A Cost-Effective Strategy to Modify the Electrical Properties of PEDOT:PSS via Femtosecond Laser Irradiation

Abstract

Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) is a commonly used conductive polymer in organic optoelectronic devices. The conductivity and work function of the PEDOT:PSS are two important parameters that significantly determine the performance of the associated optoelectronic device. Traditionally, some solvents were doped in PEDOT:PSS solution or soaked in PEDOT:PSS film to improve its electrical conductivity, but they damaged the integrity of PEDOT:PSS and reduce the film’s work function. Herein, for the first time, we use femtosecond laser irradiation to modify the electrical conductivity and work function of PEDOT:PSS film. We proposed that the femtosecond laser irradiation could selectively remove the superficial insulative PSS, thereby improving the electrical conductivity of the film. The femtosecond laser-irradiated PEDOT:PSS film was further employed as a hole injection layer within cutting-edge perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs). A maximum luminosity of 950 cd/m2 was obtained in PeLEDs irradiated by femtosecond laser light in thin films, which is five times higher than that of the controlled device. Moreover, the external quantum efficiency of the devices was also increased from 4.6% to 6.3%. This work paved a cost-effective way to regulate the electrical properties of the PEDOT:PSS film.