Conjugated Polyelectrolytes as Efficient Hole Transport Layers in Perovskite Light-Emitting Diodes

ACS Nano. 2018 Jun 26;12(6):5826-5833. doi: 10.1021/acsnano.8b01715. Epub 2018 May 29.

Abstract

Perovskite-based optoelectronic devices have been rapidly developing in the past 5 years. Since the first report, the external quantum efficiency (EQE) of perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs) has increased rapidly through the control of morphology and structure from 0.1% to more than 11%. Here, we report the use of various conjugated polyelectrolytes (CPEs) as the hole injection layer in PeLEDs. In particular, we find that poly[2,6-(4,4-bis-potassium butanylsulfonate)-4 H-cyclopenta-[2,1- b;3,4- b']-dithiophene)] (PCPDT-K) transfers holes effectively, blocks electron transport from the perovskite to the underlying ITO layer, and reduces luminescence quenching at the perovskite/PCPDT-K interface. Our optimized PeLEDs with PCPDT-K show enhanced EQE by a factor of approximately 4 compared to control PeLEDs with PEDOT:PSS, reaching EQE values of 5.66%, and exhibit improved device stability.

Keywords: LEDs; PEDOT:PSS; conjugated polyelectrolytes (CPEs); electroluminescence; hole transport layer (HTL); lead halide perovskites; perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs).