Unit 4

Chemistry of Materials for Memory and Display Systems

MEMORY DEVICES
➢ Memory device is an electroninc circuit or device that is capable of storing
information temporaririly or permanently
➢ It is a piece of hardware used to store data, like a chip
➢ It is just like the human brain; human memory is the faculty which enables
information storage and recall it when required. Our memories can store
information from all our senses; we can visualise past images. remember smells,
imagine noises
➢ But an electronic memory is only capable of storing either a high or low voltage
level

❖ Electronic memories fall into two categories: Volatile and Non-volatile memory
▪ Volatile memory
- This type of memory requires continuous power to enable it to retain
information
- If the power is removed, the 'state of the memory' will be lost
- RAM (Random Access Memory) is in the volatile category

▪ Non-volatile memory
- This type of memory is not dependent upon continuous power to enable
it to retain information
- ROM (Read Only Memory) is non-volatile memory; other examples
include punched card, magnetic tape, magnetic disc, magnetic drum and
magnetic core

❖ Electronic memory is also classified as;

▪ Primary memory
- It is also known as the main memory of the computer system
 - It is used to store data and programs or instructions during computer
operations
- It uses semiconductor technology and hence is commonly called
semiconductor memory.
- Examples: RAM, ROM

▪ Secondary memory
- It is either magnetic, optical or flash memory
- It is not accessible by processor or computer
- It allows user to store data that can be accessed, transmitted and used
by apps
- Examples: CD, USB

Basic concept of Electronic memory

- An electronic memory device is a form of semiconductor storage which is fast
in response and compact in size
- A semiconductor storage system can be read and written when coupled with a
central processing unit (CPU)
- The basic goal of a memory device is to provide a means for storing and
accessing binary digital data sequences of “1’s” and “0’s. Therefore, individual
memory cells, must possess at least two stable states
- The two states must be switched by an external stimulus. This is called as the
writing process
- The states must be distinguished by applying a further external signal. This called
as the reading process
- Electronic memory device consists of two electrodes and switching layer
between two electrodes
- The layer is operated from High Resistance State (HRS) to Low Resistance State
(LRS) under an external electric voltage
- The HRS can be regarded as “0” bit in data storage (OFF)
- The switching from HRS to the Low Resistance State (LRS) is equivalent to “0”
to “1” binary conversion (ON)
- If a single material (used in making memory device) provides more than two
resistance states (bistable), the storage capacity of a single memory increases
exponentially
- In conventional silicon-based electronic memory, data are stored based on the
amount of charge stored in the memory cells. “Higher the charges available,
greater would be the data storage”.

- The modern organic/polymer electronic memory works based on different

electrical conductivity states (ON and OFF states) in response to an applied
electric field
- The memory devices should exhibit,
➢ High storage capacity
➢ Fast data transfer rate
➢ Short access time
➢ Low power consumption
➢ Neuromorphic computing (use of artificial neurons)

Classification of electronic memory devices

According to the device structure, electronic memory devices can be divided
into four types;
I. Transistor-type
II. Capacitor-type
III. Resistor-type and
IV. Charge transfer type

I. TRANSISTOR-TYPE
- A transistor is a miniature semiconductor
- It regulates current/voltage, amplifying the electrical signals and acting as a
switch/gate for them
- Transistor consists of three layers of p-type and n-type semiconductor
- A memory chip consists of billions of transistors, which store data based on two
conductivity states
- The low conductivity state and high conductivity state are assigned the “0” and
“1” or “ON” and “OFF” respectively. Thus, each transistor works as a switch
- Transistor made from silicon or metal oxides store data based on charge; it
consists of a minute and complicated electronic circuit
- Whereas, organic transistor memory device stores based on two conductivity
states; the device structure can be simplified and fabricated in simple steps

II. CAPACITOR-TYPE
- Capacitor stores data in the form of electrical energy (electric charges)
- It consists of two conducting plates in close proximity, placed in parallel to one
another

- Positive charges are deposited on one of the conductors and an equal amount
of negative charges is deposited on the another conductor forming bistable state
- Organic and polymeric ferroelectric materials (spontaneous electric polarization)
are used in capacitor type electronic memory device
- The permanent electric polarization can be repeatedly switched between two
stable states (bistable) by an external electric field

III. RESISTOR-TYPE
- A resistor is a passive electrical component that implements electrical resistance
- The main purpose of resistor is to reduce the current flow and to lower the
voltage in circuit
- These memory devices have a simple structure, having a metal-insulator-metal
structure, generally referred to as MIM structure

- The structure comprises of an insulating layer (I) sandwiched between the two
metal (M) electrodes and supported on a substrate (glass, silicon wafer, plastic
or metal foil).
- Initially, the device is under high resistance state or “OFF” (“0” state), when
resistance changed i.e under external applied field, changes to low resistance state
or “ON” logical value “1”.

IV. CHARGE-TRANSFER TYPE (CT type)

- This type of memory device works based on transfer of charge/electron from
one atom/molecule to another
- Hence, one part of the complex should have free electrons or tendency to lose
electrons called ‘electron donor’ and the other part must have affinity for the
electrons called ‘electron acceptor’
- Therefore, it is also called Donor-Acceptor (D-A) type complex
 (Diagram is important, should be drawn while explaining CT type)

- The conductivity of a CT complex is dependent on the ionic binding between

the D-A components.
- In CT complex partial transfer of charges occurs from donor part to the acceptor
part. This results in difference in conductivity resulting in bistable states
- This behaviour is used to design molecular electronic devices
- Examples: Organometallic complexes, carbon allotropes (fullerene, carbon
nanotubes and graphene) based polymer complexes, gold nanoparticle- polymer
complexes and single polymers with intra-molecular D-A structures are used for
memory applications.

TYPES OF 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
The advantages of organic and polymer memory materials include;
Good processability
Molecular design through chemical synthesis
Simple device structure
Miniaturized dimensions
Low-cost
 Low-power operation
Multiple state properties and
Large capacity for data storage

1. Organic molecules
- There is a category of organic molecules which exhibit bistable or multistable
states when external field is applies
- When a threshold voltage is applied, they undergo a transition from ON to OFF
state or from OFF to ON state
Examples:
(i) Acene derivatives:
- Acenes are polycyclic aromatic compounds consisting of linearly fused benzene
rings;
- They possess high charge carrier mobility
Examples: Pentacene, perfluoropentacene, naphthalene, anthracene.

Pentacene Perfluoropentacene

- Pentacene and Perfluoropentacene both have similar structure and crystal

packing
- But Pentacene behaves as p-type semiconductor and latter behaves as a n-type
semiconductor. Therefore, these molecules together exhibit charge-transfer
process that are useful for memory applications

(ii) Charge transfer complexes:

- These molecules have two parts, electron donor and electron acceptor
Example: Zinc(II)phthalocyanine complex - In this molecule, zinc metal is acceptor
and organic molecule phthalocyanine is the donor

2. Polymeric molecules
- The characteristic of polymer memory molecules is low-cost and high-
performance
- They have the potential for 3D stacking and mechanical adaptability
Examples:
(i) Polyimides - Most commonly used polymeric materials for organic electrical
memory applications
- They exhibit high thermal stability and mechanical strength
- They exhibit two stable charged states under applied electric field due to Donor-
Acceptor structure
Example: Phthalimide acts as the electron acceptor & triphenylamine acts as an
electron donor

(ii) Conjugated polymers - They are rich in pi electrons and can be made to show
charge states by incorporating electron acceptor groups in their back bone.
Example: poly (ethylene-2,6-naphthalate) in flash devices

(iii) A polymer known as (PEDOT) is vital plastic used to store the digital data in
gigabyte and be adequately modest to rival CDs and DVDs.

(iv) Shape memory polymers (Ex: polyvinylchloride, polyurethanes) can react to

temperature, light, pH and moisture, there are several exciting possibilities for
these elements in fabrics. These include relaxation, aesthetics, wound
monitoring, security against environmental conditions, quick controlled drug
relief, and more
 3) Organic-Inorganic hybrid materials
- They 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)
(i) Organic–Carbon allotrope hybrid materials
- Polymers containing electron donors such as thiophene, fluorine, carbazole and
aniline derivatives can be combined with fullerenes to obtain a charge transfer
hybrid material
- This material will have donor-acceptor ability and electrical bistable states.
- Fullerenes exhibit high electron-withdrawing ability and can capture up to six
electrons. They are used in warm memory effect devices.

