sahika Inal
- Organic
Bioelectronics Laboratory, Biological and Environmental Science and
Engineering Division, King Abdullah University
of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
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4
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Mei T, Liu W, Xu G, Chen Y, Wu M, Wang L, Xiao K. Ionic Transistors. ACS NANO 2024. [PMID: 38285731 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c06190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2024]
Abstract
Biological voltage-gated ion channels, which behave as life's transistors, regulate ion transport precisely and selectively through atomic-scale selectivity filters to sustain important life activities. By this inspiration, voltage-adaptable ionic transistors that use ions as signal carriers may provide an alternative information processing unit beyond solid-state electronic devices. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the first generation of biomimetic ionic transistors, including their operating mechanisms, device architecture development, and property characterizations. Despite its infancy, significant progress has been made in the applications of ionic transistors in fields such as DNA detection, drug delivery, and ionic circuits. Challenges and prospects of full exploitation of ionic transistors for a broad spectrum of practical applications are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Mei
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Biomaterials, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Institute of Innovative Materials, Southern University of Science and Technology, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, P.R. China
| | - Wenchao Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Biomaterials, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Institute of Innovative Materials, Southern University of Science and Technology, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, P.R. China
| | - Guoheng Xu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Biomaterials, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Institute of Innovative Materials, Southern University of Science and Technology, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, P.R. China
| | - Yuanxia Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Biomaterials, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Institute of Innovative Materials, Southern University of Science and Technology, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, P.R. China
| | - Minghui Wu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Biomaterials, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Institute of Innovative Materials, Southern University of Science and Technology, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, P.R. China
| | - Li Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Biomaterials, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Institute of Innovative Materials, Southern University of Science and Technology, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, P.R. China
| | - Kai Xiao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Biomaterials, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Institute of Innovative Materials, Southern University of Science and Technology, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, P.R. China
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5
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Azimi M, Kim CH, Fan J, Cicoira F. Effect of ionic conductivity of electrolyte on printed planar and vertical organic electrochemical transistors. Faraday Discuss 2023; 246:540-555. [PMID: 37436097 DOI: 10.1039/d3fd00065f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Conducting polymers with mixed electronic/ionic transport are attracting a great deal of interest for applications in organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs). Ions play a crucial role in OECT performance. The concentration and mobility of ions in the electrolyte influence the current flow in the OECT and its transconductance. This study examines the electrochemical properties and ionic conductivity of two semi-solid electrolytes, iongels, and organogels, with diverse ionic species and properties. Our results indicate that the organogels exhibited higher ionic conductivities than the iongels. Furthermore, the geometry of OECTs plays an important role in determining their transconductance. Thus, this study employs a novel approach for fabricating vertical-configuration OECTs with significantly shorter channel lengths planar devices. This is achieved through a printing method that offers advantages, such as design versatility, scalability, expedited production time, and reduced cost relative to traditional microfabrication methods. The transconductance values obtained for the vertical OECTs were significantly (approximately 50 times) higher than those of the planar devices because of their shorter channel lengths. Finally, the impact of different gating media on the performance of both planar and vertical OECTs was studied, and devices gated by organogels demonstrated improved transconductance and switching speed (almost two times higher) than those gated by iongels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona Azimi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Polytechnique Montréal, Montréal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada.
| | - Chi-Hyeong Kim
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Polytechnique Montréal, Montréal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada.
| | - Jiaxin Fan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Polytechnique Montréal, Montréal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada.
| | - Fabio Cicoira
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Polytechnique Montréal, Montréal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada.
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6
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Li X, Bi R, Ou X, Han S, Sheng Y, Chen G, Xie Z, Liu C, Yue W, Wang Y, Hu W, Guo SZ. 3D-Printed Intrinsically Stretchable Organic Electrochemical Synaptic Transistor Array. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:41656-41665. [PMID: 37610705 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c07169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
Organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) for skin-like bioelectronics require mechanical stretchability, softness, and cost-effective large-scale manufacturing. However, developing intrinsically stretchable OECTs using a simple and fast-response technique is challenging due to limitations in functional materials, substrate wettability, and integrated processing of multiple materials. In this regard, we propose a fabrication method devised by combining the preparation of a microstructured hydrophilic substrate, multi-material printing of functional inks with varying viscosities, and optimization of the device channel geometries. The resulting intrinsically stretchable OECT array with synaptic properties was successfully manufactured. These devices demonstrated high transconductance (22.5 mS), excellent mechanical softness (Young's modulus ∼ 2.2 MPa), and stretchability (∼30%). Notably, the device also exhibited artificial synapse functionality, mimicking the biological synapse with features such as paired-pulse depression, short-term plasticity, and long-term plasticity. This study showcases a promising strategy for fabricating intrinsically stretchable OECTs and provides valuable insights for the development of brain-computer interfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohong Li
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Flexible Electronic Materials and Wearable Devices, Key Laboratory for Polymeric Composite and Functional Materials of Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Materials and Technologies, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, P. R. China
| | - Ran Bi
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Flexible Electronic Materials and Wearable Devices, Key Laboratory for Polymeric Composite and Functional Materials of Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Materials and Technologies, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, P. R. China
| | - Xingcheng Ou
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Flexible Electronic Materials and Wearable Devices, Key Laboratory for Polymeric Composite and Functional Materials of Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Materials and Technologies, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, P. R. China
| | - Songjia Han
- State Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Materials and Technologies and Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Display Material and Technology, School of Electronics and Information Technology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Yu Sheng
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Flexible Electronic Materials and Wearable Devices, Key Laboratory for Polymeric Composite and Functional Materials of Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Materials and Technologies, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, P. R. China
| | - Guoliang Chen
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Flexible Electronic Materials and Wearable Devices, Key Laboratory for Polymeric Composite and Functional Materials of Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Materials and Technologies, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, P. R. China
| | - Zhuang Xie
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Flexible Electronic Materials and Wearable Devices, Key Laboratory for Polymeric Composite and Functional Materials of Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Materials and Technologies, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, P. R. China
| | - Chuan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Materials and Technologies and Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Display Material and Technology, School of Electronics and Information Technology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Wan Yue
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Flexible Electronic Materials and Wearable Devices, Key Laboratory for Polymeric Composite and Functional Materials of Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Materials and Technologies, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, P. R. China
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Prosthodontics, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Hospital of Stomatology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510055, China
| | - Weijie Hu
- School of Chemistry, Guangdong University of Petrochemical Technology, Maoming 525000, Guangdong, China
| | - Shuang-Zhuang Guo
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Flexible Electronic Materials and Wearable Devices, Key Laboratory for Polymeric Composite and Functional Materials of Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Materials and Technologies, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, P. R. China
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