Transparency controllable silver-based electrode for flexible optoelectronics

The transmittance of Ag-based electrode increased through suppressing surface plasmons (SPs) coupling. When 10-nm-thick Ag was deposited on small-dielectric-constant (ε) film (LiF, SiO), SPs coupling was induced, resulting in low transmittance (<40%) in visible region. At the Ag/large-ε oxide interface (WO3 and MoO3), SPs were suppressed, and the film showed increased transmittance (∼80%). Organic light emitting diodes using Ag/WO3 (ε: 35) as a transparent electrode showed 1.26 times greater luminance and 32.6% greater power efficiency than using Ag/LiF (ε: 5). These results provide us with an important guideline for enhancing the transmittance of Ag/dielectric film by controlling SPs coupling.