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Inverted device architecture for high efficiency single-layer organic light-emitting diodes with imbalanced charge transport

Author

Listed:
  • Xiao Tan

    (Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research)

  • Dehai Dou

    (Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research)

  • Lay-Lay Chua

    (National University of Singapore
    Department of Chemistry)

  • Rui-Qi Png

    (National University of Singapore)

  • Daniel G. Congrave

    (University of Cambridge)

  • Hugo Bronstein

    (University of Cambridge
    University of Cambridge)

  • Martin Baumgarten

    (Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research)

  • Yungui Li

    (Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research)

  • Paul W. M. Blom

    (Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research)

  • Gert-Jan A. H. Wetzelaer

    (Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research)

Abstract

Many wide-gap organic semiconductors exhibit imbalanced electron and hole transport, therefore efficient organic light-emitting diodes require a multilayer architecture of electron- and hole-transport materials to confine charge recombination to the emissive layer. Here, we show that even for emitters with imbalanced charge transport, it is possible to obtain highly efficient single-layer organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), without the need for additional charge-transport and blocking layers. For hole-dominated emitters, an inverted single-layer device architecture with ohmic bottom-electron and top-hole contacts moves the emission zone away from the metal top electrode, thereby more than doubling the optical outcoupling efficiency. Finally, a blue-emitting inverted single-layer OLED based on thermally activated delayed fluorescence is achieved, exhibiting a high external quantum efficiency of 19% with little roll-off at high brightness, demonstrating that balanced charge transport is not a prerequisite for highly efficient single-layer OLEDs.

Suggested Citation

  • Xiao Tan & Dehai Dou & Lay-Lay Chua & Rui-Qi Png & Daniel G. Congrave & Hugo Bronstein & Martin Baumgarten & Yungui Li & Paul W. M. Blom & Gert-Jan A. H. Wetzelaer, 2024. "Inverted device architecture for high efficiency single-layer organic light-emitting diodes with imbalanced charge transport," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-7, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-48553-1
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48553-1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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