Nanoscale ordered structure distribution in thin solid film of conjugated polymers: its significance in charge transport across the film and in performance of electroluminescent device.
We use ultrahigh-vacuum conducting atomic force microscopy to probe the local current distributions in spin-cast thin films from the solutions of poly(2-methoxy-5-(2'-ethylhexyloxy)-1,4-phenylenevinylene) (MEH-PPV) and poly(9,9-di-n-octyl-2,7-fluorene) (PFO). We found that spatially homogeneous distribution of the ordered structures (well-packed chains and/or aggregates) in MEH-PPV can be controlled by the selection of solvent or mixed solvent, by which effects of spatial charge transport distribution in MEH-PPV thin films on the performance of polymer light-emitting diodes (PLEDs) are unambiguously clarified. For PFO thin film, after the treatment by immersing in the mixed nonsolvent composed of a solvent and nonsolvent, the ordered structures (beta-phase) are generated; its excess content can result in highly conducting regions. However, the device efficiency can be promoted significantly by optimizing the content of beta-phase.
Chen
Ming-Chih
MC
Chemical Engineering Department, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, 30013 Taiwan, ROC.
Hung
Wei-Chun
WC
Su
An-Chung
AC
Chen
Su-Hua
SH
Chen
Show-An
SA