Obtation and characterization of organic electrochemical transistors based on melanin

Abstract

The present project aims to obtain and characterize organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) from synthetic melanin in combination with conductive materials. The OECT is a device capable of modulating the current of a semiconductor channel by changing its doping state through gate-controlled ion injection. The device arouses great interest due to its ability to emulate synapses and potential revolution in current methods of data processing and storage. The use of melanin in OECTs is of great interest due to its biocompatibility and good ion permeability, however synthetic melanin has low electronic conductivity. To improve the electronic conductivity of melanin, we will use materials such as polyaniline (PANI), PPy, rGO and MXenes. We will thus combine the good ionic permeability of melanin with the good electrical properties of the conductive polymer in order to obtain OECTs with a high µC* product value. Melanins with different functionalizations, synthesized by different processes will be combined with the conductors forming blends or composites for use as an active layer of OECTs. The OECTs will be characterized electrically, by DC methods (characteristic and transfer curves) and by electrical impedance spectroscopy. Finally, the stability of the devices will be tested using electrical stress measurements. (AU)