Broadly applicable hydrophilic additive enhances electrochemical transistor function

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Authors: Lin Gao, Yongjoon Cho, Rui Wang, Yao Yao, Dayong, Yifan Wang, Yongfa Cheng, Yuyang Wang, Qing Ma, Isaiah Duplessis, S. H. Chung, Evan Wilson
+8 more Kilwon Cho, Binghao Wang, Lu Li, Jonathan Rivnay, Hong Wang, Junsheng Yu, Tobin J. Marks, Antonio Facchetti
Cited by: 11
References: 62

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