Self-healing electronics

Abstract

This thesis is a record of the work that was completed during the first 6 months of 10 months attachment programme with Prof Wei Lin Leong’s research group. The objective of this project is to develop and characterize self-healing smart polymer gel to be used for biosensors based on Organic Electrochemical Transistors (OECTs) setup. Self-healing electronics have been actively investigated for wearable electronic devices to improve the durability and reliability of devices during repetitive use and stress. More importantly, one must lay a solid foundation for OECTs to be able to carry out the above-mentioned objectives, which was accomplished during the first phase of the thesis work. OECTs based on highly conductive polymer Poly(3,4-EthyleneDioxyThiophene) doped with Polystyrene Sulfonate (PEDOT: PSS) were fabricated and characterised for various device structures and chemical compositions (of the semiconducting/active layer) to achieve transconductance values on par with the ones mentioned in recent literature articles related to OECTs. Upon device characterization, various device parameters such as transconductance, current ON/OFF ratio and response time helped us to understand the basic principle of such electrochemical devices which would go a long way in their implementation as biosensors in the future. As part of the thesis work, the focus was on fabricating OECT devices with self-healing capabilities. OECTs, with self-healing active layer and electrolytic ionic gel, were fabricated and demonstrated to show recovery of electronic properties after deliberate cuts/fractures made to the devices.