Improved Injection in n-Type Organic Transistors with Conjugated Polyelectrolytes

Abstract

To improve injection in n-type organic thin film transistors (OTFTs), a thin conjugated polyelectrolyte (CPE) layer was interposed between electrodes and the semiconductor layer. OTFTs were fabricated with [6,6]-phenyl-C₆₁ butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) and Au source and drain contacts. We demonstrate that the insertion of CPEs beneath top-contact Au source/drain electrodes can be a very effective strategy for improving the carrier injection and reducing turn-on threshold voltages of n-channel OTFTs. Ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy (UPS) indicates that the decrease of the electron injection barrier is consistent with organized dipoles at the metal/organic interface.