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Matarèse BFE, Feyen PLC, Falco A, Benfenati F, Lugli P, deMello JC. Use of SU8 as a stable and biocompatible adhesion layer for gold bioelectrodes. Sci Rep 2018; 8:5560. [PMID: 29615634 PMCID: PMC5882823 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-21755-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2017] [Accepted: 01/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Gold is the most widely used electrode material for bioelectronic applications due to its high electrical conductivity, good chemical stability and proven biocompatibility. However, it adheres only weakly to widely used substrate materials such as glass and silicon oxide, typically requiring the use of a thin layer of chromium between the substrate and the metal to achieve adequate adhesion. Unfortunately, this approach can reduce biocompatibility relative to pure gold films due to the risk of the underlying layer of chromium becoming exposed. Here we report on an alternative adhesion layer for gold and other metals formed from a thin layer of the negative-tone photoresist SU-8, which we find to be significantly less cytotoxic than chromium, being broadly comparable to bare glass in terms of its biocompatibility. Various treatment protocols for SU-8 were investigated, with a view to attaining high transparency and good mechanical and biochemical stability. Thermal annealing to induce partial cross-linking of the SU-8 film prior to gold deposition, with further annealing after deposition to complete cross-linking, was found to yield the best electrode properties. The optimized glass/SU8-Au electrodes were highly transparent, resilient to delamination, stable in biological culture medium, and exhibited similar biocompatibility to glass.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno F E Matarèse
- Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, SW7 2AY, UK
| | - Paul L C Feyen
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16132, Genoa, Italy
| | - Aniello Falco
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Free University of Bolzano - Bozen, 39100, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Fabio Benfenati
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16132, Genoa, Italy
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, 16132, Genoa, Italy
| | - Paolo Lugli
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Free University of Bolzano - Bozen, 39100, Bolzano, Italy
| | - John C deMello
- Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, SW7 2AY, UK.
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2
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Xu WF, Tsai MC, Fu PH, Huang TY, Yang SJ, Tian WC, Chu CW, Huang DW, Wei PK. Efficiency enhancement of organic solar cells using peroxo-polytitanic acid coated silver nanowires as transparent electrodes. RSC Adv 2015. [DOI: 10.1039/c4ra15915b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Silver nanowires and peroxo-polytitanic acid gel combined with TiOx used as conducting electrodes for organic solar cell application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Feng Xu
- Research Center for Applied Sciences
- Academia Sinica
- Taipei 11529
- Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Photonics and Optoelectronics
| | - Ming-Chih Tsai
- Research Center for Applied Sciences
- Academia Sinica
- Taipei 11529
- Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Electronics and Bioinformatics
| | - Po-Han Fu
- Graduate Institute of Photonics and Optoelectronics
- National Taiwan University
- Taipei 10617
- Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Yen Huang
- Research Center for Applied Sciences
- Academia Sinica
- Taipei 11529
- Taiwan
- Department of Chemical Engineer
| | - Shang-Jung Yang
- Research Center for Applied Sciences
- Academia Sinica
- Taipei 11529
- Taiwan
- Institute of Optoelectronics Sciences
| | - Wei-Cheng Tian
- Graduate Institute of Electronics Engineering
- National Taiwan University
- Taipei 10617
- Taiwan
| | - Chih-Wei Chu
- Research Center for Applied Sciences
- Academia Sinica
- Taipei 11529
- Taiwan
| | - Ding-Wei Huang
- Graduate Institute of Photonics and Optoelectronics
- National Taiwan University
- Taipei 10617
- Taiwan
| | - Pei-Kuen Wei
- Research Center for Applied Sciences
- Academia Sinica
- Taipei 11529
- Taiwan
- Institute of Optoelectronics Sciences
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3
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Falco A, Cinà L, Scarpa G, Lugli P, Abdellah A. Fully-sprayed and flexible organic photodiodes with transparent carbon nanotube electrodes. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2014; 6:10593-10601. [PMID: 24914700 DOI: 10.1021/am5022123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we demonstrate the feasibility of TCO-free, fully sprayed organic photodiodes on flexible polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrates. Transparent conducting films of single-wall carbon nanotubes are spray deposited from aqueous solutions. Low roughness is achieved, and films with sheet resistance values of 160 Ω/sq at 84% in transmittance are fabricated. Process issues related to the wetting of CNTs are then examined and solved, enabling successive spray depositions of a poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) layer and a blend of regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) and [6,6]-phenyl C61 butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM). The active layer is then optimized, achieving a process yield above 90% and dark currents as low as 10(-4) mA/cm(2). An external quantum efficiency of 65% and high reproducibility in the performance of the devices are obtained. Finally, the impact of the characteristics of the transparent electrode (transmittance and sheet resistance) on the performances of the device are investigated and validated through a theoretical model and experimental data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aniello Falco
