A light-emitting diode has a first electrode, a second electrode and a light-emitting layer. A receptor layer of an ion receptor has an affinity for ions of a first charge and is positioned between the first electrode and the light-emitting layer. A further layer includes immobile ions of a second charge and is positioned between the second electrode and light-emitting layer. The immobile ions initially have attached counterions of the first charge that move towards the receptor layer upon application of an electric field for capture by the receptor layer. Upon capture of the counterions, a concentration of immobilized ions of the first charge is formed at the first electrode yielding an ion gradient for injection of electrons and holes resulting in emission of light.