Synthesis and luminescent properties of a linear difluorene pyrazine (D-A-D) derivative as a selective indicator for a reversible acid-base vapour sensor

We have synthesized a structure in which pyrazine is the core structure and fluorene derivatives are attached to both sides. Photo physical investigations such as aprotic solvents (Hexane to DMF) were carried out. A redshift was revealed from non-polar aprotic solvents to polar aprotic solvents. The luminescence intensity was gradually decreased, which is incredibly more complex towards changes in the solvent polarization than their UV/Vis absorption spectra. The compound showed a redshift from 445 nm to 473 nm when slowly increasing the water fraction (fw) from 0 to 30 %. Also, rising water fraction (fw > 40-90 %) effectively attenuated the instantaneous emission intensity was observed. At the same time, the intensity of the emission peak was reduced due to the TICT effect on fluorene and pyrazine rings due to enhanced solvent polarity. In addition, optically reversible acidofluorochromic properties were performed experimentally in both solvent and solid phases. For the acidic substances TFA and HF, which contain fluorine, new redshift peaks from 425 nm and 503 nm were observed upon reaction with the PDF solution, and the emission intensity was extinguished by more than 90 % and 60 %, respectively. Upon addition of TFA up to 1500 equal, the PDF mixture suffered from 50 % lower energy absorption intensity. The 1H NMR spectrum confirmed the proposed mechanism (TFA/TEA, ON-OFF-ON). Therefore, the present work presents a novel approach to fabricating ON-OFF-ON active-pull pyrazine scaffolds that can be used in DSEgens, referred to as "ON-OFF-ON" fluorescent sensors, for multifunctional applications.

Design of Metal Free Fluorescent Pyridine Dyes Anchored on Cadmium Sulfide Nanowires: Optical, Electrochemical and Photovoltaic Applications

Through a facile two-step synthetic procedure, three metal-free organic dyes having D-π-A kind of structure, belonging to chalcone family have been designed, produced and anchored on one dimensional cadmium sulfide nanowires (1D CdS NWs) to serve as a light energy harvester through dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) assembly. In order to anchor dye on CdS NWs nano-network, solution chemistry has been used in an easy and effective manner. The sensitizing capability of synthesized materials has been evaluated using optical and electrochemical studies, density functional theory (DFT) simulations, and photovoltaic performances. In line with a detailed analysis of fabricated Dye sensitized solar cells containing T4PC a photovoltaic efficiency yields 4.35 times (0.487%) more than that of bare CdS NWs (0.112%), while the other devices having T3PC and T2PC have shown 3.0 (0.338%) and 2.40 (0.273%) times greater photovoltaic efficiencies, respectively under standard light illumination. The obtained results offer solid evidence in favour of boosting external quantum efficiency (EQE) and reflect good agreement with the optical studies.

Highly emissions of TPA-linear based pyrazine derivatives with different mechanochromic luminosity

We designed the TPA-based linear pyrazine derivatives of PP-1 and PP-2, synthesized using the conventional Suzuki cross-linking reaction. It was followed by photophysical studies such as aprotic solvent (Haxene to DMF). A red-shift was observed from the non-polar aprotic solvent to the polar aprotic solvent, and the emission intensity was gradually decreased. In addition, the Aggregation-induced emission (AIE) effect has been studied against the DMF/water addition of linear pyrazine compounds. It showed a classic aggregation-caused quenching effect (ACQ) and red-shifted at an increase of (f_w) 0 to 40%. After this case, when the water fraction in these studies was increased by (fw) 50 to 90%, a blue shift and a mild AIE effect has occurred. And also, was investigated acidochromic effect of compounds PP-1 and PP-2 using TFA acid. Absorption and emission intensity were gradually reduced as the acid concentration increased for these studies, while the new peaks appeared red-shifted in the absorption spectrum. They were examined before and after exposure to UV light irradiation in the synthesized dye compounds.

Organic Single Crystals with High Photoluminescence Quantum Yields Close to 100% and High Mobility for Optoelectronic Devices

Organic single crystals with excellent optical and electrical properties are critical for the development of organic optoelectronics. Herein, two compounds 9,10-bis([N,N-diphenyl]-4'-phenylethynyl)anthracene (TPA-An) and 9,10-bis([1',3'-diphenyl]-5'-phenylethynyl)anthracene (TBA-An) are synthesized by introducing two different luminescent groups, triphenylamine and 1,3-diphenylbenzene, at the 9,10 positions of anthracene via triple bond connection. Single crystals based on TPA-An and TBA-An with a ribbon morphology obtained through the slow solvent-evaporation method exhibit high photoluminescence quantum yields (PLQYs) of 98% and 99% at room temperature, and remarkable hole mobilities of 0.45 and 0.15 cm² V^-1 s^-1 in single-crystal organic field-effect transistors (SC-OFETs). Furthermore, UV phototransistors based on the two single crystals obtain photosensitivities of 1.03 × 10³ and 3.45 × 10⁴ , ultrahigh photoresponsivities of 7.19 × 10⁵ and 1.50 × 10⁵ A W^-1 , and the detectivities exceeding 1.40 × 10¹⁶ and 1.60 × 10¹⁷ Jones.

