Transparent flexible organic thin-film transistors that use printed single-walled carbon nanotube electrodes

Electrodes based on printed networks of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) are integrated with ultrathin layers of the organic semiconductor pentacene to produce bendable, transparent thin-film transistors on plastic substrates. The physical and structural properties of the SWNTs lead to the remarkably good electrical contacts with the pentacene. Optical transmittances of similar to 70%, device mobilities > 0.5 cm(2) V-1 s(-1), ON/OFF ratios > 10(5) and tensile strains as large as 1.8% are achieved in devices of this type. These characteristics indicate promise for applications in power conserving flexible display systems and other devices. (c) 2006 American Institute of Physics.