Applied chemistry for CSE STREAM (BCHES102/202)/MODULE 2/ Faculty Incharge: Ms.

Pallavi B N

K S SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT

DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY

ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY STUDY MATERIAL

Course Title: Applied chemistry for CSE stream
Course code: BCHES202

MODULE -2
MATERIALS FOR MEMORY DEVICES AND DISPLAY SYSTEMS
Applied chemistry for CSE STREAM (BCHES102/202)/MODULE 2/ Faculty Incharge: Ms. Pallavi B N

Memory Devices: Introduction. Basic concepts of electronic memory, History of organic/polymer electronic
memory devices, Classification of electronic devices, types of organic memory devices (organic molecules,
polymer materials, organic-inorganic hybrid materials).

Display Systems: Photoactive and electroactive materials, Nanomaterials and organic materials used in
optoelectronic devices.

Liquid crystal (LC’s) Introduction, classification, properties and application in Liquid Crystal Displays
(LCD’s). Properties and application of Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLED’s) and Quantum Light Emitting
Diodes (QLED’s), Light emitting electrochemical cells.

MEMORY DEVICES
INTRODUCTION:

➢ Conventional memory devices are implemented on semiconductor-based integrated circuits, such as

transistors and capacitors.

➢ With the advantages of technology, there is an increase in the demand for high performance digital
gadgets.

➢ To improve the performance of gadget, capacity of data storage device needs to be improved.

➢ In order to achieve greater density of data storage and faster access to information, more components are
deliberately packed onto a single chip.

➢ The size of transistor has decreased from 130nm in the year 2000 to 32nm at present

➢ Silicon-based semiconductor devices become less stable below 22nm.

➢ Reduction in size of transistor below this level, reduces their reliability to store and read individual bits
of information and increases power consumption and results in unwanted heat generation

➢ Therefore, the currently used silicon-based semiconductor memory devices cannot fulfill the
requirements of information storage of the near future.

History of Organic/Polymer Electronic Memory Devices

➢ Different forms of storage, based on various natural phenomena, have been reported since the 1940s.

➢ A computer system usually contains several kinds of storage, each with an individual purpose. In the
1960s, there was a great interest in the electrical properties of amorphous semiconductors and disordered
structures, arising from their unusual electrical properties which also make them promising materials for
device applications.

➢ In 1968, Gregor observed bistable negative resistance in polymer materials and noted that a
Pb/polydivinylbenzene/Pb bistable electrical switching device is capable of acting as an information
storage device.
Applied chemistry for CSE STREAM (BCHES102/202)/MODULE 2/ Faculty Incharge: Ms. Pallavi B N

➢ Studies of the transition behaviour of some ferroelectric polymers began in the 1980s. Thin films of
ferroelectric materials can be repeatedly switched between two stable ferroelectric polarization states,
and are capable of exhibiting non-volatile memory effects.

➢ An organic transistor memory device using a oligomer as the conductor and an inorganic ferroelectric
material as the gate insulator was demonstrated in 2001.

➢ The International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors (ITRS) has identified polymer memory as
an emerging memory technology since the year 2005.

➢ Research work on polymer memory before 2008 was summarized in a comprehensive review
highlighted recent developments in the field of D–A polymers for resistive switching memory device
applications. reviewed the application of electrically, thermally and chemically modified graphene and
polymer-functionalized graphene derivatives for switching and information storage applications.

➢ The research effort in this area arises from the fact that organic/polymer electronic memory devices have
been a promising alternative or supplementary device to conventional memory technologies facing the
problem of miniaturization from microscale to nanoscale.

The advantages of organic and polymer molecules based electronic memory devices are:

a) They can be processed easily.

b) Structure of the molecule used can be design through chemical synthesis.
c) Device structure is very simple.
d) Dimension of the device can be decreased (miniaturized).
e) Cost of production is less.
f) Power consumption during operation is low.
g) They exhibit multiple state properties.
h) Data storage capacity can have increased to very large value.

Basic concepts of electronic memory

An electronic memory device is a form of semiconductor storage which is fast in response and compact in size,
and can be read and written when coupled with a central processing unit

For a material to show memory effect, the essential requirements are:

1) The individual memory cells, must possess at least two stable states. In silicon- based electronic memory
devices used today, data are stored based on the amount of charge stored in the memory cells. Memory cells
exhibit two charge states which are coded as “0” and “1”.

2) These states must be stable for a period appropriate for the data storage.

3) They can be switched between two states by an external stimulus. This is called as the writing process.

