Study of materials and devices for organic electronics

Author(s)

Luíz Gustavo Simão Albano

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: Bauru. 2018-04-23.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp). Faculdade de Ciências. Bauru
• Defense date: 2018-02-23
• Advisor: Carlos Frederico de Oliveira Graeff

Abstract

Currently, electronics based on organic materials has been acquiring visibility in the scientific and technological scenario due to the high mechanical flexibility and low-cost of these materials. The fabrication of electronic devices based on organic materials and low-cost techniques is a relevant and current challenge. Transistors deserve attention because they are the base of our current technology. In particular, a vertical architecture commonly known as VOFET (Vertical Organic Field Effect Transistor) has been explored in recent years. However, a common issue in VOFET structure is the intermediate electrode, which must be permeable to electric fields with low sheet resistance using low-cost production techniques. Thus, in the first part of this work, the development of an intermediate electrode based on silver nanowires using the low-cost technique known as Mayer rod-coating is presented. The optimized electrodes were applied in VOFETs, resulting in devices with current densities of 2.5 mA/cm2 and on/off ratio of 5x103, using operating voltages up to 2 V. Apart from to the organic semiconductors commonly synthesized, natural dyes are also being explored in organic electronics. Among them, melanin deserves attention because it is a natural pigment found in several biological systems. In the human body melanin is responsible for functions such as pigmentation, photoprotection and thermoregulation. The humidity-dependent electrical response associated with the high biocompatibility has provided considerable interest for applications in electronic devices. However, melanin when extracted in vivo presents considerable structural irregularity and low solubility. In this way, the development of synthetic routes to obtain thin films with quality has been considered. Thus, in the second part of this work, the fabrication of melanin thin films was explored for applications in organic electronics. The results obtained allowed the application of melanin thin films in electrochemical transistors. In addition, a study considering different conditions of relative humidity allowed observe that its electronic conductivity is governed by the comproportionation reaction. In the third part of this work, the fabrication of poly(vinyl alcohol) thin films with different percentages of melanin were studied for simultaneously applications as ultraviolet filters and transparent organic capacitors. The thin films fabricated presented good performance against UVA radiation, blocking 100 % of the incident rays and working as transparent organic capacitors using silver nanowires as electrode. The integration of the filters with organic electronics allows future applications of this system in smart windows. In the last part of this work, the crosslinking of poly(vinyl alcohol) polymer chains through melanin incorporation was studied in order to replace ammonium dichromate. Ammonium dichromate is traditionally used in the poly(vinyl alcohol) crosslinking process. The results showed that the thin films with 0.5 % of melanin presented a reduction factor of almost 100 in current density when compared to the neat thin films, similar behavior when the crosslinking is performed with inorganic materials. The results obtained in this work showed the possibility to fabricate electronic devices based on organic materials and low-cost techniques. In addition, the use of melanin is an interesting alternative due to the fact that this material has high biocompatibility and can perform different functions in electronic devices. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/09963-6 - Construction and characterization of vertical organic field effect transistors by using nanostructured materials as intermediate electrode
• Grantee: Luíz Gustavo Simão Albano
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)