Extremely Vivid, Highly Transparent, and Ultrathin Quantum Dot Light‐Emitting Diodes

Abstract Displaying information on transparent screens offers new opportunities in next‐generation electronics, such as augmented reality devices, smart surgical glasses, and smart windows. Outstanding luminance and transparency are essential for such “see‐through” displays to show vivid images over clear background view. Here transparent quantum dot light‐emitting diodes (Tr‐QLEDs) are reported with high brightness (bottom: ≈43 000 cd m−2, top: ≈30 000 cd m−2, total: ≈73 000 cd m−2 at 9 V), excellent transmittance (90% at 550 nm, 84% over visible range), and an ultrathin form factor (≈2.7 µm thickness). These superb characteristics are accomplished by novel electron transport layers (ETLs) and engineered quantum dots (QDs). The ETLs, ZnO nanoparticle assemblies with ultrathin alumina overlayers, dramatically enhance durability of active layers, and balance electron/hole injection into Q…