Efficient Flexible Fabric‐Based Top‐Emitting Polymer Light‐Emitting Devices for Wearable Electronics

Abstract

AbstractLow‐cost fabric‐based top‐emitting polymer light‐emitting devices (Fa‐TPLEDs) have aroused increasing attention due to their remarkable potential applications in wearable displays. However, it is still challenging to realize efficient all‐solution‐processed devices from bottom electrodes to top electrodes with large‐scale fabrication. Here, a smooth reflective Ag cathode integrated on fabric by one‐step silver mirror reaction and a composite transparent anode of polydimethylsiloxane/silver nanowires/poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) via a water‐assisted peeling method are presented, both of which possess excellent optoelectrical properties and robust mechanical flexibility. The Fa‐TPLEDs are constructed by spin‐coating functional layers on the bottom reflective cathodes and laminating the top transparent anodes. The Fa‐TPLEDs show a current efficiency of 16.3 cd A−1, an external quantum efficiency of 4.9% and angle‐independent electroluminescence spectra. In addition, the Fa‐TPLEDs possess excellent mechanical stability, maintaining a current efficiency of 14.3 cd A−1 after 200 bending cycles at a radius of 4 mm. The results demonstrate that the integration of solution‐processed reflective cathodes and transparent anodes sheds light on a new avenue to construct low‐cost and efficient fabric‐based devices, showing great potential applications in emerging smart flexible/wearable electronics.