One-step additive crosslinking of conjugated polyelectrolyte interlayers: improved lifetime and performance of solution-processed OLEDs

Abstract

We crosslink an amino-functionalized polyfluorene by the solvent additive 1,8-diiodooctane (DIO). DIO remains in the film after drying of the main solvent and chemically binds to the amino-side groups after a low temperature annealing step, rendering the polyfluorene film insoluble in non-polar solvents. We correlate the amount of DIO, the reduction of operational voltage and increase in lifetime of solution-processed OLEDs. We demonstrate a fully solution-processed device using the crosslinked polyfluorene electron injection layer and an inkjet-printed Ag top electrode.