Controlling the dynamic behavior of light emitting electrochemical cells

Abstract Light emitting electrochemical cells (LECs) present an attractive route towards cost efficient lighting applications. By utilizing ionic phosphorescent transition metal complexes, efficient electroluminescence can be realized from a single layer device using air stable electrodes. These devices achieve efficient charge carrier injection due to ion accumulation at the interface upon driving, resulting in a dynamic response upon device operation. Here we investigate the device operation by using fast current and luminance versus voltage sweeps during normal fixed bias operating. A universal set of JL–V curves can be identified in which different regimes are observable. The speed and extent in which a LEC evolves through this set of curves can be controlled by varying the driving voltage, enabling the device to operate in it maximum efficacy state.