Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) on the performance of the phosphorescent organic light-emitting devices (OLEDs) were investigated. The green phosphorescent OLEDs with GNPs incorporated in hole transporting layer (HTL) or hole blocking layer (HBL) were fabricated using thermal evaporation technique. The results indicated that the performance of the OLEDs with GNPs were dependent on the position of the GNPs. The optimized device with GNPs in HBL shows enhanced current efficiency and reduced efficiency roll-off. However, the efficiency of the device with GNPs in HTL was decreased. The detailed physical mechanism is investigated in order to unveil such difference. (C) 2013 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.