Ion diffusion overestimates figures of merit in polymeric mixed conductors

Figures of merit are used to translate science to technology. For organic mixed ionic-electronic conductors (OMIECs), the product of mobility and volumetric capacitance, i.e., the µC* product, is the figure of merit used to guide the development of technologies ranging from bioelectronics to neuromorphics. While organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) are used extensively to measure the µC* product, if there is a kink in the transistor current, then the µC* product is overestimated. Here, we show that the origin of the kink is a change in the rate with which the ions diffuse into the channel. We also discover that the OECT channel geometry has an unprecedented role on how the ions are distributed within the OMIEC. Finally, we observe that electronic charge carriers are first be injected and drift in the OMIEC, before ions can drift from the electrolyte into the OMIEC. Overall, the diverse charge transport phenomena identified here are essential for understanding the complexities of integrating novel OMIECs into traditional device structures, providing the key information needed to realize their promising application potential.