Intense-pulsed-light irradiation of Ag nanowire-based transparent electrodes for use in flexible organic light emitting diodes

• Published in: Organic electronics Vol. 17; pp. 208 - 215
• Main Authors: Song, Chang-Hyun, Ok, Ki-Hoon, Lee, Chan-Jae, Kim, Youngmin, Kwak, Min-Gi, Han, Chul Jong, Kim, Namsu, Ju, Byeong-Kwon, Kim, Jong-Woong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.02.2015
• Subjects: Ag nanowire; Flexible electrode; Intense pulsed light; Organic light emitting diode; Transparent electrode; Intense pulsed light; Ag nanowire; Flexible electrode; Organic light emitting diode; Transparent electrode
• ISSN: 1566-1199; 1878-5530
• DOI: 10.1016/j.orgel.2014.12.015

[Display omitted] •We analyzed the effects of intense pulsed light on Ag nanowire networks.•Conductivity, adhesion to substrate and bending reliability was improved.•Leakage current in organic light emitting diodes could be reduced by the treatment. Silver nanowire (AgNW) based transparent electrodes are inherently coarse and therefore typically are only ever weakly bonded to a substrate. A remarkable improvement in the characteristics of a AgNW network film has, however, been achieved through a simple and short process of irradiating it with intense pulsed light (IPL). This not only avoids any severe deterioration in the optical characteristics of the AgNW film, but also significantly improves its electrical conductivity, adhesion to a polymeric substrate, and ability to endure bending stress. Most important of all, however, is the finding that the surface roughness of AgNW networks can also be improved by radiation. In a series of measurements made of organic light emitting diodes fabricated using these treated electrodes, it was revealed that the leakage current can be notably reduced by IPL treatment.