opportunities for polymeric materials in organic electronic technologies

The new electronic technology based on organic materials has a potential to make flexible devices on plastic substrate using a low cost roll-to-roll manufacturing technique. The feasibility of this technology has been widely demonstrated. However, as all new technologies, it faces some big technical challenges for commercialization. We will review, by focusing more specifically on the different requirements that must have the polymeric substrate. The polymeric flexible substrate must present some very high level of requirements that enable it to replace the currently used glass. We will review the various aspects and specifications of the polymeric films and in particular those related to their optical properties, surface appearance, dimensional stability, heat and solvent resistance as well as the requirements in terms of barrier properties to water vapor and oxygen.