9-13 July 2012
Africa/Johannesburg timezone
<a href="http://events.saip.org.za/internalPage.py?pageId=11&confId=14"><font color=#ff0000>SAIP2012 PROCEEDINGS AVAILABLE</font></a>

The effect of nano-sized Alq3 on the external quantum and power efficiency of OLEDs

11 Jul 2012, 08:20
20m
Oral Presentation Track A - Division for Condensed Matter Physics and Materials DCMPM2

Speaker

Ms Mart-Mari Duvenhage (University of the Free State)

Abstract content <br> &nbsp; (Max 300 words)

Since its first report in 1987 by Tang and Van Slyke, tris-(8-hydroxy-quinoline) aluminium (Alq3) has been used in organic light emitting devices (OLEDs) both as a green light emitting material and as an electron transporting layer (ETL). OLEDs consist of an electroluminescent (EL) medium of thin layers (<0.2 µm) sandwiched between two electrodes. Some organic layers transport holes and others electrons. When a potential difference is applied between the anode and the cathode the holes and electrons will migrate towards the opposite charged electrode. Holes and electrons then transfer to the emitting material forming tightly bound excitons which emit photons upon relaxation. These photons are then capable of escaping from the device architecture through the transparent anode and out the glass substrate.

In this study, we have synthesized nano-sized Alq3 for use in fabricating OLEDs by thermal evaporation. The average particle size of Alq3 calculated, from the X-ray diffraction (XRD) data, using the Scherrer's equation was 40 ± 5 nm. In devices, Alq3 was used as both the ETL and emitting layer (EML), while commercial N,N'-di(naphthalen-1-yl)-N,N'-diphenyl-benzidine (NBP) was used as the hole transporting layer (HTL). Both layers were 50 nm thick. Indium tin oxide (ITO) coated onto a glass substrate was used as the anode, while the cathode consisted of Al:Cs2CO3. Devices fabricated using Alq3 prepared in this study were compared with those fabricated using commercial Alq3 from Luminescence Technology Corp. The electroluminescent spectra of the two devices show nearly identical behavior, confirming successful synthesis of the Alq3. Furthermore, the current-voltage-luminance characteristics were measured and the external quantum and power efficiencies of the two devices were compared. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and a 10kV C60 ion gun was used to do depth profiles on the samples to confirm the layer thickness and composition at the layer’s interfaces.

Main supervisor (name and email)<br>and his / her institution

Prof HC Swart, swarthc@ufs.ac.za, University of the Free State

Level for award<br>&nbsp;(Hons, MSc, <br> &nbsp; PhD)?

PhD

Would you like to <br> submit a short paper <br> for the Conference <br> Proceedings (Yes / No)?

Yes

Apply to be<br> consider for a student <br> &nbsp; award (Yes / No)?

Yes

Primary author

Ms Mart-Mari Duvenhage (University of the Free State)

Co-authors

Prof. Hendrik Swart (University of the Free State) Prof. Martin Ntwaeaborwa (University of the Free State)

Presentation Materials

Peer reviewing

Paper