Photochemical Activation of Electrospun In₂O₃ Nanofibers for High-Performance Electronic Devices

Electrospun metal oxide nanofibers have been regarded as promising blocks for large-area, low-cost, and one-dimensional electronic devices. However, the electronic devices based on electrospun nanofibers usually suffer from poor performance and inferior viability. Here, we report an efficient photochemical process using UV light generated by a high-pressure mercury lamp to promote the electrical performance of the nanofiber-based electronic devices. Such UV treatment can lead to strong photochemical activation of electrospun nanofibers, and therefore, a stable adherent nanofiber network and electronic-clean interface were formed. By use of UV treatment, high-performance indium oxide (In₂O₃) nanofiber based field-effect transistors (FETs) with highly efficient modulation of electrical characteristics have been successfully fabricated. To reduce the operating voltage and further improve the device performance, the In₂O₃ nanofiber FETs based on solution-processed high-k AlO_x dielectrics were integrated and investigated. The as-fabricated In₂O₃/AlO_x FETs exhibit superior electrical performance, including a high mobility of 19.8 cm² V^-1 s^-1, a large on/off current ratio of 10⁶, and high stability over time and cycling. The improved performance of the UV-treated FETs was further confirmed by the integration of the electrospun In₂O₃/AlO_x FETs into inverters. This work presents an important advance toward the practical applications of electrospun nanofibers for functional electronic devices.