(ii) Organic-Inorganic Nanocomposites

- These are hybrid electronic memory devices in which organic polymer with
appropriate functional group is clubbed with metal nanoparticles, quantum dots
and metal oxide nanoparticles.
Example: Composite of 8-hydroxyquinoline containing polymer with gold
nanoparticles sandwiched between two metal electrodes. Bistable electronic
transition states are observed when electric field is applied due to charge transfer
between Au nanoparticles and 8-hydroxyquinoline.
DISPLAY SYSTEMS
- Display systems are the devices/systems used to share information in a digital format
- They can consist of a single display with a digital signage player or multiple displays

Some display devices:

- A display device consists of three primary components: display assembly, controller,

and backlight.
- The display systems are made with different types of materials such as, cathode ray
tubes (CRT), Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) etc.

Liquid Crystals (LCs)

- LCs exhibit a phase that has properties between the conventional, isotropic liquids
and solid crystals
- LC is a thermodynamic stable phase characterized by anisotropy of properties
- The temperature range at which it occurs is between solid and liquid; hence the term
mesophase (meso – intermediate)

Isotropic: Equal physical properties along all axes

Anisotropic: Different physical properties along the axes
Solid Liquid crystal Liquid
In solids, molecules are In LCs, molecules have They lack intermolecular
closely packed in a regular orientational order but forces and hence the
fixed arrangement and only have partial molecules or atoms move
hence have both positional order. randomly. They are
positional and The molecules in isotropic in nature.
orientational order. They mesogenic phase are in
are anisotropic. constant motion, but
orient in a preferred
direction and said to have
orientational order,
referred as a “director” or
vector denoted by Λn.

Structural requirement for a liquid crystal /Properties of LCs

1) Molecules must have elongated structure and must have rigid central part
2) A large number of organic molecules with long chain such as cholesteryl acetate
(CH3COOC27H45), cholesteryl benzoate (C6H5COOC27H45), etc. show LC behavior
3) Small molecules and polymers may exist in the liquid crystalline state, but generally
special spatial structures like rigid rod like or disc like molecules are required
4) They must have functional groups that exert a force of attraction and hold the
molecule parallel to each other (imparts orientational order)
5) Molecules must have flexible ends which twist and wriggle (impart positional order)
6) Molecules must preferably have aromatic rings and conjugated double bonds
imparting rigidity

Liquid crystal behaviour: (Electro-optic effects)

The effect of light and electric field on liquid crystals plays important in their
optoelectronic display applications: -
Effect of electric field:
- The director in a liquid crystal is free to point in any direction.
- But when a film of liquids crystal is placed between two plates and an electric field is
applied across them, then the director is forced to point along a particular direction.
- The deformity begins at a threshold value of the applied field and increases with
increase in the strength of the field.
- When a small voltage is applied, liquid crystals reorient themselves as they have a
permanent dipole moment. For non-polar molecules an electric dipole is induced.
- The transition (deformity) is important in the operation of the liquid crystal displays
(LCD) because the transition brings a significant change in the optical characteristics
of the liquid crystals.

Effect of Light:
- When plane polarized light is made to pass through two crossed polarizers, no light
emerges out.
- This is because, the light emerging from the first polarizer is completely absorbed by
the second polarizer and hence appears dark.
- We can make the plane polarized to pass through two crossed polarizers by placing a
twisted nematic liquid crystal in between two polarizers.
- For example, a display is obtained by placing liquid crystal in between two polarizers
which are placed inclined to each other at an angle of rotation by liquid crystals. The
source of light radiation is kept below first polarizer; light passes through it and then
rotated by liquid crystal, it passes through the second polarizer. Hence, it gives bright
appearance to display.
- Now, if an electric field is applied between two polarizers, then liquid crystal
molecules will arrange themselves to applied field
- Hence the rotation of plane of the polarized light is also affected.
- Thus, light passing through first polarizer cannot pass through second polarizer and
it gives appearance to display.

Application of Liquid crystals:

Liquid crystals are widely used in many areas of science and engineering, as well as device
technology: -
- Liquid crystals consume very little electrical power. Hence, they find use in many
electronic devices
- They are used in display devices (LCDs) such as Laptops, watches, calculators, clocks,
etc.
- Used in LC thermometers; Chiral nematic (cholesteric) liquid crystals reflect light and
the colour reflected is dependent on temperature
- They are used in optical Imaging and recording
- LCs are used in medical applications and pharmaceutical industries
- Cholesteric liquid crystals are used in thermography (which converts radiation energy
into heat energy); when applied to the surface of the skin, they locate veins, arteries,
infections, tumours and the foetal placenta which are warmer than the surrounding
tissues
- Liquid crystals are widely used in cosmetic industry in manufacturing of liquid crystal
 makeup removers, lipsticks etc.
- Liquid crystal polymers are used as fire resistant, optical cables etc.
- Cholesteric liquid crystals have also been used for novelty items such as toys and
decorative materials.

