Zhaoqun Zhou

Combinatorial study of exciplex formation at the interface between two wide band gap organic semiconductors

Combinatorial screening of exciplex formation in blends of 4,4′,4″-tris[2-naphthyl (phenyl)-amino] triphenylamine (2-TNATA), and 2,2′,7,7′-tetrakis(2,2′-diphenylvinyl) spiro-9,9′-bifluorene (spiro-DPVBi) is described. The blended layer was incorporated in ITO/[2-TNATA]/[1:1 2-TNATA:spiro-DPVBi]/[N,N′ - diphenyl - N,N′ - bis (1-naphthylphenyl) - 1,1′ - bi-phenyl - 4,4′-diamine (NPB)]/[spiro-DPVBi]/[tris(8-hydroxy quinoline) Al]/CsF∕Al organic light-emitting devices; the thickness of the blend and NPB layers were varied systematically. The electroluminescence quantum yield decreased as the blended layer thickness increased. The NPB spacer layer reduced the exciplex formation; an 8-nm-thick layer completely suppressed it.

Spectrally narrowed edge emission from organic light-emitting diodes

p-Conjugated materials, including small molecules and polymers, are attracting substantial attention as novel gain media in semiconductor lasers; they offer many potential advantages not achievable with conventional inorganic semiconductors: simple processing, low cost, easy tuneability of the spectrum, and large-area integration on flexible substrates. Optically pumped lasing action in various small molecular and polymeric p-conjugated materials has been demonstrated using several resonator configurations. However, electrically pumped organic semiconductor lasers, i.e., organic injection or diode lasers, remain elusive, presumably due to various loss mechanisms, e.g., charge (polaron)-induced absorption and metal electrode absorption. Here we report on evidence for amplified spontaneous emission (ASE), also known as mirrorless lasing (i.e., wherein some of the spontaneously emitted photons are amplified by stimulated emission during their propagation) in DC-driven small molecular organic light-emitting diodes (SMOLEDs). The evidence includes a dramatic spectral line narrowing, with a full width at half maximum (FWHM) of only 5 - 10 nm, and optical gain, of the edge-emission from SMOLEDs at room temperature. However, there is no clear indication of threshold behavior associated with this spectral narrowing. Nevertheless, this discovery should pave the way towards the realization of an organic diode laser.

Structurally integrated organic light-emitting device (OLED)-based multianalyte sensing through analyte-oxidase interactions

The development of a compact structurally integrated platform for detection of multianalytes that consume oxygen in the presence of specific oxidase enzymes is described. The detection is based on monitoring the photoluminescence (PL) intensity or lifetime of a sensing element based on the oxygen sensitive dye Pt octaethyl porphyrin (PtOEP). The excitation source for the PL is an array of individually addressable green OLED pixels. The analytes are gas- phase and dissolved oxygen, glucose, lactate, and alcohol. The sensing element for each analyte includes a layer of PtOEP-doped polystyrene, whose PL lifetime decreases with increasing O2 level, and a film or solution containing the oxidase enzyme specific to the analyte. Each sensing element is associated with two addressable ~2x2 mm2 OLED pixels. The operation and performance metrics of the sensor under various conditions are described and discussed.

Structurally integrated organic light-emitting device (OLED)-based sensors for industrial and environmental security: sensors for hydrazine and anthrax

The application of the new compact platform of structurally integrated, photoluminescent (bio)chemical sensors, where the photoluminescence (PL) excitation source is an OLED, to the detection of hydrazine and anthrax, is described. The hydrazine sensor is based on the reaction between nonluminescent anthracene-2,3-dicarboxaldehyde and hydrazine or hydrazine sulfate, which generates a luminescent product. The anthrax sensor is based on a Foerster resonance energy transfer (FRET) assay, where the anthrax-secreted lethal factor enzyme cleaves certain labeled peptides at a specific site. The cleaving separates the FRET donor-acceptor pair, resulting in an increase in the PL of the donor, which was previously absorbed by the acceptor.

Narrowed Edge Emission spectra from Leaky Modes of Multi-Layer Dielectric Waveguides

We present spectrally narrowed edge emission from multi-layer waveguides in organic light-emitting diodes (OLED). For TE modes, narrowed spectral peaks with only 4 to 10 nm of full width at half maximum (FWHM) are obtained. We explain the narrowing nature using leaky waveguide modes.

Recent developments in OLED-based chemical and biological sensors

Recent developments in the structurally integrated OLED-based platform of luminescent chemical and biological sensors are reviewed. In this platform, an array of OLED pixels, which is structurally integrated with the sensing elements, is used as the photoluminescence (PL) excitation source. The structural integration is achieved by fabricating the OLED array and the sensing element on opposite sides of a common glass substrate or on two glass substrates that are attached back-to-back. As it does not require optical fibers, lens, or mirrors, it results in a uniquely simple, low-cost, and potentially rugged geometry. The recent developments on this platform include the following: (1) Enhancing the performance of gas-phase and dissolved oxygen sensors. This is achieved by (a) incorporating high-dielectric TiO2 nanoparticles in the oxygen-sensitive Pt and Pd octaethylporphyrin (PtOEP and PdOEP, respectively)- doped polystyrene (PS) sensor films, and (b) embedding the oxygen-sensitive dyes in a matrix of polymer blends such as PS:polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). (2) Developing sensor arrays for simultaneous detection of multiple serum analytes, including oxygen, glucose, lactate, and alcohol. The sensing element for each analyte consists of a PtOEP-doped PS oxygen sensor, and a solution containing the oxidase enzyme specific to the analyte. Each sensing element is coupled to two individually addressable OLED pixels and a Si photodiode photodetector (PD). (3) Enhancing the integration of the platform, whereby a PD array is also structurally integrated with the OLED array and sensing elements. This enhanced integration is achieved by fabricating an array of amorphous or nanocrystalline Si-based PDs, followed by fabrication of the OLED pixels in the gaps between these Si PDs.

OLED-based sensor array for simultaneous monitoring of multiple analytes

A compact, photoluminescence (PL)-based sensor array, utilizing tris(quinolinolate) Al OLED pixels as the excitation sources, for sequential or simultaneous monitoring of dissolved oxygen (DO), glucose, lactate, and alcohol, is described. The DO is monitored through its effect on the PL lifetime of the oxygen-sensitive dye Pt octaethylporphyrin (PtOEP) embedded in a polystyrene film. The other analytes are monitored through their oxidation, catalyzed by an appropriate oxidase, which reduces the amount of DO in their vicinity. The OLED pixels are fabricated on a glass substrate; each pixel is typically 2×2 mm2, with a 2 mm gap between the pixels. Two OLED pixels are associated with the detection of each of the analytes. The pixels are individually addressable, enabling consecutive detection of the different analytes within a few minutes utilizing a single photodetector (PD). Simultaneous detection is achieved by using an array of PDs. The OLED-based sensing array is compact and uniquely simple in its ease of fabrication and integration. Its performance attributes are comparable to those obtained for a single analyte using any excitation source. The potential of small-size, multi-color OLED pixel arrays for multianalyte detection is also discussed.