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[[Research Highlights Vol.86]New Leap in Flexible Electronics: MANA's Breakthrough Doping Innovation](https://mdr.nims.go.jp/datasets/8d08a31b-427c-4d35-9bc5-f32b4e787f7c)

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New Leap in Flexible Electronics: MANA's Breakthrough Doping Innovation| MANAPrevious Index NextResearch Highlights[Vol. 86]New Leap in Flexible Electronics: MANA's Breakthrough Doping Innovation6 Feb, 2024Researchers from the Research Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics (MANA) have introduceda doping method to achieve accurate and consistent conductivity for organic semiconductors.Organic semiconductors consisting of polymers are important for the development of flexible electronicdevices. However, achieving consistent conductivity using current doping methods is challenging. Dopinginvolves the addition of dopants to the semiconductor via a redox reaction to increase the density ofcharge carriers. However, the process is sensitive to the reaction atmosphere and impurities, particularlywater, which deactivates the dopants.In a new study, a research team led by Dr. Yu Yamashita from MANA, in collaboration with Dr. MasakiIshii (first author) from MANA, has now developed a simple doping method capable of producing organicsemiconductors of desired conductivity levels. The method is based on the proton-coupled electrontransfer reaction (PCET) observed in biochemical processes.In PCET, protons and electrons are simultaneously transferred between two molecules. This reactionprovides a way to convert an organic semiconductor into a p-type doped state by encouraging amolecule to accept electrons from the semiconductor. For the doping process, the researchers immersedPBTTT, an organic semiconductor, in an aqueous solution containing benzoquinone (BQ), hydroquinone(HQ), and hydrophobic molecular anions. BQ receives protons from the aqueous solution along withelectrons from PBTTT. The electron transfer from the organic semiconductor increases the number ofholes in the organic semiconductor, changing its conductivity.The advantage of this method lies in its reproducibility and pH-dependent controllability. Adjusting thesolution's pH allows precise control over the doping amount and, subsequently, the conductivity. “TheResearchQuantum Materials FieldNanomaterials FieldResearch SupportResearch HighlightsHot TopicsHome  > Research  > Research Highlights  > Vol. 86 New Leap in Flexible Electroni･･･About MANA Research People News Room Outreach Employment AlumniSite Map Contact Us Access to MANA Website System Requirements   Text size  Standard Large  Japanese Page2024/07/16 13:39 New Leap in Flexible Electronics: MANA's Breakthrough Doping Innovation| MANAhttps://www.nims.go.jp/mana/research/highlights/vol86.html 1/3https://www.nims.go.jp/mana/research/highlights/vol85.htmlhttps://www.nims.go.jp/mana/research/highlights/index.htmlhttps://www.nims.go.jp/mana/research/highlights/vol87.htmlhttps://www.nims.go.jp/mana/research/index.htmlhttps://www.nims.go.jp/mana/research/quantum_material.htmlhttps://www.nims.go.jp/mana/research/nano_material.htmlhttps://www.nims.go.jp/mana/research/researcher_support.htmlhttps://www.nims.go.jp/mana/research/highlights/index.htmlhttps://www.nims.go.jp/mana/research/hottopics/index.htmlhttps://www.nims.go.jp/mana/jp/index.htmlhttps://www.nims.go.jp/mana/research/index.htmlhttps://www.nims.go.jp/mana/research/highlights/index.htmlhttp://www.jsps.go.jp/english/e-toplevel/http://www.jsps.go.jp/english/e-toplevel/https://www.nims.go.jp/mana/index.htmlhttps://www.nims.go.jp/mana/index.htmlhttps://www.nims.go.jp/mana/about/index.htmlhttps://www.nims.go.jp/mana/research/index.htmlhttps://www.nims.go.jp/mana/member/index.htmlhttps://www.nims.go.jp/mana/news_room/2024.htmlhttps://www.nims.go.jp/mana/pror/index.htmlhttps://www.nims.go.jp/mana/recruit/index.htmlhttps://www.nims.go.jp/mana/alumni/index.htmlhttps://www.nims.go.jp/mana/siteinfo/sitemap.htmlhttps://www.nims.go.jp/mana/siteinfo/inquiry.htmlhttps://www.nims.go.jp/mana/siteinfo/access.htmlhttps://www.nims.go.jp/mana/siteinfo/accessibility.htmlhttps://www.nims.go.jp/mana/jp/research/highlights/vol86.htmlFermi