Wafer-scale integration of stretchable semiconducting polymer microstructures via capillary gradient.

Qiu, Yuchen; Zhang, Bo; Yang, Junchuan; Gao, Hanfei; Li, Shuang; Wang, Le; Wu, Penghua; Su, Yewang et al. · Nat Commun · 2021

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Organic semiconducting polymers have opened a new paradigm for soft electronics due to their intrinsic flexibility and solution processibility. However, the contradiction between the mechanical stretchability and electronic performances restricts the implementation of high-mobility polymers with rigid molecular backbone in deformable devices. Here, we report the realization of high mobility and stretchability on curvilinear polymer microstructures fabricated by capillary-gradient assembly method. Curvilinear polymer microstructure arrays are fabricated with highly ordered molecular packing, controllable pattern, and wafer-scale homogeneity, leading to hole mobilities of 4.3 and 2.6 cm<sup>2</sup> V<sup>-1</sup> s<sup>-1</sup> under zero and 100% strain, respectively. Fully stretchable field-effect transistors and logic circuits can be integrated in solution process. Long-range homogeneity is demonstrated with the narrow distribution of height, width, mobility, on-off ratio and threshold voltage across a four-inch wafer. This solution-assembly method provides a platform for wafer-scale and reproducible integration of high-performance soft electronic devices and circuits based on organic semiconductors.