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The performance of both organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) and organic solar cells (OSC) depends on efficient coupling between optical far field modes and the emitting/absorbing region of the device. Current approaches towards OLEDs with efficient light-extraction often are limited to single-color emission or require expensive, non-standard substrates or top-down structuring, which reduces compatibility with large-area light sources. Here, we report on integrating solution-processed nano-particle based light-scattering films close to the active region of organic semiconductor devices. In OLEDs, these films efficiently extract light that would otherwise remain trapped in the device. Without additional external outcoupling structures, translucent white OLEDs containing these scattering films achieve luminous efficacies of 46 lm W-1 and external quantum efficiencies of 33% (both at 1000 cd m-2). These are by far the highest numbers ever reported for translucent white OLEDs and the best values in the open literature for any white device on a conventional substrate. By applying additional light-extraction structures, 62 lm W-1 and 46% EQE are reached. Besides universally enhancing light-extraction in various OLED configurations, including flexible, translucent, single-color, and white OLEDs, the nano-particle scattering film boosts the short-circuit current density in translucent organic solar cells by up to 70%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Micro-structured organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices on polyethylene terephthalate substrates are produced using direct laser interference patterning (DLIP). The performance of organic solar cells on these substrates is improved by a factor of 1.16, and a power conversion efficiency of 7.70% is achieved. We show that a shorter spatial period of the pattern allows for a stronger light trapping effect in solar cell, as it leads to a longer light path. Moreover, since the patterned structures are located on the outside of the fully encapsulated OPV devices, there are no problems with the roughness induced shunts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(Received 2 March 2016; accepted 15 June 2016; published online 24 June 2016) The performance of organic optoelectronic devices can be improved by employing a suitable optical cavity design beyond the standard plane layer approach, e.g., by the inclusion of periodically or randomly textured structures which increase light incoupling or extraction. One of the simplest approaches is to add an additional layer containing light scattering particles into the device stack. Solution processed poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) thin films are promising for replacing the brittle and expensive indium tin oxide transparent electrode. We use a blend of 100 nm TiO2 scattering particles in PEDOT:PSS solution to fabricate transparent electrode films which also functions as a scattering layer. When utilized in an organic photovoltaic device, a power conversion efficiency of 7.92% is achieved, which is an 8.6% relative improvement compared to a device with a neat PEDOT:PSS electrode without the nanoparticles. This improvement is caused by an increase in short-circuit current due to an improved photon harvesting in the 320 nm-700 nm spectral wavelength range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We measure basic network parameters of silver nanowire (AgNW) networks commonly used as transparent conducting electrodes in organic optoelectronic devices. By means of four point probing with nanoprobes, the wire-to-wire junction resistance and the resistance of single nanowires are measured. The resistance RNW of a single nanowire shows a value of RNW = (4.9±60.18)Ω/µm. The junction resistance RJ differs for annealed and non-annealed NW networks, exhibiting values of RJ = (25.2±1.9)Ω (annealed) and RJ = (529±239)Ω (non-annealed), respectively. Our simulation achieves a good agreement between the measured network parameters and the sheet resistance RS of the entire network. Extrapolating RJ to zero, our study show that we are close to the electrical limit of the conductivity of our AgNW system: We obtain a possible RS reduction by only ≈20% (common RS 10Ω/sq). Therefore, we expect further performance improvements in AgNW systems mainly by increasing NW length or by utilizing novel network geometries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diffusion barrier stacks for the encapsulation of organic electronics made from inorganic nanolaminates of Al2O3 and TiO2 with aluminum alkoxide interlayers have been deposited by atomic layer deposition (ALD) and molecular layer deposition (MLD). As a part of the MLD process development, the deposition of aluminum alkoxide with low a density of about 1.7 g/cm³ was verified. The ALD/MLD diffusion barrier stack is meant to be deposited either on a polymer film, creating a flexible barrier substrate, or on top of a device on glass, creating a thin-film encapsulation. In order to measure the water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) through the barrier, the device is replaced by a calcium layer acting as a water sensor in an electrical calcium test. For the barrier stack applied as thin-film encapsulation on glass substrates, high resolution scanning electron microscopy investigations indicate that the inorganic nanolaminates without MLD interlayers are brittle as they crack easily upon the stress induced by the corroding calcium below. The introduction of up to three MLD interlayers of 12 nm each into the 48 nm barrier film laminate successfully mitigates stress issues and prevents the barrier from cracking. Using the three MLD interlayer configurations on glass, WVTRs of as low as 10-5 g/m²/d are measured at 38 °C and 32% relative humidity. On polymer barrier substrates, the calcium is evaporated onto the barrier stack and encapsulated with a cavity glass. In this configuration, the corroding calcium has space for expansion and gas release without affecting the underlying barrier film. In consequence, a WVTR of about 3 × 10-3 g/m²/d is measured for all samples independently of the number of MLD interlayers. In conclusion, a stabilization and preservation of the ALD barrier film against mechanical stress is achieved by the introduction of MLD interlayers into the inorganic nanolaminate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The importance of O3 pulse duration for encapsulation of organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) with ultra thin inorganic atomic layer deposited Al2O3 layers is demonstrated for deposition temperatures of 50 °C. X-ray reflectivity (XRR) measurements show that O3 pulse durations longer than 15 s produce dense and thin Al2O3 layers. Correspondingly, black spot growth is not observed in OLEDs encapsulated with such layers during 91 days of aging under ambient conditions. This implies that XRR can be used as a tool for process optimization of OLED encapsulation layers leading to devices with long lifetimes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on efficient and stable ITO-free small molecule organic solar cells with conductive poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) electrodes using a post-treatment process, causing selective removal of PSS. The solar cells with post-treated PEDOT:PSS electrodes show significantly improved short circuit current densities and efficiencies compared to untreated devices. Moreover, the removal of PSS by the post-treatment significantly improves the lifetime of devices, which are more resistant to loss of fill factor compared to untreated devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]