Use of poly(3-hexylthiophene)/poly(methyl methacrylate) (P3HT/PMMA) blends to improve the performance of water-gated organic field-effect transistors

Poly(3-hexylthiophene)/poly(methyl methacrylate) (P3HT/PMMA) blends were used as the semiconducting layer in water-gated organic field-effect transistors (OFETs), which resulted in improving the electrical performance of the previously reported devices with pure P3HT. Topographic investigations by atomic force microscopy carried out on blends with various PMMA to P3HT ratio reveal a lateral phase separation of the two components. All transistors operate at very low voltage (below 1 V), with a threshold voltage ranging form 0.3 to 0.5 V. An optimum of the composition of the blend is found with 70% of PMMA, leading to a maximum on/off current ratio and a mobility comparable to that of pure P3HT.

Graphical abstractBlending the semiconducting P3HT to the insulating polymer PMMA in water-gated organic transistors results in improving the on/off ratio without loss of the mobility, while keeping low voltage operation.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Water-gated organic field-effect transistors operate in the field-effect mode at very low voltages. ► Blends of P3HT and PMMA have mobility similar to that of pure P3HT with concentration of PMMA up to 70. ► Drain current on/off ratio reaches an optimum value for a PMMA concentration of 70%.