The advancement of flexible and printable electronics demands the development of high-performance, low-power logic circuits based on organic semiconductors. A key challenge lies in achieving balanced ambipolar charge transport—where both holes and electrons exhibit comparable mobility—in a single active material. In this work, we present a novel approach to overcome this limitation through the integration of didecyldimethyl ammonium bromide (DDAB)-intercalated Ti₃C₂Tₓ MXene as a multifunctional additive into poly(diketopyrrolopyrrole-co-selenophene) (PDPP–Se), enabling simultaneous enhancement of hole and electron transport for superior ambipolar performance.
The DDAB intercalation process expands the interlayer spacing of Ti₃C₂Tₓ from 9.95 Å to 15.12 Å, as confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), allowing efficient liquid-phase exfoliation into stable, monolayer-like flakes. These flakes are dispersible in common organic solvents and form smooth, uniform thin films upon spin-coating. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirms the presence of nitrogen from DDAB at 401.3 eV, indicating successful surface functionalization. Photoelectron spectroscopy in air (PESA) reveals a significant reduction in the work function of Ti₃C₂Tₓ—from 5.Ritanserin Autophagy 14 eV to 4.67 eV—suggesting electron transfer from DDAB to the MXene surface. DFT calculations support this, showing a theoretical work function drop from 5.20 eV to 4.60 eV upon DDAB adsorption, driven by partial charge transfer and dipole moment effects.Tris(4-(pyridin-4-yl)phenyl)amine web
When blended with PDPP–Se at a flake ratio of 10⁻², the hybrid film exhibits exceptional ambipolar characteristics. Hole mobility increases by 170% to reach 2.0 cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹, while electron mobility improves by 152%, reaching 1.69 cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹—values among the highest reported for polymer-based OFETs. This dual enhancement arises from two synergistic mechanisms: first, the conductive MXene network forms continuous percolation pathways that facilitate rapid charge transport; second, DDAB acts as an effective n-dopant, filling electron traps in PDPP–Se and increasing carrier density. AFM and SEM imaging confirm a homogeneous dispersion of nanoscale flakes within the polymer matrix, minimizing roughness and enabling high-quality device fabrication.
Electrical measurements of top-gate bottom-contact OFETs show well-centered ambipolar transfer curves with minimal hysteresis. The threshold voltage (VOnset) shifts negatively under negative gate bias, confirming n-doping, while the p-channel response remains stable. At the optimal additive concentration, both hole and electron mobilities peak simultaneously, indicating true ambipolar balance. Control experiments with DDAB-only blends reveal stronger n-doping efficiency, suggesting that the Ti₃C₂Tₓ component partially counteracts the electron donation due to its electron-accepting nature—likely from fluorine terminations and Ti⁴⁺ sites.PMID:35259425
This balanced transport enables the construction of complementary logic gates. An inverter based on two series-connected transistors achieves a trip point of 39.8 V—nearly ideal for a 80 V supply—and a noise margin of 64.6%. A NAND gate composed of four such devices exhibits sharp logic inversion near 40 V, demonstrating reliable digital operation. Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) confirms spatially uniform potential distribution, ruling out phase segregation or localized trap formation.
In conclusion, this study demonstrates that intercalant engineering can transform MXenes into intelligent molecular additives capable of tuning the electronic properties of conjugated polymers. By combining structural exfoliation with chemical doping, the Ti₃C₂Tₓ-DDAB hybrid delivers high-performance, balanced ambipolar transport, paving the way for scalable, printable, and energy-efficient organic logic circuits. This approach opens new avenues for next-generation wearable electronics, integrated sensors, and low-cost computing systems.MedChemExpress (MCE) offers a wide range of high-quality research chemicals and biochemicals (novel life-science reagents, reference compounds and natural compounds) for scientific use. We have professionally experienced and friendly staff to meet your needs. We are a competent and trustworthy partner for your research and scientific projects.Related websites: https://www.medchemexpress.com