Triplet states and energy back transfer of carbazole derivatives

Intermolecular interactions among pi conjugated semiconducting molecules often give rise to totally different optical behaviours between the solid state and dilute phases. Phosphorescence spectra observed in the solid state are often lowered compared with dilute forms resulting in the red-shift of the phosphorescence spectra. Here, we demonstrate that this red-shift can be reduced by introducing side groups. We also show that such a shift is a function of interchromophoric distance with fast exponential decay. Furthermore, we show conclusively that triplet exciton transfer between the hosts and the bis [2-(4F,6-difluorophenyl)pyridinato-C2,N](picolinato)iridium(III) can be described in terms of the Boltzmann factor using triplet energies obtained from the solid state. These results will have implications in molecular design that utilizes triplet excitons such as organic light emitting diodes and singlet fission solar cells.