Electroluminescence and impedance analyses of organic light emitting diodes using anhydride materials as cathode interfacial layers

Pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA) and trimellitic anhydride (TMA) were tried as cathode interfacial layers between tris-(8-hydroxyquinoline) aluminum (Alq3) and Al in organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). Both ultra-thin anhydride cathode interfacial layers improved the electroluminescence characteristics of OLEDs compared to those without any interfacial layer, and the PMDA interfacial layer showed the most significant enhancement of the device performance. According to impedance measurements and equivalent circuit analysis, the PMDA interfacial layer decreased the impedance, probably due to the increase in the injection efficiency of electrons from the Al cathode.