Enhanced luminescence efficiency of Ag nanoparticles dispersed on indium tin oxide for polymer light-emitting diodes

Sy-Hann Chen,Chia-Feng Lin,Chang-Feng Yu,Yi-Ru Li,Po-Ching Kao

doi:10.1364/oe.21.026236

Abstract

This study presents a substantial enhancement in electroluminescence achieved by depositing Ag nanoparticles on an ITO-coated glass substrate (Ag/ITO) for approximately 10-s to form novel window materials for use in polymer light-emitting diodes (PLEDs). The PLEDs discussed herein are single-layer devices based on a poly[9,9-dioctylfluorene-co-benzothiadiazole] (F8BT) emissive layer. In addition to its low cost, this novel fabrication method can effectively increase the charge transport properties of the active layer to meet the high performance requirements of PLEDs. Due to the increased conductivity and work function of the Ag/ITO substrate, the electroluminescence intensity was increased by nearly 3.3-fold compared with that of the same PLED with a bare ITO substrate.

Highlights

Polymer light-emitting diodes (PLEDs) that are based on conjugated polymers have attracted a lot of attention in recent years because of their extreme thinness, high peak brightness, high dark room contrast, lower power consumption, superviewing ability, and fast response time for use in low-cost optoelectronic devices
To investigate variations in the composition of Ag/indium tin oxide (ITO) substrate prepared at different Ag deposition process times, we perform elemental analyses of Ag/ITO surfaces using XPS
The calculated concentrations for the Ag/ITO samples deposited at Ag deposition process times of 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 s are 15.1%, 31.4%, 47.8%, 54.3%, and 61.9%, respectively

Summary

Introduction

Polymer light-emitting diodes (PLEDs) that are based on conjugated polymers have attracted a lot of attention in recent years because of their extreme thinness, high peak brightness, high dark room contrast, lower power consumption, superviewing ability, and fast response time for use in low-cost optoelectronic devices. To investigate variations in the composition of Ag/ITO substrate prepared at different Ag deposition process times, we perform elemental analyses of Ag/ITO surfaces using XPS.

Results

Conclusion