Efficient red electrophosphorescent top-emitting organic light-emitting devices

We have fabricated top-emitting red electrophosphorescent organic light-emitting devices with the 4,4'-N,N'-dicarbazole-biphenyl (CBP): bis[2-(2'-benzothienyl)-pyridinato-N,C-3']iridium(acetylacetonate) (BtpIr(acac)) as a emitting layer. Emission spectra show peaks in the red region at 620 and 670 nm due to phosphorescent guest, accompanied by a very weak peak at 450 nm due to host CBP. Electrical characteristics indicate low turn-on voltage and good electrophosphorescence efficiency. The insertion of an Alq(3) electron injection layer between the emitting layer and cathode significantly improves the device properties. Transient luminescence excitation has been employed to study the emission mechanism in the host-guest system. Delay, rise and decay times of the devices decrease with the applied voltage amplitude. The efficiency of electron injection and the nature of the sites where triplet exciton form strongly influence the emission and electrical properties of top-emitting phosphorescent devices. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.