Photopatternable and Highly Conductive PEDOT:PSS Electrodes for Flexible Perovskite Light-Emitting Diodes

Flexible perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs) constitute an emerging technology opening new opportunities in the fields of lighting and display for portable and wearable electronics. Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly-(stryrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) as one of the most promising flexible electrode materials has attracted extensive attention. However, the patterning and conductivity issues of PEDOT:PSS electrodes should be addressed primarily. Here, a photopolymer-izable additive is proposed to endow the PEDOT:PSS electrodes with photopatternability. Moreover, this additive can also improve the conductivity of the PEDOT:PSS electrode from 0.16 to 627 S/cm because of the phase separation between PEDOT and PSS components and conformation transition of PEDOT chains. Eventually, highly conductive PEDOT:PSS electrodes with various patterns are applied in flexible PeLEDs, demonstrating a high luminance of 25972 cd/m2 and a current efficiency of 25.1 cd/A. This work provides a facile and effective method of patterning and improving the conductivity of PEDOT:PSS electrodes simultaneously, demonstrating the great potential of PEDOT:PSS electrodes in flexible perovskite optoelectronics.

Automated summary

A photopolymerizable additive is proposed to improve the photopatternability and conductivity of PEDOT:PSS electrodes. The treated PEDOT:PSS electrodes exhibit excellent conductivity and brightness in flexible PeLEDs. This study provides a facile and effective method for patterning and improving the conductivity of PEDOT:PSS electrodes, demonstrating their great potential in flexible perovskite optoelectronics.