Dibenzophenazine-Based TADF Emitters as Dual Electrochromic and Electroluminescence Materials

Chemistry. 2022 Aug 1;28(43):e202200826. doi: 10.1002/chem.202200826. Epub 2022 Jun 16.

Abstract

Previous work has reported the synthesis of donor-acceptor-donor molecules based on dibenzophenazine acceptor group, presenting thermally activated delayed fluorescent (TADF) properties and their application in the assembly of highly efficient electroluminescent devices. Herein, we focus on the characterisation of charge carrier species through UV-Vis-NIR spectroelectrochemical and potentiostatic EPR techniques, in addition to the investigation of electropolymerisation properties of some compounds depicted in this study. The promising electrochromic features of both small molecules and conjugated polymers led to the assembly and investigation of electrochromic devices, evidencing the materials' versatility, applied in such different approaches as electrochromic windows and electroluminescent devices. Furthermore, the assembled OLEDs provided high efficiencies, with small roll-off, EQEs up to 20.5 % and luminance values up to 85 000 cd/m2 .

Keywords: TADF; dibenzophenazines; electrochromism; electron paramagnetic resonance; spectroelectrochemistry.