1
|
Georgiopoulou Z, Verykios A, Ladomenou K, Maskanaki K, Chatzigiannakis G, Armadorou KK, Palilis LC, Chroneos A, Evangelou EK, Gardelis S, Yusoff ARBM, Coutsolelos AG, Aidinis K, Vasilopoulou M, Soultati A. Carbon Nanodots as Electron Transport Materials in Organic Light Emitting Diodes and Solar Cells. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 13:169. [PMID: 36616079 PMCID: PMC9823923 DOI: 10.3390/nano13010169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Charge injection and transport interlayers play a crucial role in many classes of optoelectronics, including organic and perovskite ones. Here, we demonstrate the beneficial role of carbon nanodots, both pristine and nitrogen-functionalized, as electron transport materials in organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) and organic solar cells (OSCs). Pristine (referred to as C-dots) and nitrogen-functionalized (referred to as NC-dots) carbon dots are systematically studied regarding their properties by using cyclic voltammetry, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) and UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy in order to reveal their energetic alignment and possible interaction with the organic semiconductor's emissive layer. Atomic force microscopy unravels the ultra-thin nature of the interlayers. They are next applied as interlayers between an Al metal cathode and a conventional green-yellow copolymer-in particular, (poly[(9,9-dioctylfluorenyl-2,7-diyl)-alt-co-(1,4-benzo-{2,1',3}-thiadiazole)], F8BT)-used as an emissive layer in fluorescent OLEDs. Electrical measurements indicate that both the C-dot- and NC-dot-based OLED devices present significant improvements in their current and luminescent characteristics, mainly due to a decrease in electron injection barrier. Both C-dots and NC-dots are also used as cathode interfacial layers in OSCs with an inverted architecture. An increase of nearly 10% in power conversion efficiency (PCE) for the devices using the C-dots and NC-dots compared to the reference one is achieved. The application of low-cost solution-processed materials in OLEDs and OSCs may contribute to their wide implementation in large-area applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zoi Georgiopoulou
- Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (INN), National Center for Scientific Research Demokritos, Agia Paraskevi, 15341 Athens, Greece
- Solid State Physics Section, Physics Department, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimioupolis, Zografos, 15784 Athens, Greece
| | - Apostolis Verykios
- Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (INN), National Center for Scientific Research Demokritos, Agia Paraskevi, 15341 Athens, Greece
| | - Kalliopi Ladomenou
- Department of Chemistry, International Hellenic University, 65404 Kavala, Greece
| | | | - Georgios Chatzigiannakis
- Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (INN), National Center for Scientific Research Demokritos, Agia Paraskevi, 15341 Athens, Greece
- Solid State Physics Section, Physics Department, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimioupolis, Zografos, 15784 Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantina-Kalliopi Armadorou
- Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (INN), National Center for Scientific Research Demokritos, Agia Paraskevi, 15341 Athens, Greece
| | | | - Alexander Chroneos
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Thessaly, 38221 Volos, Greece
- Department of Materials, Imperial College, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | | | - Spiros Gardelis
- Solid State Physics Section, Physics Department, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimioupolis, Zografos, 15784 Athens, Greece
| | - Abd. Rashid bin Mohd Yusoff
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang 37673, Gyeongbuk, Republic of Korea
| | - Athanassios G. Coutsolelos
- Laboratory of Bioinorganic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Crete, Voutes Campus, Heraklion, 71003 Crete, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Aidinis
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Ajman University, Ajman P.O. Box 346, United Arab Emirates
- Center of Medical and Bio-allied Health Sciences Research, Ajman P.O. Box 388, United Arab Emirates
| | - Maria Vasilopoulou
- Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (INN), National Center for Scientific Research Demokritos, Agia Paraskevi, 15341 Athens, Greece
| | - Anastasia Soultati
- Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (INN), National Center for Scientific Research Demokritos, Agia Paraskevi, 15341 Athens, Greece
| |
Collapse
|