- Institute for Nanoelectronics, Technische Universität München , Arcisstrasse 21, D-80333, München, Germany
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Du J, Pei S, Ma L, Cheng HM. 25th anniversary article: carbon nanotube- and graphene-based transparent conductive films for optoelectronic devices. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2014; 26:1958-1991. [PMID: 24591083 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201304135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2013] [Revised: 02/14/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Carbon nanotube (CNT)- and graphene (G)-based transparent conductive films (TCFs) are two promising alternatives for commonly-used indium tin oxide-based TCFs for future flexible optoelectronic devices. This review comprehensively summarizes recent progress in the fabrication, properties, modification, patterning, and integration of CNT- and G-TCFs into optoelectronic devices. Their potential applications and challenges in optoelectronic devices, such as organic photovoltaic cells, organic light emitting diodes and touch panels, are discussed in detail. More importantly, their key characteristics and advantages for use in these devices are compared. Despite many challenges, CNT- and G-TCFs have demonstrated great potential in various optoelectronic devices and have already been used for some products like touch panels of smartphones. This illustrates the significant opportunities for the industrial use of CNTs and graphene, and hence pushes nanoscience and nanotechnology one step towards practical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinhong Du
- Shenyang National Laboratory for Materials Science, Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 72 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, 110016, P. R. China
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Tsai YJ, Chang CY, Lai YC, Yu PC, Ahn H. Realization of metal-insulator transition and oxidation in silver nanowire percolating networks by terahertz reflection spectroscopy. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2014; 6:630-635. [PMID: 24299073 DOI: 10.1021/am404717j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Metal nanowires (NWs) enable versatile applications in printed electronics and optoelectronics by serving as thin and flexible transparent electrodes. The performance of metal NWs as thin electrodes is highly correlated to the connectivity of NW meshes. The percolation threshold of metal NW films corresponds to the minimum density of NWs to form the transparent, yet conductive metal NW networks. Here, we determine the percolation threshold of silver NW (AgNW) networks by using morphological analysis and terahertz (THz) reflection spectroscopy. From the divergent behavior of carrier scattering time and the increase of carrier backscattering factor, the critical NW density at which crossover from Drude to non-Drude behavior of THz conductivity occurs can be unambiguously determined for AgNW thin films. Furthermore, the natural oxidation of AgNWs which causes the gradual reduction of the connectivity of the AgNW network is also realized by the THz spectroscopy. The selective oxidation of NW-to-NW junctions weakens the ohmic contact, and for AgNWs near a critical density, it can even lead to metal-insulator transition. The presented results offer invaluable information to accelerate the deployment of metal nanowires for next-generation electronics and optoelectronics on flexible substrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao-Jiun Tsai
- Department of Photonics and Institute of Electro-Optical Engineering, National Chiao-Tung University , Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan, Republic of China
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Mehlich J, Miyata Y, Shinohara H, Ravoo BJ. Fabrication of a carbon-nanotube-based field-effect transistor by microcontact printing. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2012; 8:2258-2263. [PMID: 22511338 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201102248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2011] [Revised: 01/02/2012] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The fabrication of a field-effect transistor with both channel material and source and drain electrodes made from carbon nanotubes (CNTs) through patterned deposition of CNT films by microcontact printing is described. Surfactant-dispersed single-walled CNTs are first separated into semiconducting and metallic fractions by gel filtration. The semiconducting and metallic CNTs are then sequentially transferred by dendrimer-coated polydimethylsiloxane stamps onto dendrimer-coated silicon wafers following a printing protocol optimized for this purpose. The resulting CNT micropatterns are visualized by atomic force microscopy. Semiconducting as well as metallic CNTs preserve their characteristic electronic properties within the transferred films. A device composed of a rather thick (ca. 5 nm) and densely patterned film of metallic CNTs cross-printed on top of a thinner (ca. 1.5 nm) and less dense film of semiconducting CNTs shows the typical properties of a field-effect transistor with the metallic CNT stripes as electrodes, the semiconductive CNT stripes as channel material, and the silicon substrate as gate electrode.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Mehlich
