Highly efficient and concentration-insensitive OLEDs based on alkyl sterically modified red homoleptic phenylphthalazine iridium complexes

Four red homoleptic iridium (III) complexes (Ir1-Ir4) with steric phenylphthalazine ligands have been syn-thesized. Single X-ray structural analysis shows that the steric hindrance groups can prevent molecular aggre-gation. All complexes exhibited red emission with peaks between 614 and 629 nm in CH2Cl2 and photoluminescence quantum yields (QYs) of 44%-86% in doped films. They were concentration-insensitive, their QYs in neat powder and air atmosphere can reach a maximum of 15%. These complexes exhibited excellent thermal stability with Td higher than 416 degrees C. The OLEDs based on these complexes showed good performances at 10 wt% high doping concentration. Especially, the device based on Ir1 gave a peak current efficiency and external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 25.0 cd A-1 and 24.2% with mild efficiency roll-off, which is the most efficient OLED based on phthalazine iridium complexes. The maximum EQEs of non-doped devices are between 4.0% and 5.6%, which are considerably high, compared with the reported efficiency of iridium complexes based red-emitting non-doped devices. These studies show that increasing the density of the rigid steric groups of iridium complexes is very effective to achieve high efficiency and low concentration sensitive red phosphorescent devices.

Automated summary

In this study, a series of red iridium complexes with steric hindrance groups were synthesized and their performance was investigated. The results showed that increasing the density of steric hindrance groups effectively prevented molecular aggregation and improved the photoluminescence quantum yield and thermal stability of the devices. The device based on Ir1 complex exhibited the highest efficiency, with good current efficiency and external quantum efficiency, and showed low efficiency roll-off.