Lifetime of organic light emitting diodes on polymer anodes

We report on the use of a thin layer of poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) as anode for bottom emission organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). The combination of polymer anodes with OLEDs having either electrically doped or undoped hole transport layers in direct contact with the polymer is shown. We discuss the impact of the annealing conditions of the polymer on the OLED lifetime in comparison to indium tin oxide anodes. Supported by a differential thermal analysis of PEDOT: PSS, a strong influence of residual water in the polymer on the device lifetime is found. Additional heating of the polymer anode in a dry ambient prior to OLED deposition is necessary to achieve high device lifetimes. At a luminance of 260 cd/m(2), pin-OLEDs on a PEDOT:PSS anode show no measurable device degradation during 5200 h of operation. (c) 2008 American Institute of Physics.