4) The states can be distinguished by applying a further external signal. This is called as the reading process.

New organic/polymeric materials exhibit two electrical stable states known as electrical bistability. They
shift from one state (ON state) to other state (OFF state) when an external electric field is applied. In these
Applied chemistry for CSE STREAM (BCHES102/202)/MODULE 2/ Faculty Incharge: Ms. Pallavi B N

devices, information is stored and retrieved by encoding these two states. Therefore, these chemical materials
store information in the form of change in their properties under applied electric field.

Definition: A memory device is a piece of hardware made of semiconducting materials used to store data.
Example: CD, DVD, USB and external hard disc.

• There are several types of memory devices, each with its own unique characteristics and uses.

Two Categories:
a) Volatile memory: Volatile memory is temporary memory and requires power to maintain its data. Volatile
memory loses all its data when the electricity is turns off.

Example: RAM

b) Non-Volatile memory: It is a memory that retains all the data when electricity is turned off.

Example: ROM

• Memory (any type) is stored in the forms of ZERO’s and ONE’s.

• A zero and a one can be represented in many different ways and different memory devices use different
techniques to store them.

• They can be represented by voltages, magnetic fields or even capacitor charges.

Classification of Memory Devices:

1. Transistor-Type Electronic Memory

2. Capacitor-Type Electronic Memory

3. Resistor-Type Electronic Memory

4. Charge Transfer – Type Electronic Memory

Applied chemistry for CSE STREAM (BCHES102/202)/MODULE 2/ Faculty Incharge: Ms. Pallavi B N

1. Transistor-type electronic memory:

• A transistor is semiconductor device consists of at least three terminals for connecting the electronic circuit.

• It can produce a stronger output signal, a voltage or current, proportional to a weaker input signal, acting as an
amplifier.

• It can be extensively used for switching operations, either for opening or closing a circuit.

• The transistor – type memory device consists of billions of transistors; each transistor represents one bit of
information, which is a 0 or a 1.

• When a transistor is turned on, it represents a 1, and when it’s turned off, it represents a 0.

• One popular type of transistor – type memory is dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM).

2. Capacitor-type electronic memory device:

• A capacitor is a two – terminal electrical device that can store energy in the form of electric charge.

• It consists of two metal plates that are separated by an insulating material known as a dielectric.

• Charging and discharging are the two main effects of capacitor, which are used in capacitor – Type Electronic
Memory.

• The capacitor – type memory device consists of billions of capacitor; each capacitor represents one bit of
information, which is a 0 or a 1.

• When a capacitor is charged, it represents a 1, and when it’s discharged, it represents a 0.

• One popular type of capacitor – type memory is Ferroelectric Random Access Memory (FeRAM) which is
used in some specialized applications.
Applied chemistry for CSE STREAM (BCHES102/202)/MODULE 2/ Faculty Incharge: Ms. Pallavi B N

3. Resistor-type electronic memory device:

The resistor is an electrical component that limits or regulates the flow of electrical current in an electronic
circuit.

• The resistive switching devices are made up of metal-insulator-metal(MIM) structure in which the middle
layer acts as an active switching medium.

• The process of charging and discharging switches the device between low and high resistance states.

• The resistor-type memory device consists of billions of resistors; each resistor represents one bit of
information, which is a 0 or a 1.

• The low resistance state represents a 1, and high resistance state represents a 0.

One popular type of resistor-type memory is Programmable Read-Only Memory (PRAM) .

4. Charge transfer type electronic memory device:

• This type of electronic device is based on the Charge Transfer Effects of a charge transfer complex.

• A charge transfer (CT) complex consists of two parts, one electron from donor and other an electron
acceptor. It is also called as a donor-acceptor (D-A) complex.

• The conductivity of a CT complex is dependent on the ionic binding between the D-A components.

• In CT complex, a partial transfer of charges occurs from donor part to the acceptor part. This results in
difference in conductivity.

• CT complexes exhibit bistable states due to difference in conductivity.

• Many charge transfer complexes, including organometallic complexes, carbon allotrope-based polymer
complexes, gold nanoparticle-polymer complexes, etc. have been utilized for memory applications.
Applied chemistry for CSE STREAM (BCHES102/202)/MODULE 2/ Faculty Incharge: Ms. Pallavi B N

Types of organic memory materials:

There are three classes of materials which can exhibit bistable states and are used in organic memory devices.
They are:

1. Organic molecules
2. Polymeric materials
3. Organic-inorganic hybrid materials.
Under each category, lot of different types of molecules exhibiting memory effect are available.

