Silicon solar cell-enabled organic photoelectrochemical transistor optoelectronics

Organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) have been increasingly explored for innovative electronic devices. However, they inherently demand two power suppliers, which is unfavorable for the utilization of portable and wearable systems with strict energy requirements. Herein, by assembling a monocrystalline silicon solar cell into the OECT circuit with light as fuel, we demonstrated the possibility of a self-powered and light-modulated operation of organic photoelectrochemical transistor (OPECT) optoelectronics. Exemplified by poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS)-based depletion-mode and accumulation-mode OECTs, different light-addressable configurations were constructed, and the corresponding characteristics were systematically studied and compared. Different device behaviors with distinct characteristics could be achieved with the appropriate usage of light stimulation. Toward applications, optologics were designed with various parameters depending on the incident irradiance. Light-controlled OPECT unipolar inverters were further demonstrated and optimized with respect to the power source and resistance. This work features new OPECT optoelectronics combined with proper flexible substrates and solar cells for potential applications in portable and wearable devices.

Automated summary

By integrating a monocrystalline silicon solar cell into the circuit of an organic photoelectrochemical transistor (OPECT), the possibility of self-powered and light-modulated operation of OPECT optoelectronics was demonstrated. Different light-addressable configurations were constructed using depletion-mode and accumulation-mode OECTs, and their characteristics were systematically studied and compared. Light-controlled OPECT unipolar inverters were designed with various parameters depending on the incident irradiance, and optimization was done with respect to the power source and resistance. This work combines OPECT optoelectronics with flexible substrates and solar cells for potential applications in portable and wearable devices.