Issue 48, 2017

Flexible small-channel thin-film transistors by electrohydrodynamic lithography

Abstract

Small-channel organic thin-film transistors (OTFTs) are an essential component of microelectronic devices. With the advent of flexible electronics, the fabrication of OTFTs still faces numerous hurdles in the realization of highly-functional, devices of commercial value. Herein, a concise and efficient procedure is proposed for the fabrication of flexible, small-channel organic thin-film transistor (OTFT) arrays on large-area substrates that circumvents the use of photolithography. By employing a low-cost and high-resolution mechano-electrospinning technology, large-scale micro/nanofiber-based patterns can be digitally printed on flexible substrates (Si wafer or plastic), which can act as the channel mask of TFT instead of a photolithography reticle. The dimensions of the micro/nanochannel can be manipulated by tuning the processing parameters such as the nozzle-to-substrate distance, applied voltage, and fluid supply. The devices exhibit excellent electrical properties with high mobilities (∼0.62 cm2 V−1 s−1) and high on/off current ratios (∼2.47 × 106), and they are able to maintain stability upon being bent from 25 mm to 2.75 mm (bending radius) over 120 testing cycles. This electrohydrodynamic lithography-based approach is a digital, programmable, and reliable alternative for easily fabricating flexible, small-channel OTFTs, which can be integrated into flexible and wearable devices.

Graphical abstract: Flexible small-channel thin-film transistors by electrohydrodynamic lithography

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
16 Aug 2017
Accepted
18 Oct 2017
First published
19 Oct 2017

Nanoscale, 2017,9, 19050-19057

Flexible small-channel thin-film transistors by electrohydrodynamic lithography

Y. Ding, C. Zhu, J. Liu, Y. Duan, Z. Yi, J. Xiao, S. Wang, Y. Huang and Z. Yin, Nanoscale, 2017, 9, 19050 DOI: 10.1039/C7NR06075K

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