Gas Sensors Based on Organic Field-effect Transistors: Mechanisms, Advances, and Challenges

doi:10.1007/s40242-025-5227-1

Abstract

Abstract: The growing demand for high-performance gas sensors in applications, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), smart healthcare, and environmental monitoring has highlighted the limitations of conventional technologies, including high operating temperatures, rigidity, and limited selectivity. Organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) have emerged as a promising platform for next-generation gas sensing, offering intrinsic flexibility, room-temperature operation, solution processability, and multi-parameter response capabilities. This review systematically outlines the working mechanisms and performance metrics of OFET-based gas sensors, with a focus on recent advances in material design and interface engineering aimed at enhancing sensing performance. Key strategies discussed include the development of ultrathin, porous, and blended organic semiconductor films, as well as the functionalization of the critical semiconductor/dielectric interface. The applications of OFET sensors in detecting both reducing and oxidizing gases are comprehensively summarized. Finally, current challenges and future research directions are presented to guide the development of high-performance, practical OFET gas sensors for use in flexible and wearable electronics.

Key words: Organic field-effect transistor (OFET), Gas sensor, Reducing gas, Oxidizing gas, Electronics

WANG Weiyu, NIU Jingyu, ZHANG Xiaoying, YANG Huiqi, WANG Wenjun, YANG Hui, YE Xin. Gas Sensors Based on Organic Field-effect Transistors: Mechanisms, Advances, and Challenges[J]. Chemical Research in Chinese Universities, 2025, 41(6): 1421-1446.

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