1. Organic molecules

There is different category of organic molecules which show bistable or multistable states when external
field is applied and they undergo a transition from the OFF state to the ON state, or from the ON state to the
OFF state. All these materials can be used in organic electronic memory devices. Few of them are mentioned
here.

a. Organic Memory Devices with P-type Semiconductor:

• Acenes are the polycyclic aromatic compounds consisting of linearly fused benzene rings.
• They are the very first discovered organic memory devices because of their high charge carrier mobility.
Examples for acenes are pentacene, perfluoropentacene, naphthalene, anthracene, tetracene.
• The most important member of the acene family is pentacene. It is a linearly-fused aromatic compound
with five benzene rings.
• It can be obtained in crystal and thin film form. Both forms exhibit a very good hole mobility and hence
it behaves as a p-type semiconductor.

b. Organic Memory Devices with n-type Semiconductor

• When all the hydrogen atoms of pentacene are replaced by fluorine atoms the resulting molecules is
perfluoropentacene.
• Strongly electron withdrawing nature of fluorine atoms. converts this molecule in to n-type
semiconductor
Applied chemistry for CSE STREAM (BCHES102/202)/MODULE 2/ Faculty Incharge: Ms. Pallavi B N

• Pentacene and Perfluoropentacene, both have similar structure and similar crystal packing but former
behaves as p-type semiconductor and latter behaves as an n-type semiconductor.
• Therefore, these molecules together exhibit charge-transfer processes that are useful for memory
applications.

2. Polymeric molecules
• Polyimides (Pls) are one of the most commonly used polymeric materials for organic electrical memory
applications.
• They have high thermal stability and mechanical strength and can be easily processed from solution.
• In Polyimides (Pls), phthalimide acts as the electron acceptor, and triphenylamine acts as an electron
donor to form a Donor-Acceptor structure.
• They exhibit two stable charge states under applied electric field. These states arise due to transfer of
electrons from donor to acceptor.
• This bistability is used to store data in memory device. (D – A) type of polymers are used to fabricate
different types of memory device, such as volatile DRAM and SRAM devices, and non-volatile WORM
and Flash devices.

3. Organic-inorganic hybrid materials

Generally, organic-inorganic hybrid materials are composed of organic layers containing inorganic
materials, Inorganic materials used are allotropes of carbon like fullerenes, carbon nanotubes, graphene and
metal nanoparticles, semiconductor nanoparticles and inorganic quantum dots (QDs).
Applied chemistry for CSE STREAM (BCHES102/202)/MODULE 2/ Faculty Incharge: Ms. Pallavi B N

Display Systems
Display: A display is a device that shows visual information, such as text, images or vedioes to a user.

Display System: A Display system is a collection of hardware and software components that work together to
generate and present visual information to a user.

Photoactive and electroactive materials

Definition:

Photoactive material are those that can absorb light and convert it into an electrical signal.

Electroactive material are those that can change their physical properties, such as shape, size or refractive
index, when exposed to an electric field.

Photoactive and electro active organic materials are the semiconductors composed of of π-electron systems
which are used in electronic and optoelectronic devices.

Working Principle:

• Photoactive and electroactive material absorb and emit light in the UV to IR region.
• Display system (OLED) consisting of photoactive and electroactive material absorb light and allows an
electron to jump from HOMO of a Donor to LUMO of an Acceptor. This phenomenon generate and
transport charge carriers.

• When electrons move from cathode, anode allows movement of holes towards light emitting layer
under an applied field.
• Electron-hole pairs are created at the Light Emitting-Layer and energy is released due to recombination.
• This energy is sufficient to excite an electron from HOMO to LUMO in the light emitting layer made of
photoactive and electroactive materials.
• There is a re-emission of light while electron is returning to HOMO level. This light is extracted by a
transparent substrate placed adjacent to either of the electrode.
Applied chemistry for CSE STREAM (BCHES102/202)/MODULE 2/ Faculty Incharge: Ms. Pallavi B N

Optoelectronic devices:
A hardware device that converts electrical energy into light and light into energy through semiconductors is
called Optoelectronic device.

Working principle:

• Optoelectronic devices are primarily transducers i.e. they can convert one energy form to another.
• If the photon has an energy larger than the energy a gap, the photon will be absorbed by the
semiconductor, exciting an electron from the valence band into the conduction band, where it is free to
move.
• A free hole is left behind in the valence band.
• When the excited electron is returning to valence band, extra photon energy is emitted in the form a
light. This principle is used in Optoelectronic devices.

