Investigation of DNA nucleobases-thin films for potential application in electronics and photonics

Abstract

In previous research we have demonstrated improvements in device performance with the incorporation of a deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)-based biopolymer into organic light emitting diodes, organic thin film transistors and other organic photonic and electronic devices. Here, we investigate nucleobases, nitrogen-containing biological compounds found within DNA, ribonucleic acid (RNA), nucleotides and nucleosides, for use in a few of those previously investigated photonic and electronic devices. Used as an electron blocking layer in OLEDs, a gate insulator for grapheme transistors and as a dielectric in organic-based capacitors, we have produced comparable results to those using DNA-based biopolymers.