Gold Nanoparticle-Crystalline rubrene hybrid nanocomposite via plasma processing and realization of Plasmon-enhanced organic thin film transistor with high responsivity

High performing and operationally stable thin film transistor device is successfully fabricated with an organic frame-work implemented by synthesis of rubrene crystals with gold nanoparticles (Au NPs). A novel synthesis route for the fabrication of the active material in the form of crystalline rubrene composite (CRC) is adopted via plasma processing approach. This report highlights two important features: a) report of a one-step process to synthesize crystalline rubrene gold nanocomposite in a thin film architecture and b) demonstration of a plasmon transistor for plasmon resonance energy detection. The fabricated device is a low-light responsive device showing the typical p-type characteristics. Excellent p-channel characteristics is shown by the device with a maximum field effect mobility of 0.215 cm(2)/V.s. At the peak wavelength of plasmonic absorption a very high responsivity of 25 A/W is achieved. Hot carriers are collected by the transistor from the nanostructures of Au NPs that contributes to the increase in drain current by modulating the channel conductivity. Due to the versatile nature of the plasmonic nanostructures in terms of wavelength tunability for the CRC material, this architecture has the potential to offer a wide range of spectrum that can be used in various applications.

Automated summary

In this study, a high-performance and operationally stable thin film transistor device was successfully fabricated by synthesizing rubrene crystals with gold nanoparticles to form an organic framework. A novel approach for synthesizing the active material in the form of crystalline rubrene composite (CRC) was adopted, showing potential for a wide range of applications due to its versatile plasmonic nanostructures.