Poly(vinyl alcohol) gate dielectric in organic field-effect transistors

The use of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) as the gate dielectric in organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) constitutes an effective solution for lowering the operating voltage and for the realization of next-generation flexible electronic applications. This article reviews the progress of both planar and vertical type OFETs that utilize PVA as the gate dielectric. It presents a systematic study, highlighting the major advantages, disadvantages and limitations related to the use of PVA in OFETs. Most importantly, this review discusses the physical mechanisms related to charge trapping at the dielectric/semiconductor interface of OFETs and the several mechanisms that influence the effective charge transport. In this context, the recent advances dedicated to the improvement of charge transport and performance in PVA OFETs will also be presented and discussed.