Graphene-Based Intrinsically Stretchable 2D-Contact Electrodes for Highly Efficient Organic Light-Emitting Diodes

Intrinsically stretchable organic light-emitting diodes (ISOLEDs) are becoming essential components of wearable electronics. However, the efficiencies of ISOLEDs have been highly inferior compared with their rigid counterparts, which is due to the lack of ideal stretchable electrode materials that can overcome the poor charge injection at 1D metallic nanowire/organic interfaces. Herein, highly efficient ISOLEDs that use graphene-based 2D-contact stretchable electrodes (TCSEs) that incorporate a graphene layer on top of embedded metallic nanowires are demonstrated. The graphene layer modifies the work function, promotes charge spreading, and impedes inward diffusion of oxygen and moisture. The work function (WF) of 3.57 eV is achieved by forming a strong interfacial dipole after deposition of a newly designed conjugated polyelectrolyte with crown ether and anionic sulfonate groups on TCSE; this is the lowest value ever reported among ISOLEDs, which overcomes the existing problem of very poor electron injection in ISOLEDs. Subsequent pressure-controlled lamination yields a highly efficient fluorescent ISOLED with an unprecedently high current efficiency of 20.3 cd A(-1), which even exceeds that of an otherwise-identical rigid counterpart. Lastly, a 3 inch five-by-five passive matrix ISOLED is demonstrated using convex stretching. This work can provide a rational protocol for designing intrinsically stretchable high-efficiency optoelectronic devices with favorable interfacial electronic structures.

Automated summary

This study demonstrates highly efficient intrinsically stretchable organic light-emitting diodes (ISOLEDs) using graphene-based 2D-contact stretchable electrodes. The incorporation of a graphene layer on top of embedded metallic nanowires modifies the work function, promotes charge spreading, and impedes inward diffusion of oxygen and moisture, leading to improved efficiencies of ISOLEDs. A newly designed conjugated polyelectrolyte is used to achieve the lowest reported work function value among ISOLEDs. Pressure-controlled lamination is employed to produce highly efficient fluorescent ISOLEDs. A large-size ISOLED with convex stretching is also demonstrated.