Pixelated full-colour small molecule semiconductor devices towards artificial retinas

Skhunov, M., Solodukhin, A. N., Giannakou, P., Askew, L., Luponosov, Y. N., Balakirev, D. O., Kalinichenko, N. K., Marko, I. P., Sweeney, S. J. and Ponomarenko, S. A. (2021) Pixelated full-colour small molecule semiconductor devices towards artificial retinas. Journal of Materials Chemistry C, 9(18), pp. 5858-5867. (doi: 10.1039/D0TC05383J)

Abstract

Opto-stimulation of semiconductor-biointerfaces provides efficient pathways towards eliciting neural activity through selective spectral excitation. In visual prosthesis, tri-colour stimulation capability is the key to restoring full-colour vision. Here we report on investigation of organic photoactive π-conjugated donor–acceptor small molecules based on triphenylamine whose absorption spectra are similar to those of the photoreceptors of the human eye. Photoactive device fabrication and characterisation towards full colour, pixelated retinal prosthesis based on inkjet printing of these molecules is demonstrated, with round pixels reaching 25 microns in diameter. Photo-response is studied via interfacing with biological electrolyte solution and using long-pulse, narrow-band excitation. Both photo-voltage and photo-current responses in the devices with a ZnO hole-blocking interlayer show clear signatures of capacitive charging at the electrolyte/device interface, also demonstrating spectral selectivity comparable to that of human eye’ cones and rods.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This work was supported by the Russian Science Foundation (grant 19-73-30028). M. S., P. G., L. A., I. P. M., and S. J. S. further acknowledge equipment support from EPSRC (EP/N021037/1) and PhD studentship support from Doctoral College, University of Surrey. Analysis of the purity of all the materials used in this work was performed on the equipment of the Collaborative Access Center ‘‘Center for Polymer Research’’ of ISPM RAS under financial support from Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation (Contract 0086-2019-0006). M. S. would like to thank Dr S. King (ATI, University of Surrey) for SEM measurements, and BEng (EEE U. Surrey). The work on synthesis of TPA-BTZ-Rh-Et was funded by Russian Foundation for Basic Research (project number 18-29-17073).
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Sweeney, Professor Stephen
• Authors: Skhunov, M., Solodukhin, A. N., Giannakou, P., Askew, L., Luponosov, Y. N., Balakirev, D. O., Kalinichenko, N. K., Marko, I. P., Sweeney, S. J., and Ponomarenko, S. A.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Electronics and Nanoscale Engineering
• Journal Name: Journal of Materials Chemistry C
• Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry
• ISSN: 2050-7526
• ISSN (Online): 2050-7534
• Published Online: 10 March 2021
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2011 The Royal Society of Chemistry
• First Published: First published in Journal of Materials Chemistry C 9(18):5858-5867
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License