Side Chain Redistribution as a Strategy to Boost Organic Electrochemical Transistor Performance and Stability
Maximilian Moser, Tania Cecilia Hidalgo Castillo, Jokūbas Surgailis, Johannes Gladisch, Sarbani Ghosh, Rajendar Sheelamanthula, Quentin Thiburce, Alexander Giovannitti, Alberto Salleo, Nicola Gasparini, Andrew Wadsworth, Igor Zozoulenko, Magnus Berggren, Eleni Stavrinidou, Sahika Inal, Iain McCulloch
Abstract
Abstract A series of glycolated polythiophenes for use in organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) is designed and synthesized, differing in the distribution of their ethylene glycol chains that are tethered to the conjugated backbone. While side chain redistribution does not have a significant impact on the optoelectronic properties of the polymers, this molecular engineering strategy strongly impacts the water uptake achieved in the polymers. By careful optimization of the water uptake in the polymer films, OECTs with unprecedented steady‐state performances in terms of [ μC * ] and current retentions up to 98% over 700 electrochemical switching cycles are developed.