Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Improvement of the electrical characteristics of polymer electroluminescent structures by using spray-coating technology

  • Published:
Journal of Coatings Technology and Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In this article, polyphenylenevinylene derivative (poly(9,9-dihexyl-9H-fluorene-2,7-diyl-vinylene)) (PPV-D) thin films were deposited by spray deposition and spin-coating. Film morphology was investigated by scanning electron microscopy images and surface profile diagrams. The traps concentration depending on the deposition method was evaluated based on current–voltage characteristics of ITO/PPV-D/Al structures measured at different temperatures. Brightness–voltage characteristics of the structures containing spray deposited and spin-coated PPV-D films with the same thickness were measured. The film surface at spray deposition tends to be uniform and smoother than the spin-coated one. The structure with sprayed polymer layer showed higher maximal trap factor (0.94 × 10−3 vs 0.83 × 10−3 for spin-coating), which is evidence for less defects in the bulk and presence of more free carriers, contributing to the conduction and the radiative recombination. Twice-higher luminance and 1.4 V lower turn-on voltage were achieved, using spray deposition in comparison with the spin-coating technique. The spray technique for polymer deposition is a very powerful tool for the preparation of cost effective organic-based devices with improved electrical characteristics and efficiency.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Peisert, H, Knupfer, M, Schwieger, T, Fuentes, G, Olligs, D, Fink, J, Schmidt, Th, “Fluorination of Copper Phthalocyanines: Electronic Structure and Interface Properties.” J. Appl. Phys., 93 (12) 9683–9692 (2003)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Burrows, PE, Forrest, SR, Thompson, ME, “Light Emitting Devices Using Vacuum Deposited Organic Thin Films.” Thin Solid Films, 331 (1–2) 101–105 (1997)

    Google Scholar 

  3. Scott, JC, Kaufmann, JH, Brock, PJ, Di Pietro, R, Salem, J, Goitia, JA, “Degradation and Failure of MEH-PPV Light-Emitting Diodes.” J. Appl. Phys., 79 (5) 2745–2751 (1996)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Brutting, W, “Influence of Trapped and Interfacial Charges in Organic Multilayer Light-Emitting Devices.” J. Appl. Phys., 89 (3) 1704–1712 (2001)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Schemchel, R, Seggern, HV, “Electronic Traps in Organic Transport Layers.” Phys. Status Solidi A, 6 1215–1235 (2004)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Bharathan, J, Yang, Y, “Polymer Electroluminescent Devices Processed by Inkjet Printing.” Appl. Phys. Lett., 72 (21) 2660–2662 (1998)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Shaheen, SE, Radspinner, R, Peyghambarian, N, Jabbour, GE, “Performance of Bulk Heterojunction Photovoltaic Devices Prepared by Airbrush Spray Deposition.” Appl. Phys. Lett., 92 (3) 2996–2998 (2008)

    Google Scholar 

  8. Makarewicz, E, “The Electrophoretic Deposition of Polyvinyl Chloride Organosol from Organic Medium.” Colloid Polym. Sci., 267 (9) 798–802 (2005)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Norrman, K, Ghanbari-Siahkali, A, Larsen, NB, “Studies of Spin-Coated Polymer Films.” Annu. Rep. Prog. Chem., 101C 174–201 (2005)

    Google Scholar 

  10. Perednis, D, Gauckler, LJ, “Thin Film Deposition Using Spray Pyrolysis.” J. Electroceram., 14 103–111 (2005)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Hiie, J, Dedova, T, Valdna, V, Muska, K, “Comparative Study of Nano-Structured CdS Thin Films Prepared by CBD and Spray Pyrolysis: Annealing Effect.” Thin Solid Films, 511–512 443–447 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Gasparro, G, Puetz, J, “Liquid Film Spray Deposition of Transparent Conducting Oxide Coatings.” Thin Solid Films, 442 (1–2) 40–43 (2003)

    Google Scholar 

  13. Honga, K, Yanga, SY, Yanga, C, Kima, SH, Choia, D, Park, CE, “Reducing the Contact Resistance in Organic Thin-Film Transistors by Introducing a PEDOT:PSS Hole-Injection Layer.” Org. Electron., 9 (5) 864–868 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Vak, D, Kim, S, Jo, J, Oh, S, Na, S, Kim, J, Kima, D, “Fabrication of Organic Bulk Heterojunction Solar Cells by a Spray Deposition Method for Low-Cost Power Generation.” Appl. Phys. Lett., 91 081102-1–081102-3 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Moiz, S, Ahmed, M, Karimov, KhS, “Estimation of Electrical Parameters of OD Organic Semiconductor Diode from Measured I–V Characteristics.” ETRI J., 27 (3) 319–325 (2005)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Djobo, SO, Bernède, JC, Napo, K, Guellil, Y, “PVK-Based Organic Light-Emitting Diodes with Low Turn-On Voltage.” Mater. Chem. Phys., 77 476–483 (2002)

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This study was supported by Projects 091pd008-03/2009 and D002-358/2008.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Microelectronics, Technical University of Sofia, Room No. 1000, Kl. Ohridski Blvd. 8, Bl. 1, 1000, Sofia, Bulgaria

    Mariya Petrova Aleksandrova

Authors
  1. Mariya Petrova Aleksandrova
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mariya Petrova Aleksandrova.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Aleksandrova, M.P. Improvement of the electrical characteristics of polymer electroluminescent structures by using spray-coating technology. J Coat Technol Res 9, 157–161 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11998-009-9220-2

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11998-009-9220-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation