Synthesis and improved luminescence properties of OLED/ZnO hybrid materials

Organic light-emitting diode-zinc oxide (OLED–ZnO) hybrid nanomaterials are successfully prepared by the incorporation of ZnO (a few weight percent) under simple and mild reaction conditions. Three different types of organic light-emitting materials, Fluorescein, Tris(8-hydroxyquinoline) aluminum, and poly(fluoresceinyl terephthalyl benzoate-co-bisphenol A terephthalate) are chosen to prepare the ZnO-incorporated hybrid nanomaterials. Sub-micron to nano-sized OLED–ZnO hybrid materials are synthesized with a distinct morphological feature compared to pure counterparts. ZnO incorporation in the OLED–ZnO hybrids is identified using X-ray diffraction (XRD). The resulting hybrid materials show significant improvement in their photoluminescence intensity, along with a blue shift. The blue shift in photoluminescence emission is attributed to the quantum confinement effect of the incorporated ZnO nanomaterials. The reasons for the improved optical luminescence of OLED–ZnO hybrids are discussed in detail.

► OLED–ZnO hybrids were synthesized under a mild reaction condition.
► Distinct shapes of OLED–ZnO hybrids were obtained.
► The significant improvements in optical luminescence were observed.