On the current saturation observed in electrochemical polymer transistors

Electrochemical transistors based on conjugated polymers are proposed as a path to printed electronics on paper. The electrochemical doping/dedoping of conjugated polymers clearly plays a role in the current vs potential (I-V) characteristics of these devices, however, the mechanism of current saturation ( often referred to as pinch-off ) is not clearly understood, and the relationship between electrochemical devices and field-effect transistors is unclear. This paper offers a semiempirical model of the steady-state behavior of electrochemical transistors and compares this model with experimental observations of potential and electrochromic measurements within a device to illustrate the science behind the functionality observed. (c) 2006 The Electrochemical Society.