Wide-Band-Gap Semiconductors for Biointegrated Electronics: Recent Advances and Future Directions
File version
Accepted Manuscript (AM)
Author(s)
Nguyen, Nhat-Khuong
Nguyen, Thanh
Nguyen, Tuan-Khoa
Yadav, Sharda
Dinh, Toan
Masud, Mostafa Kamal
Singha, Pradip
Do, Thanh Nho
Barton, Matthew J
Ta, Hang Thu
Kashaninejad, Navid
Ooi, Chin Hong
Nguyen, Nam-Trung
Phan, Hoang-Phuong
Griffith University Author(s)
Year published
2021
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Wearable and implantable bioelectronics have experienced remarkable progress over the last decades. Bioelectronic devices provide seamless integration between electronics and biological tissue, offering unique functions for healthcare applications such as real-time and online monitoring and stimulation. Organic semiconductors and silicon-based flexible electronics have been dominantly used as materials for wearable and implantable devices. However, inherent drawbacks such as low electronic mobility, particularly in organic materials, instability, and narrow band gaps mainly limit their full potential for optogenetics and ...
View more >Wearable and implantable bioelectronics have experienced remarkable progress over the last decades. Bioelectronic devices provide seamless integration between electronics and biological tissue, offering unique functions for healthcare applications such as real-time and online monitoring and stimulation. Organic semiconductors and silicon-based flexible electronics have been dominantly used as materials for wearable and implantable devices. However, inherent drawbacks such as low electronic mobility, particularly in organic materials, instability, and narrow band gaps mainly limit their full potential for optogenetics and implantable applications. In this context, wide-band-gap (WBG) materials with excellent electrical and mechanical properties have emerged as promising candidates for flexible electronics. With a significant piezoelectric effect, direct band gap and optical transparency, and chemical inertness, these materials are expected to have practical applications in many sectors such as energy harvesting, optoelectronics, or electronic devices, where lasting and stable operation is highly desired. Recent advances in micro/nanomachining processes and synthesis methods for WBG materials led to their possible use in soft electronics. Considering the importance of WBG materials in this fast-growing field, the present paper provides a comprehensive Review on the most common WBG materials, including zinc oxide (ZnO) for II-VI compounds, gallium nitride (GaN) for III-V compounds, and silicon carbide (SiC) for IV-IV compounds. We first discuss the fundamental physical and chemical characteristics of these materials and their advantages for biosensing applications. We then summarize the fabrication techniques of wide-band-gap semiconductors, including how these materials can be transferred from rigid to stretchable and flexible substrates. Next, we provide a snapshot of the recent development of flexible WBG materials-based wearable and implantable devices. Finally, we conclude with perspectives on future research direction.
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View more >Wearable and implantable bioelectronics have experienced remarkable progress over the last decades. Bioelectronic devices provide seamless integration between electronics and biological tissue, offering unique functions for healthcare applications such as real-time and online monitoring and stimulation. Organic semiconductors and silicon-based flexible electronics have been dominantly used as materials for wearable and implantable devices. However, inherent drawbacks such as low electronic mobility, particularly in organic materials, instability, and narrow band gaps mainly limit their full potential for optogenetics and implantable applications. In this context, wide-band-gap (WBG) materials with excellent electrical and mechanical properties have emerged as promising candidates for flexible electronics. With a significant piezoelectric effect, direct band gap and optical transparency, and chemical inertness, these materials are expected to have practical applications in many sectors such as energy harvesting, optoelectronics, or electronic devices, where lasting and stable operation is highly desired. Recent advances in micro/nanomachining processes and synthesis methods for WBG materials led to their possible use in soft electronics. Considering the importance of WBG materials in this fast-growing field, the present paper provides a comprehensive Review on the most common WBG materials, including zinc oxide (ZnO) for II-VI compounds, gallium nitride (GaN) for III-V compounds, and silicon carbide (SiC) for IV-IV compounds. We first discuss the fundamental physical and chemical characteristics of these materials and their advantages for biosensing applications. We then summarize the fabrication techniques of wide-band-gap semiconductors, including how these materials can be transferred from rigid to stretchable and flexible substrates. Next, we provide a snapshot of the recent development of flexible WBG materials-based wearable and implantable devices. Finally, we conclude with perspectives on future research direction.
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Journal Title
ACS Applied Electronic Materials
Volume
3
Issue
5
Copyright Statement
This document is the Accepted Manuscript version of a Published Work that appeared in final form in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, © 2021 American Chemical Society after peer review and technical editing by the publisher. To access the final edited and published work see https://doi.org/10.1021/acsaelm.0c01122
Subject
Nanotechnology
Electronics, sensors and digital hardware
Science & Technology
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Engineering