Classifications of LCs
Liquid crystals are classifed into two main catagories;
1. Lyotropic liquid crystals
2. Thermotropic liquid crystals

1. Lyotropic liquid crystals

- These compounds exhibit liquid crystal phase when mixed with a solvent
- They are amphipathic (or amphiphilic) in nature; they have both polar lyophilic
(hydrophilic) and non-polar lyophobic (hydrophobic) end.
- Such amphiphilic molecules form oredered strucutres in both polar and non polar
solvents.
- They are usually obtained by mixing the compound in a solvent and increasing the
concentration till liquid crystal phase is observed. Such liquid crystals are called
lyoptropic liquid crystals.
- The formation of lyotropic mesophase is dependent on the concetration of either the
component or the solvent.
Example: soap molecules (soap – water mixture)

2. Thermotropic liquid crystals

- These are the class of compounds that exhibit liquid crystlline behaviour on variation
of temperature
- Their properties depend on temperature
Example: Cholesteryl benzoate exhibits LC behaviour at 145.5 °C to 178.8 °C

Thermotropic liquid crystals are classified as,

a) Nematic liquid crystals
b) Chiral Nematic liquid crystals/Cholesteric Liquid crystals
c) Smectic liquid crystals

a) Nematic liquid crystals

- It is the most common phases in which the molecules have no positional order, but
have long-range orientational order.
- In Greek ‘nematic’ means thread hence, the thread- like structure of nematic crystals;
The molecules have elongated shape and are approximately parallel to one another
- Nematic LCs have fluidity similar to that of ordinary (isotropic) liquids but they can
be easily aligned by an external magnetic or electric field.
- An aligned nematic has the optical properties of a uniaxial crystal and this makes them
extremely useful in liquid crystal displays (LCD)
- In this phase, the molecules maintain a preferred orientational direction but positional
order is completely absent and they can diffuse throughout the sample.
- Example: para-azoxyanisole (PAA) exhibits liquid crystalline behavior in the
temperature range of 118 °C to 135 °C.

b) Cholesteric liquid crystals

- They are also called Chiral or Twisted nematic liquid crystals
- These are the optically active molecules, where mesogens are arranged in layers with
functional groups protruding out of the molecular plane.
- The layers are parallel to one another, having their longitudinal axes rotated in certain
angle.
- The molecules in cholesteric liquid crystals are in a twisted and chiral arrangement.
- Thus, the director of the liquid crystal traces a helical path resulting in a spiral
arrangement of molecules capable of rotating the plane polarized light.
- The angle of twist is temperature dependent and is referred to as “pitch” of the crystal
which affects the wavelength of colour reflected.
- Examples: cholesteryl benzoate, cholesteryl myristate and cholesteryl formate

c) Smectic Liquid crystals

- These are the LCs, where the molecules have both positional order and orientational
order.
- Generally, the smectic phases are found at lower temperatures than the nematic phase
- They have well-defined layered arrangement which can slide over one another like
soap, due to weak interlayer forces
- Liquid crystal molecules whose side chain has 8 carbon atoms and above exhibit this
phase
- Based on the orientation of the director, there are three types of smectic phases.
- If the director is perpendicular to the planes, it is called smectic A, if the director
makes an angle other than 90° is called smectic C and if the director is perpendicular
to the smectic plane with the molecules themselves into a network of hexagons within
the layer is called as smectic B.

Jablonski diagram
When a molecule absorbs energy in the form of electromagnetic radiations, and undergoes excitation, there
are a number of routes by which it can return to ground state.
A Jablonski diagram is basically an energy diagram, with energy on a vertical axis and ground state on x axis.
Horizontal lines are representations of the limits of electronic energy states and within each electronic energy
state are multiple vibronic energy states.

