Photoresponsive organic field-effect transistors involving photochromic molecules

In recent years, organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) with high performance and novel multifunctionalities have attracted considerable attention. Meanwhile, featured with reversible photoisomerization and the corresponding variation in color, chemical/physical properties, photochromic molecules have been applied in sensors, photo-switches and memories. Incorporation of photochromic molecules to blend in the device functional layers or to modify the interfaces of OFETs is common way to build photo-transistors. In this review, we focus on the recent advantages on the study of photoresponsive transistors involving one of three typical photochromic compounds spiropyran, diarylethene and azobenzene. Three main strategies are demonstrated in detail. Firstly, photochromic molecules are doped in active layers or combined with semiconductor structure thus forming photoreversible active layers. Secondly, the modification of dielectric layer/active layer interface is mainly carried out by bilayer dielectric. Thirdly, the photo-isomerization of self-assembled monolayer (SAM) on the electrode/active layer interface can reversibly modulate the work functions and charge injection barrier, result in bifunctional OFETs. All in all, the combination of photochromic molecules and OFETs is an efficient way for the fabrication of organic photoelectric devices. Photoresponsive transistors consisted of photochromic molecules are potential candidate for real applications in the future.