Recent Progress in Organic Phototransistors: Semiconductor Materials, Device Structures and Optoelectronic Applications

TLDR

Phototransistors combine light detection and signal amplification, and organic phototransistors (OPTs) are attractive for their low cost, flexibility, and broadband detection. This review aims to describe OPT working mechanisms and performance metrics, discuss strategies to enhance performance through novel architectures and interface engineering, and outline future research directions. It surveys recent progress of OPTs based on conventional planar field‑effect transistor structures, novel device architectures, and flexible optoelectronic devices for wearable electronics. The review highlights advances in planar and flexible OPT designs, identifies key performance metrics, and points to challenges and opportunities for future research.

Abstract

Abstract Phototransistors combine light detection and signal amplification functions into a single device and are regarded as one of the most important components for optoelectronic integration. In recent years, organic phototransistors (OPTs) have attracted worldwide interest because of their potential advantages of low cost, light weight, excellent flexibility and broadband detection. In this review, a brief description of the working mechanisms and performance metrics of OPTs is presented. Afterwards, the recent progress of OPTs based on the conventional planar field‐effect transistor structure is presented. Furthermore, from the perspective of novel device architectures and interface engineering, strategies for improving the performance of OPTs are discussed. Flexible optoelectronic devices based on OPTs for potential application in next‐generation wearable and human‐friendly electronics are also highlighted. Finally, an outlook for future research directions and challenges for OPTs is provided.