Broadly applicable hydrophilic additive enhances electrochemical transistor function
Abstract
Organic semiconductors offering efficient mixed ionic-electronic charge transport are key components of organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) needed for future bioelectronics and other technologies. However, hydrophobic semiconductors typically have limited ion mobility and are unstable in aqueous environments, restricting OECT applications. To address these issues, we report a broadly applicable strategy for high-performance OECTs by blending polymeric semiconductors with a photocrosslinkable hydrophilic ion-conducting supplement, poly(ethyleneglycol)-dimethylacrylate (PEGDMA). The result is ordered, interconnected semiconductor domains within an amorphous ion-conducting matrix, enabling rapid and reversible doping/dedoping without compromising charge transport. This approach enhances OECT performance across diverse electrolytes, semiconductors, and device architectures. Furthermore, PEGDMA enables high-resolution photopatterning of both semiconductors (
Fields of Study & Subjects
Conducting polymers and applications
Advanced Memory and Neural Computing
Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
- Publisher
- National Academy of Sciences
- Volume
- 123
- Issue
- 10
- Pages
- e2523877123–e2523877123
- Publication date
- 2 March 2026
- Language
- EN