@article {nano13010169,
	title = {Carbon Nanodots as Electron Transport Materials in Organic Light Emitting Diodes and Solar Cells},
	journal = {Nanomaterials},
	volume = {13},
	number = {1},
	year = {2023},
	abstract = {Charge injection and transport interlayers play a crucial role in many classes of optoelectronics, including organic and perovskite ones. Here, we demonstrate the beneficial role of carbon nanodots, both pristine and nitrogen-functionalized, as electron transport materials in organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) and organic solar cells (OSCs). Pristine (referred to as C-dots) and nitrogen-functionalized (referred to as NC-dots) carbon dots are systematically studied regarding their properties by using cyclic voltammetry, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) and UV\&ndash;Vis absorption spectroscopy in order to reveal their energetic alignment and possible interaction with the organic semiconductor\&rsquo;s emissive layer. Atomic force microscopy unravels the ultra-thin nature of the interlayers. They are next applied as interlayers between an Al metal cathode and a conventional green-yellow copolymer\&mdash;in particular, (poly[(9,9-dioctylfluorenyl-2,7-diyl)-alt-co-(1,4-benzo-{2,1\&prime;,3}-thiadiazole)], F8BT)\&mdash;used as an emissive layer in fluorescent OLEDs. Electrical measurements indicate that both the C-dot- and NC-dot-based OLED devices present significant improvements in their current and luminescent characteristics, mainly due to a decrease in electron injection barrier. Both C-dots and NC-dots are also used as cathode interfacial layers in OSCs with an inverted architecture. An increase of nearly 10\% in power conversion efficiency (PCE) for the devices using the C-dots and NC-dots compared to the reference one is achieved. The application of low-cost solution-processed materials in OLEDs and OSCs may contribute to their wide implementation in large-area applications.},
	issn = {2079-4991},
	doi = {10.3390/nano13010169},
	url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/13/1/169},
	author = {Georgiopoulou, Zoi and Verykios, Apostolis and Ladomenou, Kalliopi and Maskanaki, Katerina and Georgios Chatzigiannakis and Armadorou, Konstantina-Kalliopi and Palilis, Leonidas C. and Chroneos, Alexander and Evangelou, Evangelos K. and Spiros Gardelis and Yusoff, Abd. Rashid bin Mohd and Coutsolelos, Athanassios G and Aidinis, Konstantinos and Vasilopoulou, Maria and Soultati, Anastasia}
}
