Novel light-emitting devices based on pyridine-containing conjugated polymers

Abstract

We present novel light-emitting devices based on several pyridine-containing conjugated polymers and copolymers in various device configurations. The high electron affinity of pyridine-based polymers improves stability and electron transport properties of the polymers and enables the use of relatively stable metals such as Al as electron injecting contacts. Bilayer devices utilizing poly(9-vinyl carbazole) (PVK) as a hole-transporting/electron-blocking polymer show dramatically improved efficiency and brightness as compared to single layer devices. This is attributed to charge confinement and exciplex emission at the PVK/emitting polymer interface. The incorporation of conducting polyaniline network electrode into PVK reduces the device turn-on voltage significantly while maintaining the high efficiency. Two novel device configurations that enable the use of high work function metals as electrodes are pointed out.