Light-emitting diodes based on conjugated polymers
TL;DR: In this article, the authors demonstrate that poly(p-phenylene vinylene), prepared by way of a solution-processable precursor, can be used as the active element in a large-area light-emitting diode.
Abstract: CONJUGATED polymers are organic semiconductors, the semiconducting behaviour being associated with the π molecular orbitals delocalized along the polymer chain. Their main advantage over non-polymeric organic semiconductors is the possibility of processing the polymer to form useful and robust structures. The response of the system to electronic excitation is nonlinear—the injection of an electron and a hole on the conjugated chain can lead to a self-localized excited state which can then decay radiatively, suggesting the possibility of using these materials in electroluminescent devices. We demonstrate here that poly(p-phenylene vinylene), prepared by way of a solution-processable precursor, can be used as the active element in a large-area light-emitting diode. The combination of good structural properties of this polymer, its ease of fabrication, and light emission in the green–yellow part of the spectrum with reasonably high efficiency, suggest that the polymer can be used for the development of large-area light-emitting displays.
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TL;DR: In this article, a host material doped with the phosphorescent dye PtOEP (PtOEP II) was used to achieve high energy transfer from both singlet and triplet states.
Abstract: The efficiency of electroluminescent organic light-emitting devices1,2 can be improved by the introduction3 of a fluorescent dye. Energy transfer from the host to the dye occurs via excitons, but only the singlet spin states induce fluorescent emission; these represent a small fraction (about 25%) of the total excited-state population (the remainder are triplet states). Phosphorescent dyes, however, offer a means of achieving improved light-emission efficiencies, as emission may result from both singlet and triplet states. Here we report high-efficiency (≳90%) energy transfer from both singlet and triplet states, in a host material doped with the phosphorescent dye 2,3,7,8,12,13,17,18-octaethyl-21H,23H-porphine platinum(II) (PtOEP). Our doped electroluminescent devices generate saturated red emission with peak external and internal quantum efficiencies of 4% and 23%, respectively. The luminescent efficiencies attainable with phosphorescent dyes may lead to new applications for organic materials. Moreover, our work establishes the utility of PtOEP as a probe of triplet behaviour and energy transfer in organic solid-state systems.
7,023 citations
TL;DR: Graphene has high mobility and optical transparency, in addition to flexibility, robustness and environmental stability as discussed by the authors, and its true potential lies in photonics and optoelectronics, where the combination of its unique optical and electronic properties can be fully exploited, even in the absence of a bandgap, and the linear dispersion of the Dirac electrons enables ultrawideband tunability.
Abstract: The richness of optical and electronic properties of graphene attracts enormous interest. Graphene has high mobility and optical transparency, in addition to flexibility, robustness and environmental stability. So far, the main focus has been on fundamental physics and electronic devices. However, we believe its true potential lies in photonics and optoelectronics, where the combination of its unique optical and electronic properties can be fully exploited, even in the absence of a bandgap, and the linear dispersion of the Dirac electrons enables ultrawideband tunability. The rise of graphene in photonics and optoelectronics is shown by several recent results, ranging from solar cells and light-emitting devices to touch screens, photodetectors and ultrafast lasers. Here we review the state-of-the-art in this emerging field.
6,863 citations
TL;DR: Research in the use of organic polymers as active semiconductors in light-emitting diodes has advanced rapidly, and prototype devices now meet realistic specifications for applications.
Abstract: Research in the use of organic polymers as the active semiconductors in light-emitting diodes has advanced rapidly, and prototype devices now meet realistic specifications for applications. These achievements have provided insight into many aspects of the background science, from design and synthesis of materials, through materials fabrication issues, to the semiconductor physics of these polymers.
5,653 citations
TL;DR: The future holds even greater promise for this technology, with an entirely new generation of ultralow-cost, lightweight and even flexible electronic devices in the offing, which will perform functions traditionally accomplished using much more expensive components based on conventional semiconductor materials such as silicon.
Abstract: Organic electronics are beginning to make significant inroads into the commercial world, and if the field continues to progress at its current, rapid pace, electronics based on organic thin-film materials will soon become a mainstay of our technological existence. Already products based on active thin-film organic devices are in the market place, most notably the displays of several mobile electronic appliances. Yet the future holds even greater promise for this technology, with an entirely new generation of ultralow-cost, lightweight and even flexible electronic devices in the offing, which will perform functions traditionally accomplished using much more expensive components based on conventional semiconductor materials such as silicon.
4,967 citations
IBM1
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present new insight into conduction mechanisms and performance characteristics, as well as opportunities for modeling properties of organic thin-film transistors (OTFTs) and discuss progress in the growing field of n-type OTFTs.
