Materials Chemistry, Device Engineering, and Promising Applications of Polymer Transistors

Organic transistors are a key building block in current organic and printable electronics. This Perspective overviews the development, applications, and opportunities of the organic transistor to provide a quick guide map and insight into the materials chemistry and engineering of organic transistors. We begin by addressing the basics of organic semiconductors, followed by the development of materials for organic transistors. The main topic of interest in materials development is semiconducting materials for the active channel in transistors. We also briefly cover electrodes and insulators. We then highlight the major issues and development noted in organic transistors when increasing the charge-carrier mobility, introducing additional functionalities, developing n-type materials, engineering processing methods, applying ionic systems, and seeking novel opportunities in devices. We also discuss the recent advances made by materials chemists and engineers in developing better-performing materials and novel electronic devices. Organic transistors are of significant interest from scientific and practical standpoints. Various applications of organic transistors can be developed on the basis of the combinations of molecular tunability, low-temperature processability, and mechanical deformability of materials.