Photopatternable gel electrolytes for stretchable solid-state organic electrochemical transistors

Abstract

Organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs), functioning as transduction amplifiers, demonstrate considerable potential for integration into biosensors and wearable technologies. However, conventional OECTs demonstrate limited stability in conformal sensing on biointerfaces, primarily due to their poor ductility and liquid-electrolyte-gated operation mechanisms. A double-network-based stretchable gel electrolyte is presented, simultaneously integrating exceptional mechanical compliance and high ionic conductivity. OECT arrays, gated through photopatterned gel electrolytes, demonstrate high uniformity in electrical performance. Besides, the solid-state devices show remarkable electrical stability when subjected to 50% strain, thus facilitating continuous electrocardiogram monitoring under mechanical deformation. This validates its application potential in ambulatory healthcare systems requiring long-term biosensing.