Self-catalytic-grown SnO nanocones for light outcoupling enhancement in organic light-emitting diodes.

Light extraction in organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) was improved by applying SnO nanocones grown via thermal annealing in a low-O atmosphere. SnO was easily fabricated through thermal processing after Sn deposition. The diameter of the SnO nanocones was controlled by changing the deposition thickness of Sn. The SnO nanocones induced strong Mie scattering, which reduced the total internal reflection in the glass substrate. Consequently, the OLED with SnO nanocones exhibited a 23% increase in the external quantum efficiency compared with a reference device.