Nano materials (Silicon nanocrystal) used in optoelectronic devices:

Nanomaterials are defined as the set of substances in which particles size between 1 to 100 nm.

Nanomaterials with electro optical properties can help in the reduction of size in future optoelectronic devices.
Silicon nanocrystals are widely used in optoelectronic devices because of the following properties.

Properties of Silicon Nanocrystals for optoelectronics

1. Silicon Nano crystal has wider bandgap energy due to quantum confinement.

2. Si NCs shows higher light emission property (Photoluminescence)

3. Si NCs exhibit quantum yield of more than 60%.

4. Si-NCs exhibit tunable electronic structure

5. The energy consumption by silicon nanocrystals is very low.

Applications:

1. Si NCs are used in neuromorphic computing and down-shifting in photovoltaics

2. Si NCs are used in the construction of novel solar cells, photodetectors and optoelectronic synaptic devices.
Applied chemistry for CSE STREAM (BCHES102/202)/MODULE 2/ Faculty Incharge: Ms. Pallavi B N

Organic materials for Optoelectronic devices

• Light absorbing materials –Polythiophenes: Poly (3-hexylthiophene):
Polythiophenes are conjugated polymers, environmentally and thermally stable material.

Chemical structure of P3HT Poly (3-hexylthiophene) is a polymer with chemical formula (C10H14S)n. It is a
polythiophene with a short alkyl group on each repeat unit.

Organic materials such as polythiophene (P3HT) poly(3-hexylthiophene) can be used as light absorbing
materials in optoelectronic devices because of the following properties.

Properties:

1. P3HT is a semiconducting polymer with high stability and exhibits conductivity due to holes therefore
considered as p-type semiconductor.

2. Poly-3-hexylthiophene (P3HT) have great capability as light-absorbing materials in organic electronic

devices.

3. P3HT has a crystalline structure and good charge-transport properties required for Optoelectronics.

4. P3HT has a direct-allowed optical transition with a fundamental energy gap of 2.14 eV.

5. Fundamental bandgap of P3HT is 490nm visible region, corresponding to π →π* transition, giving electron-
hole pair.

Applications:

1. Used as a hole-transporting layer in organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) to improve their efficiency and
stability.

2. It can be used as a positive electrode in Lithium batteries.

3. Used in the construction of Organic Solar Cells.

4. Manufacture of smart windows.

5. Used in the fabrication new types of memory devices.

Applied chemistry for CSE STREAM (BCHES102/202)/MODULE 2/ Faculty Incharge: Ms. Pallavi B N

• Light emitting material-Poly [9-vinylcarbazole] (PVK):

Poly (N-vinyl carbazole) (PVK) is a polymers and an efficient hole transport material to prepare highly efficient
and stable perovskite solar cells planar heterojunction.

Properties of PVK

• Luminescence: When excited with light or an electric field, PVK emits light in the blue-violet range of the
visible spectrum.

• Processability: PVK is a highly processable polymer that can be easily spin-coated or printed to form thin
films for the application in optoelectronic devices.

• Solubility: PVK is soluble in a wide range of solvents, which makes it easy to prepare solutions of the
polymer for processing.

• Thermal stability: PVK has glass transition temperature, and hence it can withstand at high temperature
without degrading

Applications:

1. PVK is used in OLEDs for light harvesting applications.

2. Used in the fabrication of light-emitting diodes and laser printers.

3. Used in the fabrication of organic solar cells when combined with TiO2 on glass substrate.

4. Used in the fabrication of solar cells when combined with Perovskite materials.

5. PVK-Perovskite junction is used in Light Emitting Diodes with Enhanced Efficiency and Stability.
Applied chemistry for CSE STREAM (BCHES102/202)/MODULE 2/ Faculty Incharge: Ms. Pallavi B N

Liquid crystal (LC’s)

The liquid crystals are a unique state of matter between solid (crystalline) and liquid (isotropic) phases.

Liquid crystal may be described as a distinct state of matter in which the extent of molecular ordering is
intermediate between the ordered crystalline solid state (Anisotropic) and the completely disordered liquid
(Isotropic).

The liquid crystal state is also referred to as mesophase.

Classification:

1. Thermotropic liquid crystals

2. Lyotropic liquid crystals

1) Thermotropic Liquid Crystals: The class of compounds that exhibit liquid crystalline behavior based
temperature ranges alone are referred to as thermotropic liquid crystals.

