Elastic blue light-emitting diode based on InGaN/GaN microwires and SWCNT-on-PDMS matrix electrode

Abstract

Flexible and stretchable light-emitting devices are required for novel optoelectronic applications, including deformable screens and microdisplays. In this paper, inorganic light-emitting diodes (LEDs) exhibit elastic properties with both in-plane stretchable and flexible features. These elastic LEDs are based on InGaN/GaN microwires, encapsulated into polymer matrices, and single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) patterned films as pixel electrodes. The proposed SWCNT-based elastic electrodes maintain initial resistivity at 10% biaxial stretching. The assembled monolithic LEDs operate in the blue spectral range and demonstrate stable luminescent and electrical properties, when LEDs are stretched alternately by 10% along both in-plane axes. Electrical stability is confirmed under cyclic loads: after reaching around 60 stretching cycles, SWCNT-based electrodes adopt a configuration insensitive to stretching.