level of the semiconductors was precisely and reproducibly tuned by the pH of the dopingsolution,” says Dr. Yamashita. Moreover, such precise doping was conducted in ambient air for the firsttime, demonstrating unprecedented scalability suitable for device manufacturing.This innovative doping method offers a cost-effective approach for developing flexible and stableelectronics, such as wireless sensors, energy-harvesting modules, biomolecular devices, displays, andsolar cells.ReferenceJournal NatureTitle Doping of molecular semiconductors through proton-coupled electron transferAuthors Masaki Ishii, Yu Yamashita, Shun Watanabe, Katsuhiko Ariga, and Jun TakeyaAffiliations Research Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics (MANA), National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS),Namiki 1-1, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0044, JapanGraduate School of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, 1-3 Kagurazaka, Shinjuku-ku,Tokyo 162-8601, JapanMaterial Innovation Research Center (MIRC) and Department of Advanced Materials Science, GraduateSchool of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5, Kashiwa-no-ha, Kashiwa City, Chiba 277-8561, JapanDOI 10.1038/s41586-023-06504-8Press Release "Precise Chemical Doping of Organic Semiconductors in an AqueousSolution"Contact informationResearch Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics (MANA)National Institute for Materials Science1-1 Namiki, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0044 JapanPhone: +81-29-860-4710E-mail: mana-pr[AT]nims.go.jpTo receive our e-mail newsletter “MANA Research Highlights”, please send an e-mail with "MANA ResearchHighlights request” in the subject line or main text to the following address: mana-pr_at_nims.go.jp *Pleasechange "_at_ " in the email address to @.Research Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics (MANA)National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS)1-1 Namiki Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0044 JAPAN+81-29-860-4709E-mail: mana[AT]nims.go.jpPage Top2024/07/16 13:39 New Leap in Flexible Electronics: MANA's Breakthrough Doping Innovation| MANAhttps://www.nims.go.jp/mana/research/highlights/vol86.html 2/3https://samurai.nims.go.jp/profiles/yamashita_yu?locale=enhttps://samurai.nims.go.jp/profiles/ariga_katsuhiko?locale=enhttps://samurai.nims.go.jp/profiles/takeya_junichi?locale=enhttps://www.nims.go.jp/eng/research/mana/index.htmlhttps://www.tus.ac.jp/en/grad/ri/https://mirc.k.u-tokyo.ac.jp/https://www.k.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/index.htmlhttps://www.k.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/index.htmlhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-06504-8https://www.nims.go.jp/mana/news_room/press/2023101801.htmlhttps://www.nims.go.jp/mana/news_room/press/2023101801.htmlhttp://www.nims.go.jp/eng/index.htmlhttp://www.nims.go.jp/eng/index.htmlhttps://www.jsps.go.jp/english/e-toplevel/index.htmlhttps://www.jsps.go.jp/english/e-toplevel/index.htmlhttp://www.nims.go.jp/icys/http://www.nims.go.jp/icys/https://samurai.nims.go.jp/?locale=enhttps://samurai.nims.go.jp/?locale=enhttps://www.tandfonline.com/toc/tsta20/currenthttps://www.tandfonline.com/toc/tsta20/currenthttps://www.facebook.com/wpi.mana/https://www.facebook.com/wpi.mana/https://twitter.com/wpi_manahttps://twitter.com/wpi_manahttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVSuGvDIrL-ZAzpaPVipslwhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVSuGvDIrL-ZAzpaPVipslwCopyright © National Institute for Materials Science. 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