Abstract: Organic thin-film transistors (OTFTs) have lived to see great improvements in recent years. This review presents new insight into conduction mechanisms and performance characteristics, as well as opportunities for modeling properties of OTFTs. The shifted focus in research from novel chemical structures to fabrication technologies that optimize morphology and structural order is underscored by chapters on vacuum-deposited and solution-processed organic semiconducting films. Finally, progress in the growing field of the n-type OTFTs is discussed in ample detail. The Figure, showing a pentacene film edge on SiO2, illustrates the morphology issue.
4,804 citations
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TL;DR: In this article, a double-layer structure of organic thin films was prepared by vapor deposition, and efficient injection of holes and electrons was provided from an indium-tinoxide anode and an alloyed Mg:Ag cathode.
Abstract: A novel electroluminescent device is constructed using organic materials as the emitting elements. The diode has a double‐layer structure of organic thin films, prepared by vapor deposition. Efficient injection of holes and electrons is provided from an indium‐tin‐oxide anode and an alloyed Mg:Ag cathode. Electron‐hole recombination and green electroluminescent emission are confined near the organic interface region. High external quantum efficiency (1% photon/electron), luminous efficiency (1.5 lm/W), and brightness (>1000 cd/m2) are achievable at a driving voltage below 10 V.
13,185 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a multilayer-doped EL was constructed using a hole-transport layer and a luminescent layer, and the electron-hole recombination and emission zones can be confined to about 50 A near the hole.
Abstract: Electroluminescent (EL)devices are constructed using multilayer organic thin films. The basic structure consists of a hole‐transport layer and a luminescent layer. The hole‐transport layer is an amorphous diamine film in which the only mobile carrier is the hole. The luminescent layer consists of a host material, 8‐hydroxyquinoline aluminum (Alq), which predominantly transports electrons. High radiance has been achieved at an operating voltage of less than 10 V. By doping the Alq layer with highly fluorescent molecules, the EL efficiency has been improved by about a factor of 2 in comparison with the undoped cell. Representative dopants are coumarins and DCMs. The ELquantum efficiency of the doped system is about 2.5%, photon/electron. The EL colors can be readily tuned from the blue‐green to orange‐red by a suitable choice of dopants as well as by changing the concentration of the dopant. In the doped system the electron‐hole recombination and emission zones can be confined to about 50 A near the hole‐transport interface. In the undoped Alq, the EL emission zone is considerably larger due to excitondiffusion. The multilayerdopedEL structure offers a simple means for the direct determination of excitondiffusion length.
3,009 citations
TL;DR: In this article, an organic electroluminescenters with multilayered thin-film structures which emitted bright blue light were constructed and two empirical guides for the selection of blue-emitting materials were established.
Abstract: Organic electroluminescent (EL) devices with multilayered thin‐film structures which emitted bright blue light were constructed. Two empirical guides for the selection of blue‐emitting materials were established. The keys to obtain the EL cells with high EL efficiency were excellent film‐forming capability of an emitter layer and the appropriate combinations of emitter and carrier transport materials for avoiding the formation of exciplexes. In one of our organic electroluminescent devices, blue emission with a luminance of 700 cd/m2 was achieved at a current density of 100 mA/cm2 and a dc drive voltage of 10 V.
691 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a thin-film electroluminescent device with a luminescent hole transport layer as an emitter was constructed, which achieved an emission intensity of 1000 cd/m2 at a current of 100 mA/cm2.
Abstract: We have succeeded in fabricating a novel thin‐film electroluminescent device with a luminescent hole transport layer as an emitter. The cell structure is composed of an indium‐tin‐oxide substrate, a luminescent hole transport layer (emitter), an electron transport layer, and a MgAg electrode. The most essential feature of our device owes for adoption of an oxadiazole derivative as an electron transport layer. The emission intensity of 1000 cd/m2 was achieved at a current of 100 mA/cm2.
627 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the optical absorption due to polarons in polyacetylene has been investigated and the existence of three separate absorption peaks in the gap with qualitatively different features has been established.
Abstract: We present a theoretical calculation, within a continuum electron-phonon-coupled model, of the optical absorption due to polarons in polyacetylene [${(\mathrm{CH})}_{x}$]. Our results can be applied to both trans- and cis-${(\mathrm{CH})}_{x}$, as well as potentially to other polymers (polypyroles, polyparaphenylenes) in which polarons are present. We establish that the essential signature of polaron absorption is the existence of three separate absorption peaks in the gap with qualitatively different features. For trans-${(\mathrm{CH})}_{x}$, we compare and contrast this structure with that from the kink solitons, which are expected to dominate the optical absorption at all but the lowest doping levels. For cis-${(\mathrm{CH})}_{x}$ and related polymers, we discuss polaron (and multipolaron) absorption and the relation of polarons to possible excitons in these materials. Finally, we evaluate briefly the existing experimental situation regarding optical absorption in polyacetylene and indicate possible future experiments that could confirm the existence of polarons in ${(\mathrm{CH})}_{x}$ and similar polymers.
452 citations