Fully 3D-printed organic electrochemical transistors

Organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) are being researched for various applications, ranging from sensors to logic gates and neuromorphic hardware. To meet the requirements of these diverse applications, the device fabrication process must be compatible with flexible and scalable digital techniques. Here, we report a direct-write additive process to fabricate fully 3D-printed OECTs, using 3D printable conducting, semiconducting, insulating, and electrolyte inks. These 3D-printed OECTs, which operate in the depletion mode, can be fabricated on flexible substrates, resulting in high mechanical and environmental stability. The 3D-printed OECTs have good dopamine biosensing capabilities (limit of detection down to 6 mu M without metal gate electrodes) and show long-term (similar to 1 h) synapse response, indicating their potential for various applications such as sensors and neuromorphic hardware. This manufacturing strategy is suitable for applications that require rapid design changes and digitally enabled direct-write techniques.

Automated summary

A direct-write additive process was developed to fabricate fully 3D-printed organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) using 3D printable inks. These OECTs can be fabricated on flexible substrates, providing high mechanical and environmental stability. They exhibit good dopamine biosensing capabilities and long-term synapse response, making them suitable for various applications such as sensors and neuromorphic hardware.