Polymeric semiconductor/graphene hybrid field-effect transistors

Solution processed organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) usually have high on/off ratios but suffer from low mobilities, while transistors based on graphene usually exhibit very high mobilities but low on/off ratios. We demonstrate a straightforward route to solve the challenging problem of enhancing the effective mobility in OFETs while keeping the on/off ratio sufficiently high. We achieve this by developing hybrid FETs incorporating both organic semiconductors and graphene. Compared against OFETs with only pure organic semiconductors, our hybrid FETs exhibit up to 20 times higher effective mobilities, and yet they keep the on/off ratios comparable or better. P3HT/graphene hybrid FETs exhibit mobility as high as 0.17 cm2 V−1 s−1, and PQT-12/graphene hybrid FETs show effective mobility up to 0.6 cm2 V−1 s−1. We expect that incorporating graphene is a general route to enhance the performance of OFETs, providing a low-cost avenue for enhancing OFET performance.

Graphical abstractOrganic semiconductor/graphene hybrid field-effect transistors (FETs) are fabricated by solution processes. Compared to FETs with pure organic semiconductors, hybrid FETs exhibit 20 times higher effective mobility while keeping the on/off ratio of devices sufficiently high.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► We report a straightforward route to enhance the mobility in OFETs. ► Hybrid FETs incorporating both organic semiconductors and graphene were developed. ► Hybrid FETs exhibit up to 20 times higher effective mobilities than pure OFETs without graphene. ► P3HT/graphene hybrid FETs exhibit mobility as high as 0.17 cm2 V−1 s−1. ► PQT-12/graphene hybrid FETs show effective mobility up to 0.6 cm2 V−1 s−1.