Engineering Phosphorescent and TADF small molecules for white Light-emitting Electrochemical Cells

Light-emitting electrochemical cells (LECs) are getting much attention as single-layered, cost-effective (air-stable electrodes, spray deposition, tolerance to 3D substrates), and moderate performing devices.

To date, the best emitters are conjugated polymers (CP) or anionic transition metal complex (iTMC), however, they still encounter serious hitches with respect to self-stability and sustainability. Hence, the LEC community exercised to find new rainbow emitters. Among them, SMs are considered the next generation due to the recent major achievements in NIR and white LECs.

To advance this emerging field, PoTA-LEC aims at developing a full-fledged phosphorescent and TADF SM (possibilities of harvesting both 25% of singlet excitons and 75% triplet excitons) design to achieve highly performing rainbow LECs.

Based on the SM-LEC and organic light emitting diode (OLED) prior arts, this project will focus on two action lines i) ionic/neutral phosphorescent SMs with peripheral bulky groups and covalently linked host moieties to enhance PLQYs and device efficiency, and ii) ionic/neutral rainbow TADF emitters used as single emitters or hosts.

Optimized monochromatic LECs will be targeted, and the best SMs will be used in white LECs.