Breaking the mobility–stability dichotomy in organic semiconductors through adaptive surface doping

Z Zhaofeng Wang (Key Laboratory of Organic Integrated Circuit, Ministry of Education & Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Optoelectronic Sciences, Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Tianjin University) X Xianshuo Wu (Key Laboratory of Organic Integrated Circuit, Ministry of Education & Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Optoelectronic Sciences, Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Tianjin University) S Siyuan Zhang S Shuyuan Yang (Key Laboratory of Organic Integrated Circuit, Ministry of Education & Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Optoelectronic Sciences, Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Tianjin University) P Pichao Gao (Key Laboratory of Organic Integrated Circuit, Ministry of Education & Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Optoelectronic Sciences, Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Tianjin University) P Panhui Huang (Zurich Instruments Aktiengesellschaft) Y Yanling Xiao X Xianfeng Shen (Key Laboratory of Organic Integrated Circuit, Ministry of Education & Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Optoelectronic Sciences, Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Tianjin University) X Ximeng Yao (Key Laboratory of Organic Integrated Circuit, Ministry of Education & Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Optoelectronic Sciences, Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Tianjin University) D Dong Zeng (Department of Pathology, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University) J Jiansheng Jie (Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials, Soochow University) Y Yecheng Zhou (The Key Laboratory of Low-Carbon Chemistry & Energy Conservation of Guangdong Province, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University) F Fangxu Yang (Key Laboratory of Organic Integrated Circuit, Ministry of Education & Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Optoelectronic Sciences, Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Tianjin University) R Rongjin Li (Key Laboratory of Organic Integrated Circuit, Ministry of Education & Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Optoelectronic Sciences, Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Tianjin University) W Wenping Hu

Abstract

Organic semiconductors (OSCs) are pivotal for next-generation flexible electronics but are limited by an intrinsic trade-off between mobility and stability. We introduce adaptive surface doping (ASD), an innovative strategy to overcome this dichotomy in OSCs. ASD's adaptive mechanism accommodates a broad range of dopant concentrations, optimally passivating trap states as needed. This approach significantly lowers the trap energy level from 84 meV to 14 meV above the valence band edge, promoting a transition from hopping to band-like transport mechanisms. ASD boosts carrier mobility by over 60%, reaching up to 30.7 cm 2 V −1 s −1 , while extending the extrapolated operational lifetime of treated devices beyond 57.5 y. This breakthrough sets a standard in organic electronics, positioning ASD as a powerful method for simultaneously enhancing performance and stability in OSC devices.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 122, Issue 14
Published April 08, 2025
ISSN 0027-8424
Publisher National Academy of Sciences

Authors (15)

Z

Zhaofeng Wang

Key Laboratory of Organic Integrated Circuit, Ministry of Education & Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Optoelectronic Sciences, Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Tianjin University

X

Xianshuo Wu

Key Laboratory of Organic Integrated Circuit, Ministry of Education & Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Optoelectronic Sciences, Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Tianjin University

S

Siyuan Zhang

S

Shuyuan Yang

Key Laboratory of Organic Integrated Circuit, Ministry of Education & Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Optoelectronic Sciences, Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Tianjin University

P

Pichao Gao

Key Laboratory of Organic Integrated Circuit, Ministry of Education & Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Optoelectronic Sciences, Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Tianjin University

P

Panhui Huang

Zurich Instruments Aktiengesellschaft

Y

Yanling Xiao

X

Xianfeng Shen

Key Laboratory of Organic Integrated Circuit, Ministry of Education & Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Optoelectronic Sciences, Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Tianjin University

X

Ximeng Yao

Key Laboratory of Organic Integrated Circuit, Ministry of Education & Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Optoelectronic Sciences, Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Tianjin University

D

Dong Zeng

Department of Pathology, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University

J

Jiansheng Jie

Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials, Soochow University

Y

Yecheng Zhou

The Key Laboratory of Low-Carbon Chemistry & Energy Conservation of Guangdong Province, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University

F

Fangxu Yang

Key Laboratory of Organic Integrated Circuit, Ministry of Education & Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Optoelectronic Sciences, Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Tianjin University

R

Rongjin Li

Key Laboratory of Organic Integrated Circuit, Ministry of Education & Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Optoelectronic Sciences, Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Tianjin University

W

Wenping Hu