Example: : 1) Cholesteryl Benzoate: (145.5°C & 178.5°C)

2) P-Azoxy Anisole: (118°C & 135°C)
Thermotropic liquids are further classified as:

a. Nematic liquid crystals

b. Smectic liquid crystals
c. Cholesteric liquid crystals
d. Discotic Liquid Crystals
Applied chemistry for CSE STREAM (BCHES102/202)/MODULE 2/ Faculty Incharge: Ms. Pallavi B N

a) Nematic liquid crystals:

• Nematic liquid crystals are formed by compounds that are optically inactive.
• The molecules have thread like elongated shape and are approximately parallel to one another.
• The nematic liquid crystals have orientational order but no positional order.

Example: para-azoxyanisole (PAA) which exhibits liquid crystalline behavior in the temperature range of
118°C to 135°C.

b) Smectic liquid crystals:

• The word smectic is taken from the ‘Greek’ word smecticus which means soap like or slippery.
• These liquid crystals are soap like structure or slippery in nature are called smectic liquid crystals.
• They have positional as well as orientational order.
• If the director is perpendicular to the plane, it is called smectic A.
• If the director is perpendicular to the plane and molecules are arranged in hexagonal order, it is called
smectic B.
• If the director makes an angle other than 90°, it is called smectic C.

c) Cholesteric liquid crystals(Chiral):

• This type of liquid crystals is formed from optically active compounds having chiral centers.
• These are arranged in layers and have no positional order and orientational order.
• They have different orientation in each layer. Each layer arranges themselves so as to form a helical
structure.

Example: Cholesteryl benzoate

d) Discotic Liquid Crystals:

• Liquid crystal phase is shown by the molecules which have disk like or plate like structure.
• These molecules have rigid structures like benzene, triphenylene in the central part.
• The simplest discotic phase is also called as discotic nematic phase because there is orientational order
but no positional order.
Example: Benzene-hexa-n-alkanoates
Applied chemistry for CSE STREAM (BCHES102/202)/MODULE 2/ Faculty Incharge: Ms. Pallavi B N

2) Lyotropic Liquid Crystals:

• Lyotropic liquid crystals are formed by the action of suitable solvents like water or alcohols on solids.
• These liquid crystals are heterogeneous substances, made up of two or more components.
• They are usually obtained by mixing the compounds in a solvent and increasing the concentration of
compound till liquid crystal phase is obtained.

Examples: Soap dissolved in water (Micelles)

Properties
• Anisotropy: LCs exhibit anisotropy, which means that properties depend on the direction in which they are
measured.

• Optical properties: LCs have unique optical properties, including birefringence, which makes them useful in
displays and other optical applications.

• Polarizability: LCs are polarizable, which means that they can respond to an electric field.

• Viscosity: LCs have a relatively high viscosity, which makes them resistant to flow.

• Phase transitions: LCs undergo phase transitions between different ordered states this leads to change in
optical properties.

• Chemical stability: LCs are generally chemically stable, which makes them suitable for use in a variety of
applications.

Applications
• Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs): The liquid crystal layer in LCDs allows for the display of images and text
through the use of electrical currents that control the orientation of the crystals

. • Optical Devices: Liquid crystals are used in various optical devices such as variable optical attenuators,
phase shifters, and tuneable filters, these devices are used in optical communication systems, spectroscopy, and
imaging.

• Sensors: Liquid crystal sensors are in various applications such as temperature sensing, humidity sensing,
and chemical sensing.

• Medicine: Liquid crystals have been used in drug delivery systems, where the drug is encapsulated in the
liquid crystal matrix and delivered to specific target cells.
Applied chemistry for CSE STREAM (BCHES102/202)/MODULE 2/ Faculty Incharge: Ms. Pallavi B N

Liquid Crystal in Display System (LCD):

Working principle:

LCD consists

• Polarizer- allows only light waves of specific polarization

• Two electrodes- external potential is applied made up of indium tin oxide
• Liquid crystal- placed between two electrodes.

The basic working principle of LCD is blocking of light. It does not produce light on its own. So external
light source is used.

