Nanostructured Channel for Improving Emission Efficiency of Hybrid Light-Emitting Field-Effect Transistors

We report on the mechanism of enhancing the luminance and external quantum efficiency (EQE) by developing nanostructured channels in hybrid (organic/inorganic) light-emitting transistors (HLETs) that combine a solution-processed oxide and a polymer heterostructure. The heterostructure comprised two parts: (i) the zinc tin oxide/zinc oxide (ZTO/ZnO), with and without ZnO nanowires (NWs) grown on the top of the ZTO/ZnO stack, as the charge transport layer and (ii) a polymer Super Yellow (SY, also known as PDY-132) layer as the light-emitting layer. Device characterization shows that using NWs significantly improves luminance and EQE (≈1.1% @ 5000 cd m-2) compared to previously reported similar HLET devices that show EQE < 1%. The size and shape of the NWs were controlled through solution concentration and growth time, which also render NWs to have higher crystallinity. Notably, the size of the NWs was found to provide higher escape efficiency for emitted photons while offering lower contact resistance for charge injection, which resulted in the improved optical performance of HLETs. These results represent a significant step forward in enabling efficient and all-solution-processed HLET technology for lighting and display applications.

Large Area Emission in p-Type Polymer-Based Light-Emitting Field-Effect Transistors by Incorporating Charge Injection Interlayers

Organic light-emitting field-effect transistors (LEFETs) provide the possibility of simplifying the display pixilation design as they integrate the drive-transistor and the light emission in a single architecture. However, in p-type LEFETs, simultaneously achieving higher external quantum efficiency (EQE) at higher brightness, larger and stable emission area, and high switching speed are the limiting factors for to realise their applications. Herein, we present a p-type polymer heterostructure-based LEFET architecture with electron and hole injection interlayers to improve the charge injection into the light-emitting layer, which leads to better recombination. This device structure provides access to hole mobility of ~2.1 cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹ and EQE of 1.6% at a luminance of 2600 cd m⁻². Most importantly, we observed a large area emission under the entire drain electrode, which was spatially stable (emission area is not dependent on the gate voltage and current density). These results show an important advancement in polymer-based LEFET technology toward realizing new digital display applications.

Cobalt-Doped ZnO Nanorods Coated with Nanoscale Metal-Organic Framework Shells for Water-Splitting Photoanodes

Developing highly efficient and stable photoelectrochemical (PEC) water-splitting electrodes via inexpensive, liquid phase processing is one of the key challenges for the conversion of solar energy into hydrogen for sustainable energy production. ZnO represents one the most suitable semiconductor metal oxide alternatives because of its high electron mobility, abundance, and low cost, although its performance is limited by its lack of absorption in the visible spectrum and reduced charge separation and charge transfer efficiency. Here, we present a solution-processed water-splitting photoanode based on Co-doped ZnO nanorods (NRs) coated with a transparent functionalizing metal-organic framework (MOF). The light absorption of the ZnO NRs is engineered toward the visible region by Co-doping, while the MOF significantly improves the stability and charge separation and transfer properties of the NRs. This synergetic combination of doping and nanoscale surface functionalization boosts the current density and functional lifetime of the photoanodes while achieving an unprecedented incident photon to current efficiency (IPCE) of 75% at 350 nm, which is over 2 times that of pristine ZnO. A theoretical model and band structure for the core-shell nanostructure is provided, highlighting how this nanomaterial combination provides an attractive pathway for the design of robust and highly efficient semiconductor-based photoanodes that can be translated to other semiconducting oxide systems.

Mobility Evaluation of [1]Benzothieno[3,2- b][1]benzothiophene Derivatives: Limitation and Impact on Charge Transport

Among contemporary semiconductors, many of the best performing materials are based on [1]benzothieno[3,2- b][1]benzothiophene (BTBT). Alkylated derivatives of these small molecules not only provide high hole mobilities but also can be easily processed by thermal vacuum or solution deposition methods. Over the last decade, numerous publications have investigated molecular structures and charge transport properties to elucidate what makes these molecules so special. However, the race toward ever higher mobilities resulted in significantly deviating values, which exacerbates linking molecular structure to electronic properties. Moreover, a recently arisen debate on overestimation of organic field-effect transistor mobilities calls for a revaluation of these numbers. We synthesized and characterized four BTBT derivatives with either one or two alkyl chains (themselves consisting of either 8 or 10 carbon atoms) and investigated their spectroscopic, structural, and electrical properties. By employing two-probe, gated four-point probe and gated van der Pauw measurements, we compare field-effect mobility values at room and low temperatures and discuss their feasibility and viability. We attribute mobility changes to different angles between molecule planes and core-to-core double-layer stacking of asymmetric BTBT derivatives and show higher mobilities in the presence of more and longer alkyl chains. A so-called "zipper effect" brings BTBT cores in closer proximity promoting stronger intermolecular orbital coupling and hence higher charge transport.

Low-Voltage Solution-Processed Hybrid Light-Emitting Transistors

We report the development of low operating voltages in inorganic-organic hybrid light-emitting transistors (HLETs) based on a solution-processed ZrO _x gate dielectric and a hybrid multilayer channel consisting of the heterojunction In₂O₃/ZnO and the organic polymer "Super Yellow" acting as n- and p-channel/emissive layers, respectively. Resulting HLETs operate at the lowest voltages reported to-date (<10 V) and combine high electron mobility (22 cm²/(V s)) with appreciable current on/off ratios (≈10³) and an external quantum efficiency of 2 × 10^-2% at 700 cd/m². The charge injection, transport, and recombination mechanisms within this HLET architecture are discussed, and prospects for further performance enhancement are considered.

Case of the month. Hepatic and renal failure in a patient taking troglitazone and metformin

Troglitazone is a thiazolidinedione with insulin-sensitizing activities when administered to humans or animals with type 2 diabetes mellitus. It has been shown to have numerous desirable metabolic effects on glucose and lipid metabolism. A major adverse effect of troglitazone is the development of hepatotoxicity. In early clinical trials, elevations of serum aminotransferases (> 3 times upper normal limit) occurred in 48 of 2510 (1.9%) subjects receiving troglitazone. In December 1997 and again in August 1998, the United States Food and Drug Administration issued stronger warnings after getting reports of more than a hundred cases of liver damage, including liver failure requiring transplantation in three patients and death in another patient. Warner-Lambert Company announced on March 21, 2000 that it is voluntarily discontinuing the sale of Rezulin (troglitazone) tablets for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Media reports sensationalizing the risks, associated with Rezulin therapy had created an environment in which patients and physicians were simply unable to make well-informed decisions regarding the safety and efficacy of Rezulin. Under these circumstances, and after discussions with the FDA, the company decided it was in the best interests of patients to discontinue marketing Rezulin. Concerns about the hepatotoxicity of troglitazone led the Medicine Control Agency of the United Kingdom to request voluntary withdrawal of the drug from the UK in December 1997.