Article abstract
Nature Materials 8, 672 - 676 (2009)
Published online: 21 June 2009 | doi:10.1038/nmat2478
Subject Categories: Semiconductors | Molecular electronics | Polymers
The dynamic organic p–n junction
Piotr Matyba1, Klara Maturova2, Martijn Kemerink2, Nathaniel D. Robinson3 & Ludvig Edman1
Abstract
Static p–n junctions in inorganic semiconductors are exploited in a wide range of today's electronic appliances. Here, we demonstrate the in situ formation of a dynamic p–n junction structure within an organic semiconductor through electrochemistry. Specifically, we use scanning kelvin probe microscopy and optical probing on planar light-emitting electrochemical cells (LECs) with a mixture of a conjugated polymer and an electrolyte connecting two electrodes separated by 120 
m. We find that a significant portion of the potential drop between the electrodes coincides with the location of a thin and distinct light-emission zone positioned >30 m away from the negative electrode. These results are relevant in the context of a long-standing scientific debate, as they prove that electrochemical doping can take place in LECs. Moreover, a study on the doping formation and dissipation kinetics provides interesting detail regarding the electronic structure and stability of the dynamic organic p–n junction, which may be useful in future dynamic p–n junction-based devices.
- The Organic Photonics and Electronics Group, Department of Physics, Umeå University, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden
- Department of Applied Physics, Eindhoven University of Technology, PO Box 513, 5600 MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- The Transport and Separations Group, Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, SE-58183 Linköping, Sweden
Correspondence to: Ludvig Edman1 e-mail: ludvig.edman@physics.umu.se
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