An increase of work function （0.3 eV） is achieved by irradiating poly（3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene）：poly（styrene sul- fonate） （PEDOT：PSS） film in vacuum with 254-nm ultraviolet （UV） light. The mechanism for such an improvement is investigated by photoelectron yield spectroscopy, X-ray photo electron energy spectrum, and field emission technique. Sur- face oxidation and composition change are found as the reasons for work function increase. The UV-treated PEDOT：PSS film is used as the hole injection layer in a hole-only device. Hole injection is improved by UV-treated PEDOT：PSS film without baring the enlargement of film resistance. Our result demonstrates that UV treatment is more suitable for modifying the injection barrier than UV ozone exposure.
