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Performance Enhancement by ZnO Nanoparticle Layer in Hybrid Ionic Transition Metal Complex‐Light‐Emitting Electrochemical Cells (iTMC‐LECs)
Author(s) -
Marcantonio Miriam Di,
Gellner Sandra,
Namanga Jude Eko,
Frohleiks Julia,
Gerlitzki Niels,
Vollkommer Frank,
Bacher Gerd,
Nannen Ekaterina
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
advanced materials technologies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.184
H-Index - 42
ISSN - 2365-709X
DOI - 10.1002/admt.201600215
Subject(s) - materials science , nanoparticle , layer (electronics) , ionic bonding , electrochemistry , optoelectronics , transition metal , nanotechnology , metal , chemistry , ion , electrode , metallurgy , organic chemistry , biochemistry , catalysis
Light‐emitting electrochemical cells (LECs) are solution processable solid‐state light sources comprising in their simplest architecture an ionic emissive layer in between of two electrodes. Although LECs possess several advantages that make them promising candidates for future large‐area low‐cost lighting technologies, their device wall‐plug efficacies remain so far moderate on the order of a few lumens per watt. One of the reasons therefore is considered to be the charge imbalance within the device. Here, a hybrid LEC device concept is introduced, whereby an additional layer of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles at the cathode side supports electron injection into the active light‐emitting layer and boosts the performance of the Ir‐based ionic transition metal complex LEC (iTMC‐LEC). The brightness and efficacy of the devices can be increased in average by more than 70% by the implementation of the additional inorganic layer. The time to reach the maximum brightness can be reduced in average by a factor of 7, which is attributed to an improved electron/hole balance in the device due to enhanced electron injection into the active iTMC layer.