The damaging effects of the acidity in PEDOT:PSS on semiconductor device performance and solutions based on non-acidic alternatives

Cameron, J. and Skabara, P. J. (2020) The damaging effects of the acidity in PEDOT:PSS on semiconductor device performance and solutions based on non-acidic alternatives. Materials Horizons, 7(7), pp. 1759-1772. (doi: 10.1039/C9MH01978B)

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Abstract

Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate), PEDOT:PSS, has been widely used as an effective hole transporting material in many different organic semiconductor devices for well over a decade. However, despite having many strong features which make this material such a popular hole transport/injection layer, PEDOT:PSS is well-known to cause degradation in devices and limit their stability due to the acidity of the PSS chain. This review focusses on the attempts that have been made to combat this problem, with different strategies explored, including the development of neutral analogues, use of alternative materials and the introduction of barrier layers to prevent degradation of the electrode. Since solution-processing is a key advantage of using PEDOT:PSS, we concentrate on analogous materials that can also be solution-processed, with particular attention on whether orthogonal processing can be retained. We intend this work to be a useful guide for researchers considering enhanced device lifetimes, an important parameter when considering organic semiconductor devices for commercialisation.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Cameron, Dr Joseph and Skabara, Professor Peter
Authors: Cameron, J., and Skabara, P. J.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering
Journal Name:Materials Horizons
Publisher:Royal Society of Chemistry
ISSN:2051-6347
ISSN (Online):2051-6355
Published Online:24 March 2020
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2020 Royal Society of Chemistry
First Published:First published in Materials Horizons 7(7): 1759-1772
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
303776Light-controlled manufacturing of semiconductor structures: a platform for next generation processing of photonic devicesPeter SkabaraEngineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)EP/P02744X/2Chemistry
303848Molecular assembly of spintronic circuits with DNAPeter SkabaraEngineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)EP/N035496/2Chemistry