Segregated Array Tailoring Charge-Transfer Degree of Organic Cocrystal for the Efficient Near-Infrared Emission beyond 760 nm

Harvesting the narrow bandgap excitons of charge-transfer (CT) complexes for the achievement of near-infrared (NIR) emission has attracted intensive attention for its fundamental importance and practical application. Herein, the triphenylene (TP)-2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (F(4)TCNQ) CT organic complex is designed and fabricated via the supramolecular self-assembly process, which demonstrates the NIR emission with a maximum peak of 770 nm and a photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of 5.4%. The segregated stacking mode of TP-F(4)TCNQ CT complex based on the multiple types of intermolecular interaction has a low CT degree of 0.00103 and a small counter pitch angle of 40 degrees between F(4)TCNQ and TP molecules, which breaks the forbidden electronic transitions of CT state, resulting in the effective NIR emission. Acting as the promising candidates for the active optical waveguide in the NIR region beyond 760 nm, the self-assembled TP-F(4)TCNQ single-crystalline organic microwires display an ultralow optical-loss coefficient of 0.060 dB mu m(-1). This work holds considerable insights for the exploration of novel NIR-emissive organic materials via an universal cocrystal engineering strategy.

Automated summary

In this study, a TP-F(4)TCNQ CT organic complex was designed and fabricated via supramolecular self-assembly process, demonstrating the ability to emit near-infrared (NIR) light. The complex breaks the forbidden electronic transitions of CT state, resulting in effective NIR emission. Additionally, self-assembled TP-F(4)TCNQ single-crystalline organic microwires also show potential as active optical waveguides in the NIR region.