Efficient Large-Area (81 cm²) Ternary Copper Halides Light-Emitting Diodes with External Quantum Efficiency Exceeding...

Ternary copper (Cu) halides are promising candidates for replacing toxic lead halides in the field of perovskite light-emitting diodes (LEDs) toward practical applications. However, the electroluminescent performance of Cu halide-based LEDs remains a great challenge due to the presence of serious nonradiative recombination and inefficient charge transport in Cu halide emitters. Here, the rational design of host-guest [dppb]₂Cu₂I₂ (dppb denotes 1,2-bis[diphenylphosphino]benzene) emitters and its utility in fabricating efficient Cu halide-based green LEDs that show a high external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 13.39% are reported. The host-guest [dppb]₂Cu₂I₂ emitters with mCP (1,3-bis(N-carbazolyl)benzene) host demonstrate a significant improvement of carrier radiative recombination efficiency, with the photoluminescence quantum yield increased by nearly ten times, which is rooted in the efficient energy transfer and type-I energy level alignment between [dppb]₂Cu₂I₂ and mCP. Moreover, the charge-transporting mCP host can raise the carrier mobility of [dppb]₂Cu₂I₂ films, thereby enhancing the charge transport and recombination. More importantly, this strategy enables a large-area prototype LED with a record-breaking area up to 81 cm², along with a decent EQE of 10.02% and uniform luminance. It is believed these results represent an encouraging stepping stone to bring Cu halide-based LEDs from the laboratory toward commercial lighting and display panels.