Micropatterned Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Electrodes for Use in High-Performance Transistors and Inverters

Abstract

We demonstrated the solution-processed single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) source-drain electrodes patterned using a plasma-enhanced detachment patterning method for high-performance organic transistors and inverters. The high-resolution SWNT electrode patterning began with the formation of highly uniform SWNT thin films on a hydrophobic silanized substrate. The SWNT source-drain patterns were then formed by modulating the interfacial energies of the prepatterned elastomeric mold and the SWNT thin film using oxygen plasma. The SWNT films were subsequently selectively delaminated using a rubber mold. The patterned SWNTs could be used as the source-drain electrodes for both n-type PTCDI-C8 and p-type pentacene field-effect transistors (FETs). The n- and p-type devices exhibited good and exactly matched electrical performances, with a field-effect mobility of around 0.15 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1) and an ON/OFF current ratio exceeding 10(6). The single electrode material was used for both the n and p channels, permitting the successful fabrication of a high-performance complementary inverter by connecting a p-type pentacene FET to an n-type PTCDI-C8 FET. This patterning technique was simple, inexpensive, and easily scaled for the preparation of large-area electrode micropatterns for flexible microelectronic device fabrication.

Solution-processed organic field-effect transistors using directed assembled carbon nanotubes and 2,7-dioctyl[1]benzothieno[3,2-b][1]benzothiophene (C8-BTBT)

“…Compared with silver, CNTs have a higher work function of 4.8 eV [31,32] and thus are more suitable to be used as source/drain electrodes for p-type organic semiconductors. Besides the work function, CNTs have merits of high flexibility and transparency [33], which makes them promising for emerging wearable electronics. To use CNTs as source/drain electrodes, versatile and dimension-controllable patterning methods are required.…”

Flexible, Highly Durable, and Thermally Stable SWCNT/Polyimide Transparent Electrodes

“…Since their discovery in 1991, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have received considerable attention for applications in many fields due to their unique and outstanding properties, such as high flexibility, low mass density, and large aspect ratio . To name a few, these applications include electronic transport, , integrated circuits, supercapacitors, − transistors, − composites, − computer, electrodes, − thermo-acoustic projectors, solar cells, mechanical resonators, and sensor materials, , etc. Among different applications, the CNT based flexible and transparent electrodes have been a focus of recent investigations.…”

“…Among different applications, the CNT based flexible and transparent electrodes have been a focus of recent investigations. The past efforts explored using different polymers as the substrate for CNT based flexible and transparent electrodes, such as polyurethane (PU), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), ,− , polycarbonate (PC), and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). , Although these mentioned polymer substates have good flexibility and high transparency, they have some inherent drawbacks, e.g., low thermal and chemical stability, inferior thermomechanical properties, as well as high oxygen and mositure permeability. This may limit their use in real applications and prevent us from achieving CNT based transparent electrodes with optimized electrical conductivity, transparency, mechanical and thermo-mechanical stability and durability.…”

Photopatterned Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Films Utilizing the Adsorption/Desorption Processes of Photofunctional Dispersants

“…Patterned films of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) have been employed in a variety of electronics applications, including capacitors, , field-emitting transistors (FETs), , and electronic junctions. , The efficient preparation of such films for SWNT-based devices requires precise patterning over controlled areas using a simple and reliable method. Several processes including chemical vapor deposition, growth patterning, microfluidic patterning, contact transfer, , chemically anchored deposition, , various etching procedures, , and inkjet printing , have been developed for the fabrication of well-patterned SWNT films.…”