Effects of the Ionic Currents in Electrolyte-gated Organic Field-Effect Transistors

Polyelectrolytes are promising materials as gate dielectrics in organic field-effect transistors (OFETs). Upon gate bias, their polarization induces an ionic charging current, which generates a large double layer capacitor (10-500 mu F cm(-2))at the semiconductor/electrolyte interface. The resulting transistor operates at low voltages (<1 V) and its conducting channel is formed in similar to 50 mu s. The effect of ionic currents on the performance of the OFETs is investigated by varying the relative humidity of the device ambience. Within defined humidity levels and potential values, the water electrolysis is negligible and the OFETs performances are optimum.