Recent progress in thermally activated delayed fluorescence dendrimers for solution-processed organic light-emitting diodes

During the past decade, the discovery of thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) materials has significantly boosted the development of organic light-emitting diode (OLED) technology. Compared with small-molecule and polymeric TADF materials, TADF dendrimers have emerged as promising emitters for solution-processed OLEDs because they have the integrated advantages of TADF small molecules and polymers in achieving high efficiency, excellent solution processability, and precise molecular structures. In recent years, TADF dendrimers have experienced important advances in molecular design, mechanism exploration and device performance. Herein, we present a comprehensive review of solution-processable TADF dendrimers, mainly focusing on their molecular design principles and structure-property correlations. The advanced device performances of these dendrimers are also summarized. Finally, we proposed the prospects and challenges on the development of TADF dendrimers.

Automated summary

The discovery of thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) materials in the past decade has significantly advanced the development of organic light-emitting diode (OLED) technology. TADF dendrimers, with the combined advantages of TADF small molecules and polymers in achieving high efficiency, excellent solution processability, and precise molecular structures, have emerged as promising emitters for solution-processed OLEDs. In recent years, there have been important advances in the molecular design, mechanism exploration, and device performance of TADF dendrimers. This review provides an overview of solution-processable TADF dendrimers, focusing on their molecular design principles, structure-property correlations, and advanced device performances. The prospects and challenges in the development of TADF dendrimers are also discussed.