电极材料对NPB/Alq3有机电致发光器件性能的影响

采用不同材料作为有机电致发光器件(OELDs)的电极, 制备了基本结构为[阳极/NPB(40 nm)]/Alq3(50 nm)/阴极]的异质结双层器件, 并通过改变OELDs器件的阴极或阳极来研究电极材料对器件光电性能的影响. 研究结果表明, 各器件电流-电压(I-V)关系的基本特征与陷阱电荷限制电流(TCLC)机制的拟合情况相符. 由于有机材料本身能级的无序性以及载流子迁移率对温度和电场的依赖性, 不同电极的载流子注入能力与其功函数并无直接关系. 双层器件中由于空穴传输层的引入, 使得载流子复合区域位于有机层异质结界面处, 降低了金属阴极对激子的猝灭作用, 从而大大提高了器件性能. 此外, 金属电极OLEDs器件结构具有的微腔效应会导致发射光谱的位移和谱峰宽度变窄, 这表明通过对金属电极的表面改性和优化可使器件性能超过常规结构的器件.     

Hopping charge transport in organic materials

General properties of the transport of charge carriers (electrons and holes) in disordered organic materials are discussed. It was demonstrated that the dominant part of the total energetic disorder in organic material is usually provided by the electrostatic disorder, generated by randomly located and oriented dipoles and quadrupoles. For this reason this disorder is strongly spatially correlated. Spatial correlation directly governs the field dependence of the carrier drift mobility. Shape of the current transients, which is of primary importance for a correct determination of the carrier mobility, is considered. A notable feature of the electro-static disorder is its modification in the vicinity of the electrode, and this modification takes place without modification of the structure of the material. It is shown how this phenomenon affects characteristics of the charge injection. We consider also effect of inter-charge interaction on charge transport.     

Low molecular weight and polymeric heterocyclics as electron transport/hole-blocking materials in organic light-emitting diodes

The use of low molecular weight, oligomeric and polymeric heterocyclics as electron transport/hole-blocking layers in organic light-emitting diodes is reviewed. The most widely applied materials are π-electron deficient heterocyclics carrying imine nitrogen atoms in the aromatic ring, such as 1,3,4-oxadiazoles, 1,2,4-triazoles, 1,3,5-triazines, and 1,4-quinoxalines. Properties such as redox potentials, ionization potential, electron affinity and charge transport mobility of the materials, if known, are taken into consideration to support the electron injection/transport and hole-blocking effectiveness. It can be generalized that heterocyclic moieties with high reduction potential reduce the interface barriers caused by the band offset between organic material and cathode and are most suitable materials for electron injection in organic electroluminescent devices. These materials are generally characterized by high ionization potential values that contribute towards the hole-blocking property. A general comparison of devices and materials is only possible with limitations owing to the variations in device structure, fabrication, electrode materials, emitter materials, etc. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

High performance organic thin film transistors with solution processed TTF-TCNQ charge transfer salt as electrodes

Fabrication of high-performance organic thin film transistors (OTFTs) with solution processed organic charge transfer complex (TTF-TCNQ) film as bottom contact source-drain electrodes is reported. A novel capillary based method was used to deposit the source-drain electrodes from solution and to create the channel between the electrodes. Both p- and n-type OTFTs have been fabricated with solution deposited organic charge transfer film as contact electrodes. Comparison of the device performances between OTFTs with TTF-TCNQ as source-drain electrodes and those with Au electrodes (both top and bottom contact) indicate that better results have been obtained in organic complex film contacted OTFT. The high mobility, low threshold voltage, and efficient carrier injection in both types of OTFTs implies the potential use of the TTF-TCNQ based complex material as low-cost contact electrodes. The lower work function of the TTF-TCNQ electrode and better contact of the complex film with the organic thin film owing to the organic-organic interface results in efficient charge transfer into the semiconductor yielding high device performance. The present method having organic metal as contact materials promises great potential for the fabrication of all-organics and plastic electronics devices with high throughput and low-cost processing.     

Surface state engineering of molecule-molecule interactions

Engineering the electronic structure of organics through interface manipulation, particularly the interface dipole and the barriers to charge carrier injection, is of essential importance to improve organic devices. This requires the meticulous fabrication of desired organic structures by precisely controlling the interactions between molecules. The well-known principles of organic coordination chemistry cannot be applied without proper consideration of extra molecular hybridization, charge transfer and dipole formation at the interfaces. Here we identify the interplay between energy level alignment, charge transfer, surface dipole and charge pillow effect and show how these effects collectively determine the net force between adsorbed porphyrin 2H-TPP on Cu(111). We show that the forces between supported porphyrins can be altered by controlling the amount of charge transferred across the interface accurately through the relative alignment of molecular electronic levels with respect to the Shockley surface state of the metal substrate, and hence govern the self-assembly of the molecules.     

