Influence of a stacked-CuPc layer on the performance of organic light-emitting diodes

Vacuum deposited copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) was placed as a thin interlayer between indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode and a hole transporting layer (HTL) in a multi-layered, organic, light-emitting diode (OLEDs). The well-stacked CuPc layer increased the stability and efficiency of the devices. Thermal annealing after CuPc deposition and magnetic field treatment during CuPc deposition were performed to obtain a stacked-CuPc layer; the former increased the stacking density of the CuPc molecules and the alignment of the CuPc film. Thermal annealing at about 100°C increased the current flow through the CuPc layer by over 25%. Surface roughness decreased from 4.12 to 3.65 nm and spikes were lowered at the film surface as well. However, magnetic field treatment during deposition was less effective than thermal treatment. Eventually, a higher luminescence at a given voltage was obtained when a thermally-annealed CuPc layer was placed in the present, multi-layered, ITO/CuPc/NPD/Alq3/LiF/Al devices. Thermal annealing at about 100°C for 3 h produced the most efficient, multi-layered EL devices in the present study.