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Active layer solution-processed NIR-OLEDs based on ternary erbium(III) complexes with
P Martín-Ramos1, C Coya, V Lavín
1Advanced Materials Laboratory, ETSIIAA, Universidad de Valladolid, Avenida de Madrid 44, 34004, Palencia, Spain. mgil@iaf.uva.es.
Dalton Transactions (Cambridge, England : 2003)
|October 31, 2014
Summary
Three new erbium(III) complexes with fluorinated ligands were synthesized and characterized. These complexes exhibit near-infrared luminescence and were fabricated into organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), with one showing superior performance.
Area of Science:
- Coordination Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Luminescent Materials
Background:
- Erbium(III) complexes are investigated for their unique luminescent properties, particularly in the near-infrared (NIR) region.
- Ternary complexes offer tunable properties by varying ancillary ligands, impacting their performance in optoelectronic devices.
- Organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) require efficient emitters and charge-transporting materials for optimal performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize novel octacoordinated erbium(III) complexes using a fluorinated beta-diketonate ligand and nitrogen-donor ancillary ligands.
- To investigate the structural, spectroscopic, and photoluminescent properties of the synthesized erbium(III) complexes.
- To fabricate and evaluate solution-processed OLEDs incorporating these erbium(III) complexes for NIR emission applications.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of three new ternary erbium(III) complexes: [Er(tfac)3(bipy)], [Er(tfac)3(bath)], and [Er(tfac)3(5NO2phen)], where Htfac is 1,1,1-trifluoro-2,4-pentanedione and bipy, bath, 5NO2phen are ancillary ligands.
- Structural determination via single-crystal X-ray diffraction.
- Characterization using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and thermodynamic analysis.
- Fabrication of OLEDs with the structure glass/ITO/PEDOT:PSS/[Er(tfac)3(N,N-donor)]/Ca/Al.
- Measurement of photoluminescence and electroluminescence properties.
Main Results:
- Successful synthesis and structural elucidation of three novel octacoordinated erbium(III) complexes.
- All complexes exhibit characteristic Er(3+) near-infrared (NIR) luminescence at 1532 nm upon UV excitation.
- The [Er(tfac)3(5NO2phen)] complex shows stronger photoluminescence intensity compared to [Er(tfac)3(bipy)] and [Er(tfac)3(bath)].
- The OLED device fabricated with [Er(tfac)3(bath)] demonstrates the best electroluminescence performance due to superior electron transport properties of bathophenanthroline.
Conclusions:
- The synthesized ternary erbium(III) complexes are effective NIR emitters.
- The choice of ancillary ligand significantly influences the electroluminescence performance of the resulting OLEDs.
- Bathophenanthroline is identified as a promising ancillary ligand for enhancing electron transport in erbium(III)-based OLEDs for C-band emission.