Master equation approach to charge injection and transport in organic insulators

We develop a master equation model of a disordered organic insulator sandwiched between metallic electrodes by treating as rate processes both the injection and the internal transport. We show how the master equation model allows for the inclusion of crucial correlation effects in the charge transport, particularly of the Pauli exclusion principle and of space-charge effects, besides, being dependent on just the microscopic form of the transfer rate between the localized electronic states, it allows for the investigation of different microscopic scenarios in the organic, such as polaronic hopping, correlated energy levels, interaction with image charge, etc. The model allows for a separate analysis of the injection and the recombination currents. We find that the disorder, besides increasing the injection current, eliminates the possibility of observation of a Fowler-Nordheim injection current at zero temperature, and that it does not alter the Schottky barrier size of the zero-field thermionic injection current from the value based on the energy difference between the electrode Fermi level and the highest occupied molecular orbital/lowest unoccupied molecular orbital levels in the organic, but it makes the Arrhenius temperature dependence appear at larger temperatures. We investigate how the I(V) characteristics of a device is affected by the presence of correlations in the site energy distribution and by the form of the internal hopping rate, specifically the Miller-Abrahams rate and the Marcus or small-polaron rate. We show that the disorder does not modify significantly the ebeta square root E field dependence of the net current due to the Schottky barrier lowering caused by the attraction between the charge and its image in the electrode.     

Interface Fermi level pinning at contacts between PEDOT: PSS and molecular organic semiconductors.

Photoemission studies of interfaces between molecular organic semiconductors and the conducting polymer PEDOT:PSS [mixture of PEDOT (poly-3,4-ethylenedioxy-thiophene) and PSS (polystyrenesulfonate)] demonstrate that it is impossible to control the charge injection barriers at such contacts by either a systematic change of the work function of the conducting polymer or that of the organic semiconductor. Instead, these interfaces are, in all cases, characterized by a charge transfer across the interface and a resulting Fermi level pinning. Thus interfacial charge barriers do not explain observed changes in device parameters as a function of the work function of the polymer electrode.     

Modulation of molecular conductance induced by electrode atomic species and interface geometry

We present a systematic theoretical investigation of the interaction of an organic molecule with gold and palladium electrodes. We show that the chemical nature of the electrode elicits significant geometrical changes in the molecule. These changes, which are characteristic of the electrode atomic species and the interface geometry, are shown to occur at distances as great as 10 Angstrom from the interface, leading to a significant modification of the inherent electronic properties of the molecule. In certain interface geometries, the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) of the palladium-contacted molecule exhibits enhanced charge delocalization at the center of the molecule, compared to gold. Also, the energy gap between the conductance peak of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) and the Fermi level is smaller for the case of the palladium electrode, thereby giving rise to a higher current level at a given bias than the gold-contacted molecule. These results indicate that an optimal choice of the atomic species and contact geometry could lead to significantly enhanced conductance of molecular devices and could serve as a viable alternative to molecular derivatization.     

Charge injection across self-assembly monolayers in organic field-effect transistors: odd-even effects

We investigate the role of self-assembly monolayers in modulating the response of organic field-effect transistors. Alkanethiol monolayers of chain length n are self-assembled on the source and drain electrodes of pentacene field-effect transistors. The charge carrier mobility mu exhibits large fluctuations correlated with odd-even n. For n < 8, mu increases by 1 order of magnitude owing to the decrease of the hole injection barrier and the improved molecular order at the organic-metallic interface. For n > or = 8, mu decays exponentially with an inverse decay length beta = 0.6 A(-1). Our results show that (i) charge injection across the interface occurs by through-bond tunneling of holes mediated by the alkanethiol layer; (ii) in the long-chain regime, the charge injection across the alkanethiol monolayer completely governs the transistor response; (iii) the transistor is a sensitive gauge for probing charge transport across single monolayers. The odd-even effect is ascribed to the anisotropic coupling between the alkanethiol terminal sigma bond and the HOMO level of ordered pentacene molecules.     

Gate Tunable Organic Light Emitting Diodes: Principles and Prospects

This record summarizes our recent developments on gate‐tunable organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs). The key point is to modulate the charge carrier injection barrier by the applied gate potential. One way is to electrochemically dope charge carrier injection layer through porous electrodes. The electrochemically doped charge carrier layer thus form gate‐tunable contact with porous electrodes. Another way is to modulate the work‐function of electrodes that can have varied charge carrier injection barriers following the applied gate potential. Gate‐tunable OLEDs based on these two working principles have been fabricated, characterized and demonstrated for displaying simple digitals and letters. New materials including dielectric, porous electrodes, work function tunable electrodes, and charge carrier injection materials have been further explored for performance improvement.     

