Organic Semiconductor Applications in Thin-Film Transistor Technology

Organic thin‐film transistors (OTFTs) harness π‐conjugated molecules and polymers to create flexible, lightweight and low‐cost electronic devices. Unlike silicon, organic semiconductors can be deposited by solution processing or printing onto a variety of substrates, offering unique opportunities for large‐area electronics, wearable sensors and disposable displays. Key performance metrics such as field‐effect mobility, on/off ratio and operational stability have improved substantially through advances in molecular design, crystalline ordering and interface engineering. Strategies to align molecules into highly ordered lamellar or brickwork structures reduce energetic disorder and enhance charge delocalisation, while novel deposition methods yield uniform, ultrathin films with minimal trap density. Concurrent progress in dielectric materials, electrode contacts and encapsulation techniques has extended device lifetimes and enabled low‐voltage operation. As research converges on scalable fabrication routes and robust material systems, organic thin‐film transistors are moving from laboratory demonstrations towards industrial applications in flexible circuits, electronic skin and integrated sensors.

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Organic Semiconductor Applications in Thin-Film Transistor Technology publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in organic semiconductor applications in thin-film transistor technology across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Organic thin‐film transistor (OTFT): A field‐effect device in which an organic semiconductor layer controls current flow between source and drain electrodes under a gate voltage.

Field‐effect mobility: A measure of how quickly charge carriers move through the semiconductor channel when driven by an electric field.

Monolayer crystal: A single molecule-thick sheet of ordered semiconductor material, often exhibiting distinct electronic and optical properties relative to bulk films.

Shearing deposition: A technique that applies controlled mechanical force during solution coating to align molecules and promote uniform crystallisation.

Methylthiolation: The chemical introduction of methylthio substituents to a molecular core, used to tune intermolecular interactions and crystal packing.

References

1. Field‐Effect Transistors Based on 2D Organic Semiconductors Developed by a Hybrid Deposition Method. Advanced Science (2019).
2. “Manipulation” of Crystal Structure by Methylthiolation Enabling Ultrahigh Mobility in a Pyrene‐Based Molecular Semiconductor. Advanced Materials (2021).