Preparation and characterization of nanostructured thin films applicable in polymer light emitting devices

Abstract

This work deals with a composite material based on polymer/inorganic nanoparticles applicable in organic electronics as an active layer. Prepared composite, containing conjugated polymer MEH-PPV as a matrix and ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) as filler, was characterized using spectroscopic and microscopic methods and it was used for preparation of polymer light emitting diodes. Creation of polymer/inorganic nanocomposite by incorporation of ZnO NPs in polymer matrix leads to better injection of negative charge carriers from cathode into active layer material and thus the achieved electroluminescence of prepared device has much higher intensity (in several orders) in comparison to devices with active layer from neat polymer. Moreover, excellent distribution and dispersion of NPs in polymer improve the homogeneity of radiation from whole device area. In our contribution, we introduce method how to easily improve performance of polymer light emitting diodes by preparation of nanocomposite based on ZnO nanoparticles incorporated into the conjugated polymer.