We have synthesized a small molecule fluoro-material, N,N,N',N'-tetra(4-methylphenyl)-2,2',3,3',5,5',6,6'-octafluoro-biphenyl4 ,4'-diamine (POFDA), as an anode buffer layer for organic light-emitting devices (OLEDs). This fluoro-material shows obvious hydrophobicity, which stabilizes the indium-tin oxide (ITO) surface from moisture and air contaminants. In addition, insertion of an ultrathin POFDA layer at the ITO/organic interface significantly reduces operating voltage, and increase efficiency, and operational stability. Ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopic analysis suggested that the performance improvement is related to the reduction in hole-injection barrier at the anode contact. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.