A PhD thesis was discussed at the Institute of Laser for Postgraduate Studies/University of Baghdad, submitted by the student Nawras Ali Salman, and entitled “Optical and Structural Characterization of PEDOT:PSS Based-Conductive Polymer Films Mixed with Plasmonic Nanoparticles Prepared by Laser Ablation in Liquid”. The thesis was supervised by Prof. Dr. Istabraq Talib Abdullah.
This study aims to improve the performance of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) by doping functional layers with monometallic nanoparticles (Au, Ag) and bimetallic core-shell nanoparticles (Au@Ag and Ag@Au), which were prepared in an aqueous medium using the pulsed laser ablation in liquids (PLAL) technique.
The study seeks to link the structural and optical properties of the nanoparticles to their impact on the electrical and optical properties of OLED devices, with an analysis of the effect of laser energy and pulse number on the size, distribution, and composition of the nanoparticles. Additionally, the study examines the impact of different concentrations of these nanoparticles when added to the hole transport layer (PEDOT:PSS) on device performance.
The research focuses on determining the role played by the nanoparticles in enhancing charge injection, improving radiative recombination, increasing emission intensity, and overall device efficiency. It also clarifies the physical mechanisms responsible for the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) phenomenon and the quenching phenomenon at high concentrations.
The study aims to highlight the importance of precise control over nanoparticle concentration and composition (core-shell structure) to achieve the best optical and electrical performance for plasmonic-enhanced OLED devices. The thesis was accepted as fulfilling the requirements for the PhD degree.
