Highly efficient bipolar connecting layers for tandem organic light-emitting devices

A highly efficient tandem organic light-emitting device (OLED) has been fabricated by using an effective bipolar connecting layer structure. The connecting layers were made up of a layer of magnesium (Mg): 2,7-dipyrenyl-9,9-diphenyl fluorene (N-DPF) and a layer of tungsten trioxide (WO₃). Such a connecting layer structure permits efficient opposite holes and electrons flowing into two adjacent emitting units. The current efficiency of the two-unit tandem device can be dramatically enhanced by more than four times compared with that of the conventional single-unit device. At 60 mA/cm², the current efficiency of the tandem OLED using the connecting layers of Mg: N-DPF/WO₃ was about 8.15 cd/A. The results can be marked as a breakthrough approach to improve the current efficiency and brightness of OLEDs. Furthermore, a model of the carrier tunneling into light-emitting units is proposed based on carrier balance and field-assisted tunneling. It indicates that the connecting layer structure functions as the origin of high efficiency for the tandem OLEDs.