Article abstract
Nature Materials 6, 894 - 899 (2007)
Published online: 30 September 2007 | doi:10.1038/nmat2021
Subject Categories: Polymers | Optical, photonic and optoelectronic materials | Computation, modelling and theory
Direct measurement of the electric-field distribution in a light-emitting electrochemical cell
Jason D. Slinker1,4, John A. DeFranco1,4, Michael J. Jaquith2,4, William R. Silveira2, Yu-Wu Zhong2, Jose M. Moran-Mirabal3, Harold G. Craighead3, Héctor D. Abruña2, John A. Marohn2 & George G. Malliaras1
Abstract
The interplay between ionic and electronic charge carriers in mixed conductors offers rich physics and unique device potential. In light-emitting electrochemical cells (LEECs), for example, the redistribution of ions assists the injection of electronic carriers and leads to efficient light emission. The mechanism of operation of LEECs has been controversial, as there is no consensus regarding the distribution of electric field in these devices. Here, we probe the operation of LEECs using electric force microscopy on planar devices. We show that obtaining the appropriate boundary conditions is essential for capturing the underlying device physics. A patterning scheme that avoids overlap between the mixed-conductor layer and the metal electrodes enabled the accurate in situ measurement of the electric-field distribution. The results show that accumulation and depletion of mobile ions near the electrodes create high interfacial electric fields that enhance the injection of electronic carriers.
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853-1501, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853-1301, USA
- School of Applied and Engineering Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14843-3501, USA
- These authors contributed equally to this work
Correspondence to: George G. Malliaras1 e-mail: ggm1@cornell.edu
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