Ambipolar Charge Injection and Bright Light Emission in Hybrid Oxide/Polymer Transistors Doped with Poly(9-Vinylcarbazole) Based Polyelectrolytes

Abstract

Light-emitting transistors (LETs) are a remarkable, emerging class of electronic devices that combine the switching function of field-effect transistors (FETs) and the light-emitting function of light-emitting diodes (LEDs). In order to achieve efficient light emission, effective electron and hole injection from source and drain electrodes is necessary. Various strategies have been introduced to accomplish this, such as incorporating asymmetric electrodes or charge injection layers during device fabrication. These approaches have inevitably introduced complexity in the device fabrication process. Herein, light-emitting electrochemical transistors (LECTs) are demonstrated that combine principles of electrochemistry and optoelectronics to achieve multi-functionality in a simple device architecture. Hybrid polyelectrolytes, poly(9-vinylcarbazolesulfonate)- lithium and copper (II) salts (PVK-Li and PVK-Cu) incorporating Li⁺ ion and Cu²⁺ ions are added at variable concentrations to the organic emitting layer of LECTs to effect electrochemical p-type doping. This electrochemical doping approach yielded improvements in electrical and optical performances including mobilities, brightnesses, and external quantum efficiency of the LECTs. The dynamics of how charges including ions, electrons, and holes move and interact are discussed in the device to facilitate emissive charge carrier recombination and light emission. This investigation provides valuable insights into the realms of both electrochemistry and optoelectronics.