Recent Progress in Sublimable Cationic Iridium(III) Complexes for Organic Light-Emitting Diodes

Abstract

Sublimable cationic iridium(III) complexes consisting of light-emitting coordinated iridium(III) cations and nonluminous negative counter-ions, show excellent photophysical properties, superior electrochemical behaviors and high thermal stabilities, therefore have emerged as a new library of phosphorescent materials for various organic optoelectronic devices. Here we summarize and highlight the recent progress in sublimable cationic iridium(III) complexes, regarding the material design strategies, synthetic routes, photoluminescent characteristics in both solutions and neat films, together with the current utilization in organic light-emitting diodes based on the emissive material layers fabricated by vacuum evaporation deposition. Finally, we present a brief outlook thereon, indicating the great promise and brilliant application prospect of sublimable cationic iridium(III) complexes in future flat-panel display and solid-state lighting technology.

Keywords: cationic iridium(III) complexes; electroluminescence; ionic transition metal complexes; organic light-emitting diodes; sublimability.