Jablonski diagram shows transitions between energy states that occur from the exposure of a molecule to a
particular wavelength of light.
A straight arrow pointing up indicates transition due to absorbance of a photon of a particular energy by the
molecule. Only certain wavelengths of light are possible for absorbance, that is, wavelengths that have
energies that correspond to the energy difference between two different energy states of the particular
molecule.
The excited molecule dissipates energy in two ways
1. Radiative –
(i) Fluorescence – Electron jumps from one electronic state to the other retaining the spin state and
emitting radiation. Fluorescence is a slow process on the order of 10-9 to 10-7 seconds. This is
termed as “allowed transition”.
(ii) Phosphorescence – A delayed fluorescence with a change in the spin state is called
Phosphorescence. Since a change in spin state occurs, it is a slow process and is termed as
“forbidden transition”.

2. Non Radiative - This process is very fast, between 10-14 and 10-11

(i) Vibrational relaxation - Transitions from one vibrational energy level to the other within the same
electronic level and without change in the spin state.
(ii) Internal conversion - Vibrational energy level overlaps with electronic level and hence causes a
transition from one electronic state to the other.
(iii) Intersystem crossing - Transitions involving a change in spin state across pure vibrational energy
levels or overlapped vibrational energy level with electronic level.

PHOTOACTIVE AND ELECTROACTIVE MATERIALS

The materials, mainly organic materials that are used in optoelectronic devices are referred
as photo and electroactive materials (also called organic semiconductors).
Photoactive materials:
- Photoactive materials belong to the field of photonics, where materials that actively
interact with light
- They are tuned and optimized to achieve effects such as light emission (LEDs, lasers,
etc.) or light detection, with related signal amplification (e.g., in photomultipliers) and
processing operations.
- Alternatively, they can be used to develop light-sensitive circuits and switches (such
as with photoresistors), or more generally, to convert light into an electrical signal (i.e.,
to build photodiodes).
- These materials can convert electrical energy into light or vice versa; hence called
optoelectronic materials
Example: Organo-halide perovskite solar cells

Electroactive Materials:
- An electroactive material exhibits a change in size or shape when stimulated by an
electric field.
- The most common applications of this type of material are in actuators, sensors and
artificial muscles.
- A typical characteristic property of an electroactive material is that they will undergo
a large amount of deformation while sustaining large forces.
Examples: Carbon Nanotube, Copolymer, Polypyrrole etc.

The photoactive organic materials exhibit opto-electronic phenomena as follows;

a. Absorption–Emission of light radiations in the wavelength region from ultraviolet to
near infrared
b. Photo-generation of charge carrier
c. Transport of charge carrier
d. Injection of charge carriers from the electrodes
e. Exhibit excellent optical properties
Advantages of organic material-based devices over inorganic semiconductor-based devices;
• They are light weight
• They are flexible
• They can be easily synthesized by chemical method
• Cost of production is less
• They can be used in novel thin-film flexible devices
• Properties can be fine-tuned by structure modification Hence, they are used in
Organic photovoltaic devices (OPVs), Organic light emitting diodes (OLEDS), and
organic field-effect transistors (OFETS)

Organic compounds with extensive conjugation and n-electrons systems are capable of
exhibiting above mentioned set of properties. These organic materials can be broadly
classified in to three categories;

• Small molecule
• Oligomers with well-defined structure
• Polymers Small organic molecules are crystalline in nature.

Small molecule:
Examples: The metal and metal free phthalocyanines, porphyrins, poly-condensed
aromatic hydrocarbons like anthracenes, and fullerenes.

Oligomers with well-defined structure:

- p-Conjugated oligomers are new family of organic π-electron system with well-defined
structures.
- Their properties and functions can be controlled by varying the n-conjugation length
- Examples: Pentacene and oligothiophenes.

Polymers Small organic molecules are crystalline in nature

- Polymers are bad conductors of electrons
- But conducting polymers with extensive conjugation and n-electron system exhibit
electro-optical behaviour and they are excellent functional materials
- Examples: Polyacetylene, poly(p-phenylene vinylene), poly(99-dialkylfluorene),
polythiophenes, polypyrroles and polyanilines, etc.
 Light-emitting electrochemical cell
- A light-emitting electrochemical cell (LEC or LEEC) is a solid-state device that
generates light from an electric current (electroluminescence).
- LECs are usually composed of two metal electrodes connected by (e.g. sandwiching)
a heavily doped semiconductor containing mobile ions.

