Effect of a weak ion beam treatment of emission layer on the top emission polymer light-emitting diode

This study examined the influence of a weakly treated emission layer on ion beam processing for the performance of top emission polymer light-emitting diodes with an invert structure (top ITO as the anode). The emission layer used in this experiment was a polymer type SY, Livilux PDY-132 provided by Merck & Co. The surface of the emission layer was modified by a low energy ion beam treatment to obtain hydrophilic functional groups and improve the wettability. As a hole transfer layer, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS, CLEVIOS AI 4083, Heraeus) was spin-coated on the ion beam treated emission layer and showed good adhesion properties. Consequently, through such an ion beam treatment that promotes the interface properties of these two layers, a uniform light emitting area was obtained and the light intensity in a top emission polymer light-emitting diode was improved.