C_(60)与MoO_3混合材料做空穴注入层的单层有机电致发光器件

我们制备研究了基于结构为氧化铟锡(ITO)/C_(60)(1.2nm):MoO_3(0.4nm)/1,3,5-三(1-苯基-1H-苯并咪唑-2-基)苯(TPBi):三(2-苯基吡啶)铱[Ir(ppy)_3](33%,90 nm)/LiF (0.7 nm)/Al (120 nm)的高效绿色磷光单层有机发光二极管(OLED)。分别将C_(60),MoO_3与C_(60):MoO_3混合物作为空穴注入层(HIL)作为对比。TPBi在发光层中起着主体以及电子传输材料的双重作用。在使用电子传输型主体的单层OLED中,空穴注入层性质对于调节电子/空穴注入以获得电荷载流子传输平衡起重要作用。因此,适当调节空穴注入层是实现高效单层OLED的关键因素。由于MoO_3较大的电子亲和能(6.37 eV)会诱导电子从C_(60)的最高占据分子轨道(HOMO)能级转移至MoO_3,从而形成C_(60)阳离子,并使得Mo元素的价态从+6降至+5,C_(60):MoO_3混合就可以较好的调节空穴注入性质。最终实现最大电流效率为35.88 cd·A~(-1)的单层有机发光器件。     

Interfacial polarization phenomena in organic molecular films

Electrostatic phenomena occurring at the interface between metal/organic and organic/organic materials are discussed from the viewpoint of dielectrics physics. Focusing on two important origins of surface polarization phenomena, orientational ordering of polar molecules and displacement of excess charges at the interface, surface polarization phenomena of organic thin films are discussed. To define the orientational order of polar molecules, orientational order parameters are introduced, and surface polarization due to the alignment of dipoles is expressed. The generation of Maxwell displacement current (MDC) and optical second harmonic generation (SHG) that are specific for surface organic monomolecular films are discussed, and some experimental evidence are shown. As an extension of the concept of surface Fermi level introduced to discuss the electrostatic phenomena due to electron transfer at the interface between metal-organic insulators, the surface Fermi level is extended to the discussion on the electrostatic phenomena of organic semiconductor materials on metals. In this paper, some experimental evidence of surface polarization originating from polar molecules and displacement of excess charges are shown. After that, with consideration of these surface phenomena, single electron tunneling of organic films are briefly discussed in association with surface polarization phenomena.     

How To Make Ohmic Contacts to Organic Semiconductors

The process of charge injection plays an important role in organic semiconductor devices. We review various experimental techniques that allow injection to be separated from other competing processes, and quantify the injection efficiency of a contact. We discuss the dependence of the injection efficiency on parameters such as the energy barrier at the interface, the carrier mobility of the organic semiconductor, its carrier density (doping level), the presence of mobile ions, and the sample geometry. Based on these findings, we outline guidelines for forming ohmic contacts and present examples of contact engineering in organic semiconductor devices.     

Dynamic theory of the alternating current response of semiconductor electrodes under illumination

A photoinduced admittance enhancement has been observed on n-GaAs and n-GaP electrodes in the potential range between flatband and stationary photocurrent onset. In order to provide a theoretical evaluation, the alternating current response of a semiconductor electrode under illumination has been investigated on the basis of non-equilibrium treatment of the carrier balance in the semiconductor and of the interfacial charge transfer kinetics. Superposition of an irreversible stationary and small-amplitude periodic rate has been treated for the following cases of charge transfer at the interface: (a) one-step electrochemical process; (b) two-step electrochemical process including an adsorbed intermediate and partial charge transfers; (c) parallel couple of one-step electrochemical and partial charge transfer chemisorption process. Empirical criteria for preference of charge transfer over surface recombination have been considered. In connection with the present development, the general equivalent circuit of a semiconductor electrode has been briefly derived from the dynamical charge balance. The theoretical approach of the stationary photocurrent-voltage curve has been discussed and refined.     

Mesoporous oxide junctions and nanostructured solar cells

Mesoporous films of wide-band gap semiconductor oxides are an important new class of electronic materials. They are constituted by a network of nanocrystalline particles of oxides, such as titania, niobia or zinc oxide, sintered together to allow for charge carrier transport to take place. The pores between the nanoparticles are filled with an electrolyte or a solid state organic hole conductor forming an interpenetrating heterojunction of very large contact area. These junctions exhibit extraordinary opto-electronic properties due to their large surface area to volume ratio leading to applications in different domains, such as photovoltaics, intercalation batteries, electrochromic and electroluminescent displays, photocatalysis and chemical sensors. Of particular interest are dye-sensitized heterojunctions, where photo-induced charge separation occurs at the interface between the mesoporous oxide and the hole conductor or the electrolyte. Photovoltaic cells based on this concept form a viable alternative to conventional silicon cells. Solar to electric power conversion efficiencies exceeding 10% have been reached with mesoporous titania films derivatized with molecular charge transfer sensitizers and used in conjunction with organic iodide/triiodide-based redox electrolytes. Long-term accelerated light-soaking tests have shown the system to be intrinsically stable. This article summarized recent developments in this field including a discussion of solid state dye-sensitized heterojunctions employing spirobifluorene-connected arylamines as hole transport materials.     

Charge Carrier Transport in Disordered Organic Matrices

Various aspects of charge carrier transport in solid disordered matrices are considered. It is shown that the field dependence of mobility is defined by correlation properties of the material, specifically, by the law of spatial decay of the correlation function energy–energy. The well known Poole–Frenkel dependence of mobility is observed in polar materials and is connected with an exceedingly slow decay of the correlation function in dipole glass. The true behavior of mobility in nonpolar materials differs from the Poole–Frenkel dependence but is barely distinguishable from it in a narrow range of fields studied experimentally. The charge transport in media with short-range and charged traps is considered. It is shown that the electrode roughness affects not only the efficiency of injection of charge carriers but their transport characteristics as well.     

Switching between Local and Global Aromaticity in a Conjugated Macrocycle for High‐Performance Organic Sodium‐Ion Battery Anodes

Aromatic organic compounds can be used as electrode materials in rechargeable batteries and are expected to advance the development of both anode and cathode materials for sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs). However, most aromatic organic compounds assessed as anode materials in SIBs to date exhibit significant degradation issues under fast‐charge/discharge conditions and unsatisfying long‐term cycling performance. Now, a molecular design concept is presented for improving the stability of organic compounds for battery electrodes. The molecular design of the investigated compound, [2.2.2.2]paracyclophane‐1,9,17,25‐tetraene (PCT), can stabilize the neutral state by local aromaticity and the doubly reduced state by global aromaticity, resulting in an anode material with extraordinarily stable cycling performance and outstanding performance under fast‐charge/discharge conditions, demonstrating an exciting new path for the development of electrode materials for SIBs and other types of batteries.     

Building blocks for n-type molecular and polymeric electronics. Perfluoroalkyl- versus alkyl-functionalized oligothiophenes (nT; n = 2-6). Systematics of thin film microstructure, semiconductor performance, and modeling of majority charge injection in field-effect transistors

The solid-state properties and FET electrical behavior of several series of alpha,omega- and beta,beta'-fluorocarbon- and alkyl-substituted and unsubstituted oligothiophenes nTs (n = 2-6) are compared and contrasted. The thin films were grown by slow vacuum deposition over a range of substrate temperatures and/or by casting from solution and were investigated by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Our results indicate that vacuum deposition at 60-80 degrees C affords films with remarkably similar microstructures despite the extensive H --> F substitution. Trends in observed d spacing versus molecular core extension provide quantitative information on molecular orientation. Field-effect transistor measurements performed for all systems and having the same device structure, components, and fabrication conditions demonstrate that all nTs functionalized with fluorocarbon chains at the thiophene termini are n-type semiconductors, in contrast to the p-type activity of the remaining systems. One of these systems, alpha,omega-diperfluorohexyl-4T, exhibits a mobility of 0.22 cm2/(V s) and an Ion:Ioff ratio of 10(6), one of the highest so far reported for an n-type organic semiconductor. The effect of substitution regiochemistry on FET majority charge carrier was additionally studied, in the case of a 6T core, by shifting the fluorocarbon substituents from the terminal to the central thiophene units. Finally, we propose a simple theoretical model for electrode/organic interfacial carrier injection. The results suggest why modest substituent-induced changes in the injection barrier can produce working n-type materials.     

Electrochemical methods for analysing and controlling charge transfer at the electrode–tissue interface

There have been rapid advances in the development of new materials for use in electrode–tissue interfacing. The development of conducting polymers, conducting hydrogels, carbon nanotubes, graphene and other conducting materials has provided a rich landscape for controlling charge transfer at the electrode–tissue interface and hence to monitor and manipulate cell behaviour. These materials have been used in tissue-engineered constructs to direct and control cell proliferation, growth and differentiation. However, their translation to clinical devices has been less successful. In this review, the use of electroanalytical techniques to develop an understanding of charge transfer at the electrode–tissue interface is discussed. In particular, the impact of solution and electrode conditions on charge injection capacity is demonstrated. The importance of standardised testing methods and the correlation of electrochemical and electrophysiological performance show the limitations of empirical studies and help define key electrode properties for clinical devices. The development of a sound theoretical basis for charge transfer at this increasingly important interface is being advocated to improve clinical outcomes and device lifetime and reduce power usage.