Recent Advances in Hybrid Optoelectronics

Polymer/organic optoelectronic devices have drawn the attention of both the academic and industrial research communities due to the potential for a low-cost, large-area, solution-processable technology alternative to conventional inorganic optoelectronics. Issues related to the stability and degradation of the organic/polymer-based optoelectronics are hampering the progress in the field. The use of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT : PSS) as the anode and reactive metals as the cathode, as well as the degradation of organic semiconductors in ambient atmosphere, are some of the stability issues to be addressed. To resolve these issues, in the past decade, there has been a growing interest in research of hybrid optoelectronic devices which employ metal oxides as air-stable charge injecting/extracting layers that sandwich the photo-responsive organic active layer and protect it from the ambient oxygen and moisture and prevent photo-oxidation by absorbing UV light. Herein, we review the recent advances made in hybrid optoelectronics and discuss the tremendous potential of these devices.