Photoelectric Properties of OLEDs With and Without Fluorinated Self-Assembled Monolayer and by Varying Thickness of α-NPD

In this study, we investigated the photoelectric effect and optimization of an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) depending on the presence or absence of a fluorinated self-assembled monolayer (FLSAM) and by varying the thickness of N,N'-Di (1-naphthyl)-N,N'-diphenyl-(1,1'-biphenyl)-4,4'-diamine (α-NPD) from 0 nm to 50 nm. The large distinction in electronegativity between the carbon and the fluorine replacing hydrogen in the alkyl chain of FLSAM generates a strong dipole moment to elevate the vacuum level, resulting in a change of the work function. This eliminates the injection barrier between the work function of the ITO modified by FLSAM and the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) level of the hole-transport layer, thus leading to excellent driving voltage characteristics. Devices without FLSAM had a driving voltage more than twice that of devices using with FLSAM. The introduction of α-NPD as the hole-transport layer enhanced the electrical conductivity by facilitating the transport of holes. However, due to the inherent insulating film properties of α-NPD, the increase in its thickness resulted in a decrease in current density.