• When the external light passes from one polarizer to the next polarizer, external supply is given to the
liquid crystal, the polarized light aligns itself so that the image is produced in the screen.
• The indium oxide conducting surface is a transparent layer which is placed on both the sides of the
sealed thick layer of liquid crystal.
• When no external bias is applied the molecular arrangement is not disturbed.
• When the external bias is applied the molecular arrangement is disturbed and that area looks dark and
the other area looks clear.
• In the segment arrangement, the conducting segment looks dark and the other segment looks clear. To
display number 2, the segments A, B, G, E, D are energized.
Applied chemistry for CSE STREAM (BCHES102/202)/MODULE 2/ Faculty Incharge: Ms. Pallavi B N

ORGANIC LIGHT EMITTING DIODES(OLED)

Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLEDs) are organic thin films which are sandwiched between two electrodes
and capable of emitting light when an electric current is applied to them.

Properties
• Thinnes and flexibility: OLEDs are very thin and flexible, which makes them suitable for use in curved or
flexible displays.

• High contrast: OLEDs have a high contrast ratio, which means that they can produce deep blacks and bright
whites, resulting in images with vived and rich colours.

• Fast response time: OLEDs have a first response time, which means that can switch on and off quickly,
resulting in smooth and seamless motion in video content.

• Wide viewing angle: OLEDs have a wide viewing angle, which means the image quality is maintained even
when viewed from different angles.

• Energy efficiency: OLEDs are energy efficient, as they do not require a backlight like traditional LCD
displays, resulting in lower power consumption.

• Self – emissive: OLEDs are self-emissive, which means that they do not require a separate light source,
resulting in a thinner display.

Applications
• Televisions and displays: OLED displays are used in televisions, monitors, smartphones, and other electronic
devices.

• Lighting: OLEDs can also be used as a source of lighting in various applications, including automotive
lighting, street lighting, and architectural lighting.

• Automotive: OLEDs can be used in automotive applications, such as dashboard displays, interior, and
taillights.

• Wearable devices: The thin and flexible nature of OLED makes them suitable for use in wearable devices
such as smart watches and fitness trackers.
Applied chemistry for CSE STREAM (BCHES102/202)/MODULE 2/ Faculty Incharge: Ms. Pallavi B N

QUANTUM LIGHT EMITTING DIODES (QLED)

• Quantum dot light-emitting diodes (QLEDs) are a type of electroluminescent devices that utilize quantum dots
such as cadmium selenide or Zinc sulphide nano crystals.

• They emit light under the applied electric field.

Properties
1. Accurate and vibrant colours: QLEDs are capable of producing highly accurate and vibrant colours due to
their use of quantum dots, which emit light of a specific colour when they are excited by a light source or an
electrical current.
2. Energy-efficient: QLEDs are more energy-efficient than traditional LCD displays because they do not
require as much back lighting.
3. High contrast: QLED displays have high contrast ratios, which means that the difference between the
darkest and brightest areas of the display is greater, resulting in more detailed and life like images.
4. Long life span: QLEDs have a longer life span than traditional LCD displays because they do not suffer from
the same issue soft back light burnout or colour fading over time.
5. Fast response times: QLED displays have fast response times, which mean that they can display fast-
moving images without motion blur or ghosting.
6. Flexibility: QLEDs can be made on flexible substrates, which allows for the creation of flexible displays that
can be bent or curved.

Applications
• Television and displays: QLED displays are commonly used in televisions, monitors, smart phones, and
other electronic devices. They offer superior image quality and colour accuracy compared to traditional LCD
displays.
• Lighting: QLEDs can also be used as a source of lighting in various applications, including automotive
lighting, street lighting, and architectural lighting.
• Medical imaging: QLEDs can be used in medical imaging applications, such as in MRI machines, to produce
high-resolution and accurate images.
• Virtual and augmented reality and Gaming: QLED displays are suitable for use in virtual and augmented
reality applications due to their ability to produce vibrant and accurate colours, which can enhance the
immersive experience.
Applied chemistry for CSE STREAM (BCHES102/202)/MODULE 2/ Faculty Incharge: Ms. Pallavi B N

LIGHT EMITTING ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS

A light-emitting electrochemical cell (LEC or LEEC) is a solid state device that generates light from an
electric current (Electroluminescence).
LEC’s are usually composed of 2 metal electrodes connected an organic semiconductor containing
mobile ions. Light emission in these devices is due to movement of ions in redox reactions. A result of
electrochemical redox reactions.

Properties

• LEC is a simple single layer device can emit light from just a single active Layer.
• Light emission in these device is due to movement of ions as a result of electrochemical redox reaction
under applied external field.
• The light emitter in an LEC is immobile and in direct contact with both Electrodes.
• LEC can be printed as a thin film using graphene and carbon nanotube electrodes.
Applications

• They are mainly used as lighting devices.

• They can be used in display devices.