- Organisch-Chemisches Institut and CeNTech, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
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Su Y, Du J, Pei S, Liu C, Cheng HM. Contamination-free and damage-free patterning of single-walled carbon nanotube transparent conductive films on flexible substrates. NANOSCALE 2011; 3:4571-4574. [PMID: 22006236 DOI: 10.1039/c1nr10824g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
High quality patterning of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) transparent conductive films is achieved by a lift-off aluminum interlayer method, which has the advantage of resulting in contamination-free and damage-free SWCNTs. The obtained patterns preserve the electrical properties of the SWCNT films and show promising applications in flexible high frequency electronic and display devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Su
- Shenyang National Laboratory for Materials Science, Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, 110016, PR China
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Leem DS, Edwards A, Faist M, Nelson J, Bradley DDC, de Mello JC. Efficient organic solar cells with solution-processed silver nanowire electrodes. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2011; 23:4371-4375. [PMID: 21861269 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201100871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 236] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2011] [Revised: 05/26/2011] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Seok Leem
- Centre for Plastic Electronics, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, London, UK
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Chang J, Najeeb CK, Lee JH, Kim JH. Single-walled carbon nanotubes/polymer composite electrodes patterned directly from solution. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2011; 27:7330-7336. [PMID: 21557548 DOI: 10.1021/la2009573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
This work describes a simple technique for direct patterning of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT)/poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT-PSS) composite electrodes in a large area on a substrate based on the solution transfer process by microcontact printing using poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) stamps. Various shapes of SWNT/PEDOT-PSS composite patterns, such as line, circle, and square, can be easily fabricated with high pattern fidelity and structural integrity. The single parallel line pattern device exhibits high electrical conductivity (0.75 × 10(5) S/m) and electronic stability because of alignment of nanotubes and big-size SWNT bundles (∼5 nm). The electromechanical study reveals that the composite patterns show ∼1% resistance change along SWNT alignment direction and ∼5% resistance change along vertical alignment direction after 200 bend cycles. Our approach provides a facile, low-cost method to pattern transparent conductive SWNT/polymer composite electrodes and demonstrates a novel platform for future integration of conducting SWNT/polymer composite patterns for optoelectronic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingbo Chang
- Department of Molecular Science and Technology, Ajou University, Suwon 443-749, Republic of Korea
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Ogihara H, Fukasawa M, Saji T. Method for patterning various nanomaterials: electrochemical deposition of patterned Ni thin films and their utilization as a strippable mask. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2011; 3:2108-2111. [PMID: 21539402 DOI: 10.1021/am200325b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
We report an interesting approach for preparing micropatternings of nanomaterials, such as carbon nanotubes and TiO(2) nanoparticles. In the method, exfoliation of electrodeposited Ni thin films was the key process. After patterning indium thin oxide (ITO) plates with an insulating photoresist by conventional photolithography, Ni was electrodeposited on only the exposed ITO areas. The resulting substrates were evenly covered with nanomaterials by a drop cast method. By exfoliating the electrodeposited Ni thin films from the substrates, patterned nanomaterial films were formed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hitoshi Ogihara
- Department of Chemistry & Materials Science, Tokyo Institute of Technology 2-12-1, Ookayama, Tokyo 152-8552, Japan.
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11
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Wöbkenberg PH, Eda G, Leem DS, de Mello JC, Bradley DDC, Chhowalla M, Anthopoulos TD. Reduced graphene oxide electrodes for large area organic electronics. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2011; 23:1558-1562. [PMID: 21360779 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201004161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2010] [Revised: 01/01/2011] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Paul H Wöbkenberg
- Department of Physics and Centre for Plastic Electronics, Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College London, London SW72BW, UK
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