Quantum Dots Light Emitting Diodes (QLEDS)

- The quantum dots are also called artificial atoms
- They are nanometre-scale "boxes" that selectively hold or release electrons
- These semiconductors range in size from 2 nm to 10 nm in diameter, which consist
of 10 to 50 atoms.
- They exhibit a combination of atomic and solid-state properties.
- The wavelength of radiations emitted, or the colour exhibited, depends on the size of
quantum dots
- They exhibit advantages like high colour saturation, tunable colour emission, and high
stability

Construction and working of QLEDs (write the small introduction about QDs before construction &
working)

- A
QLED
is

composed of three layers:

(i) one inner layer of QDs called an emissive layer,
(ii) one outer layer that transports electrons – Electron transport layer (ETL)
(iii) one outer layer that transports holes - Hole transport layer (HTL)
- When electric field is applied on the outer layers, electrons and holes shift into the
layer of QD
 - In emissive layer, QD captures electrons and holes where they recombine and get
excited
- Excited QD material returns to its ground state, emitting photons/radiations
- A great effect of an increased recombination efficiency is obtained by constructing an
emissive layer in a single layer of QDs, so that the electrons and holes move directly
from the surfaces of ETL and HTL

Applications of QLEDs:
• Televisions and displays: QLED displays are commonly used in televisions, monitors,
smartphones, 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. They offer energy-
efficient and highly customizable lighting options.
• Medical imaging: QLEDs can be used in medical imaging applications, such as in MRI
machines, to produce high-resolution and accurate images. Also used in phototherapy
• Virtual and augmented reality: 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.
• Advertising displays: QLED displays can be used in advertising displays, such as digital
billboards and signage, to produce high-quality and eye-catching visuals
• Microscopy: QLED is also used for near-field scanning optical microscopy and lighting in
digital cameras

Advantages/Properties Disadvantages
colour accuracy limited viewing angles
higher colour saturation High price
higher contrast ratio require stable polymer shell for support
higher peak brightness uneven degradation of pixels
faster response time poor outdoor visibility

Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLED)

 - It is a display technology consisting of OLED panels that emit light when electric
current is passed.
- OLEDs are super-light, have a true contrast ratio, wide colour range, deep colour
saturation and wide viewing angle.
- Their properties such as low cost, light weight, flexibility, and transparency have raised
enormous interest for their potential applications in displays and lightings

Construction and working of OLEDs

- OLED devices consist of two electrodes, an anode and a cathode and the organic
layers (multiple organic layers) are placed between them
- At least one of the electrodes must be transparent, in order to facilitate emission of
light from the device
- To create white light, most devices use red, green, and blue emitters that can be
arranged in several configurations
- When voltage is applied, charge carriers are injected from the electrodes to the organic
layers
- Anode injects holes (positive charges) and cathode injects electrons (negative charges)
to the system
- The holes and electrons are transported to an emission site in organic layer where they
recombine and cause excitation of the organic material
- When the excited organic material returns to its ground state, light emission occurs
- The intensity of the light emitted is controlled by the amount of electric current
applied, and the colour of light is determined by the type of emissive material used

Applications of OLEDs:
• OLEDS are widely used in display systems such as TV, Computer screens, smart
phones, tablet displays, etc.
 • Used to make super-thin pages for electronic books and magazines
• Lighting: used as a source of lighting in various applications, including automotive
lighting, street lighting, and architectural lighting
• Wearable devices: The thin and flexible nature of OLEDs makes them suitable for
use in wearable devices, such as smartwatches and fitness trackers
• Automotive: used in automotive applications, such as dashboard displays, interior
lighting, and taillights
• Medical: used in medical applications, such as in surgical lighting and medical
imaging. They offer bright and highly accurate lighting options that can help improve
medical procedures and diagnosis

Properties of QLEDs
OLEDs exhibit several unique features;
1. OLED devices have solid and planar structure. Therefore, OLED display panels are
very thin, flat and lightweight
2. OLED devices have self-emission property; hence exhibits high contrast ratios (high
resolution) and wide viewing angles
3. The response time is very fast (in micro or nanosecond order). Therefore, OLED
displays can produce sharp moving images (Extremely attractive compared to LCD)
4. In OLEDs, the emission is from organic materials. Using variety of different organic
materials various colour can be generated. Therefore full- colour images can be
obtained
5. The power consumption in OLED displays is very low

QLED OLED
Quantum dot light emitting diode Organic layer light emitting diode
Quantum dots are used in emissive layer Organic compounds are used in emissive
layer