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Stretchable all-gel organic electrochemical transistors
Linlin Lu1, Xu Liu1, Puzhong Gu1
1Interdisciplinary Materials Research Center, Department of Polymeric Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, PR China.
Nature Communications
|April 23, 2025
Summary
High-performance stretchable organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) were developed using all-gel networks. These devices offer excellent stretchability and electrical properties for applications in electronic skins and artificial synapses.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electronics Engineering
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Stretchable organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) are key for flexible electronics but face challenges balancing stretchability and electrical performance.
- Achieving high stretchability without compromising transistor characteristics remains a significant hurdle in OECT development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop high-performance stretchable all-gel OECTs.
- To overcome the limitations of current OECTs by enhancing both stretchability and electrical properties.
- To explore novel applications for these advanced stretchable devices.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of all-gel OECTs utilizing semiconducting polymer gel active layers.
- Incorporation of poly(ionic liquid) ionogel electrolytes for enhanced ion transport.
- Characterization of OECT performance, including transconductance, on/off ratio, stretchability, and stability.
Main Results:
- The developed all-gel OECTs demonstrate ultra-high transconductance (86.4 mS) and an on/off ratio of 1.2 × 10^5.
- Achieved stretchability up to 50% with remarkable stability over 10,000 cycles at 30% strain.
- Successfully applied as stretchable pressure-sensitive electronic skins, artificial synapses, and gas sensors.
Conclusions:
- The all-gel network strategy effectively enhances ion penetration and transport, leading to superior stretchability and electrical performance in OECTs.
- These OECTs show significant potential for tactile sensing in robotic applications, neuromorphic computing, and olfactory simulation.
- This work presents a versatile all-gel approach for advancing high-performance flexible electronics.
