Solution processed blue light emitting electrochemical cells fabricated and encapsulated fully in ambient environment

Light emitting devices such as OLECs are one form of electronic device that can be integrated into garments to realise light emitting textiles. In the development of wearable electrical devices, conductive organic materials such as conducting polymers, with the ability to emit light in almost all colours of the spectrum, could substitute expensive and complex in synthesis inorganic materials or metals. In this paper, we report the solution processed fabrication method of OLECs on ITO coated glass substrates using commercially available blue emitter (Merck NCMP) as the active layer. The fabrication and encapsulation process were done fully in the ambient environment for the first time. The optical and electrical performance of the blue emitting LECs have been demonstrated in operation in ambient environment. An encapsulation process was used to protect the glass based OLECs from oxygen and moisture, and to increase the stability and lifetime of the device performance as well as protecting against external physical damage. The devices show the brightness level of 472 cd/m(2) and the driven voltage of 6 V with bright light emission.

Automated summary

The development of light emitting textiles using OLECs and conductive organic materials has shown promising results in terms of brightness, color emission, and operational stability. The solution processed fabrication method on ITO coated glass substrates with commercially available blue emitter has enabled the operation of blue emitting LECs in ambient environment for the first time. Encapsulation process is utilized to protect the glass based OLECs from oxygen and moisture, enhancing device performance stability and lifetime.