Atomically Thin Amorphous Indium-Oxide Semiconductor Film Developed Using a Solution Process for High-Performance Oxide Transistors

High-performance oxide transistors have recently attracted significant attention for use in various electronic applications, such as displays, sensors, and back-end-of-line transistors. In this study, we demonstrate atomically thin indium-oxide (InOx) semiconductors using a solution process for high-performance thin-film transistors (TFTs). To achieve superior field-effect mobility and switching characteristics in TFTs, the bandgap and thickness of the InOx were tuned by controlling the InOx solution molarity. As a result, a high field-effect mobility and on/off-current ratio of 13.95 cm2 V-1 s-1 and 1.42 x 1010, respectively, were achieved using 3.12-nanometer-thick InOx. Our results showed that the charge transport of optimized InOx with a thickness of 3.12 nm is dominated by percolation conduction due to its low surface roughness and appropriate carrier concentration. Furthermore, the atomically thin InOx TFTs showed superior positive and negative gate bias stress stabilities, which are important in electronic applications. The proposed oxide TFTs could provide an effective means of the fabrication of scalable, high-throughput, and high-performance transistors for next-generation electronic applications.

Automated summary

This study demonstrates high-performance thin-film transistors (TFTs) using atomically thin indium-oxide (InOx) semiconductors fabricated through a solution process. By controlling the solution molarity, the bandgap and thickness of the InOx were tuned to achieve superior field-effect mobility and switching characteristics in TFTs. The optimized InOx TFTs showed high field-effect mobility, high on/off-current ratio, and superior positive and negative gate bias stress stabilities, making them promising for next-generation electronic applications.