Breakthrough in Fluorinated Molecules Transforms Flexible Electronics

2025-07-09 flextronics

Tokyo, Wednesday, 9 July 2025.
Researchers found PFBT molecules cut transistor resistance by 16-fold and energy barriers by 73%, edging us closer to advanced bendable screens and intuitive wearables.

Advancements Driven by Soochow University

A pivotal development in the field of flexible electronics has been achieved by scientists from Soochow University in China. Their innovative work utilizes pentafluorobenzenethiol (PFBT) molecules to significantly improve the performance of flexible organic thin-film transistors. By integrating PFBT, the contact resistance in these devices is reduced by an astounding 16-fold—from 1,314 Ω·cm to 79.7 Ω·cm—while the Schottky barrier height is decreased by 73.3%, from 150 meV to 40 meV [1].

Mechanism of PFBT Molecules

The effectiveness of PFBT lies in its dual-functional nature. Dr. Wei Deng from the research team explains that sulfur atoms in PFBT bond robustly with metals like silver, improving the metal’s work function and facilitating charge injection by lowering the energy barrier. Additionally, PFBT’s fluorine-rich structure donates electrons that fill trap states in the organic layer, thus eliminating resistance and increasing device efficiency [1]. This integration in flexible electronics promises a transformative impact, particularly in the consumer electronics market.

Implications for Electronics Manufacturing

This innovation is set to revolutionize the electronics manufacturing industry, especially in producing bendable and printable devices. Dr. Yongji Wang, a key figure in the study, noted that integrating PFBT during film formation allows in-situ interface modification, eliminating additional processing steps and making it compatible with roll-to-roll printing techniques crucial for large-scale manufacturing [1]. This scalability aspect is crucial as it underscores the potential for mass production of flexible electronics.

Expanding Applications and Future Prospects

The PFBT-based method shows versatility, working efficiently with various organic semiconductors, including both p-type materials like C8-BTBT and n-type, as well as polymer semiconductors. The research team successfully demonstrated the fabrication of 72 device arrays, underscoring the method’s scalability. Such advancements indicate the potential for this technology to eventually compete with traditional inorganic thin-film transistors, providing unmatched flexibility and opening new avenues for consumer electronics innovations [1].

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flexible electronics transistor resistance