A high-conductivity n-type polymeric ink for printed electronics

Abstract

Conducting polymers, such as the p-doped poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS), have enabled the development of an array of opto- and bio-electronics devices. However, to make these technologies truly pervasive, stable and easily processable, n-doped conducting polymers are also needed. Despite major efforts, no n-type equivalents to the benchmark PEDOT:PSS exist to date. Here, we report on the development of poly(benzimidazobenzophenanthroline):poly(ethyleneimine) (BBL:PEI) as an ethanol-based n-type conductive ink. BBL:PEI thin films yield an n-type electrical conductivity reaching 8Scm(-1), along with excellent thermal, ambient, and solvent stability. This printable n-type mixed ion-electron conductor has several technological implications for realizing high-performance organic electronic devices, as demonstrated for organic thermoelectric generators with record high power output and n-type organic electrochemical transistors with a unique depletion mode of operation. BBL:PEI inks hold promise for the development of next-generation bioelectronics and wearable devices, in particular targeting novel functionality, efficiency, and power performance. The development of n-type conductive polymer inks is critical for the development of next-generation opto-electronic devices that rely on efficient hole and electron transport. Here, the authors report an alcohol-based, high performance and stable n-type conductive ink for printed electronics. ; Funding Agencies|Knut and Alice Wallenberg foundationKnut & Alice Wallenberg Foundation; Swedish Research CouncilSwedish Research CouncilEuropean Commission [2016-03979, 2020-03243]; AForsk [18-313, 19-310]; Olle Engkvists Stiftelse [204-0256]; VINNOVAVinnova [2020-05223]; Swedish Government Strategic Research Area in Materials Science on Functional Materials at Linkoping University [SFO-Mat-LiU 2009-00971]; National Research Foundation of KoreaNational Research Foundation of Korea [NRF2020M3H4A3081814, 2019R1A6A1A11044070]; National Science FoundationNational Science Foundation (NSF) [DMR-2003518]