Effect of hybridized local and charge transfer molecules rotation in excited state on exciton utilization

The fluorescent molecules utilizing hybridized local and charge-transfer (HLCT) state as potential organic light-emitting diodes materials attract extensive attention due to their high exciton utilization. In this work, we have performed the density functional theory method on three HLCT-state molecules to investigate their excited-state potential energy surface (PES). The calculated results indicate the T₁ and T₂ energy gap is quite large, and the T₂ is very close to S₁ in the energy level. The large gap is beneficial for inhibiting the internal conversion between T₁ and T₂, and quite closed S₁ and T₂ energies are favor for activating the T₂ → S₁ reverse intersystem crossing path. However, considering the singlet excited-state PES by twisting the triphenylamine (TPA) or diphenylamine (PA) group, it can be found that the TPA or PA group almost has no influence on T₁ and T₂ energy levels. However, the plots of S₁ PES display two kinds of results that the S₁ emissive state is dominated by charge-transfer (CT) or HLCT state. The CT emission state formation would decrease the S₁ energy level, enlarge the S₁ and T₂ gap, and impair the triplet exciton utilization. Therefore, understanding the relationship between the S₁ PES and molecular structures is important for designing high-performance luminescent materials utilizing HLCT state.

Recent progress in hot exciton materials for organic light-emitting diodes

According to Kasha's rule, high-lying excited states usually have little effect on fluorescence. However, in some molecular systems, the high-lying excited states partly or even mainly contribute to the photophysical properties, especially in the process of harvesting triplet excitons in organic electroluminescent devices. In the current review, we focus on a type of organic light-emitting diode (OLED) materials called "hot exciton" materials, which can effectively harness the non-radiative triplet excitons via reverse intersystem crossing (RISC) from high-lying triplet states to singlet states (T_n→ S_m; n≥ 2, m≥ 1). Since Ma and Yang proposed the hot exciton mechanism for OLED material design in 2012, there have been many reports aiming at the design and synthesis of novel hot exciton luminogens. Herein, we present a comprehensive review of the recent progress in hot exciton materials. The developments of the hot exciton mechanism are reviewed, the fundamental principles regarding molecular design are discussed, and representative reported hot exciton luminogens are summarized and analyzed, along with their structure-property relationships and OLED applications.

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Derivatives toward Ideal Electron-Transporting Materials for Organic Light-Emitting Diodes

One seemingly fundamental issue for electron-transporting materials (ETMs) in organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) is the mutual exclusion of a high electron-transporting mobility ( μ_e) and a large molecular triplet energy for good exciton confinement. Very recently, a trade-off was realized by adopting polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) derivatives as bipolar ETMs. Though the intrinsic low triplet energy of PAH moieties, good exciton confinement abilities are realized by manipulating the peripheral groups, integrating large μ_e values and long-term stabilities simultaneously. The resulting state-of-the-art OLED performances manifest the bright future of such ETMs. This Perspective summarizes the theoretical and experimental work relating to the relationship between the molecular structure of PAH-type ETMs and their electronic properties, focusing on charge transfer and exciton confinement abilities; the Perspective concludes by providing a vision of future developments in this field.

Derivatives of Cyanonaphthyl-Substituted Phenanthroimidazole as Blue Emitters for Nondoped Organic Light-Emitting Diodes

New multifunctional blue-emissive materials with superior thermal properties, viz., 4,4'-bis(1-(4-naphthyl)-1H-phenanthro[9,10-d]imidazol-2-yl)binaphthyl (NPIBN), 4,4'-bis(1-(4-cyanonaphthyl)-1H-phenanthro[9,10-d]imidazol-2-yl)biphenyl (CNPIBP), and 4,4'-bis(1-(4-cyanonaphthyl)-1H-phenanthro[9,10-d]imidazol-2-yl)binaphthyl (CNPIBN) have been synthesized. The said molecules show high photoluminescence quantum yield (Φs/f: NPIBN-0.75/0.68, CNPIBP-0.85/0.76, and CNPIBN-0.90/0.88). The fabricated nondoped/doped device with CNPIBN/4,4'-bis(carbazol-9-yl)biphenyl: CNPIBN display maximum efficiencies (ηex 4.96/5.4%; ηc 7.46/7.56 cd A-1; ηp 6.85/6.91 lm W-1) at low turn-on voltage (3.5/3.8 V). Nondoped devices based on D-π-A architecture, 4-(2-(5-(9H-carbazol-9-yl)thiophen-2-yl)-1H-phenanthro[9,10-d]imidazol-1-yl)naphthalene-1-carbonitrile exhibit maximum efficiencies (ηex 2.32%; ηc 4.00 cd A-1; ηp 3.42 lm W-1) compared to 4-(2-(5-(4-(diphenylamino)phenyl)thiophen-2-yl)-1H-phenanthro[9,10-d]imidazol-1-yl)naphthalene-1-carbonitrile (ηex 2.01%; ηc 3.89 cd A-1; ηp 3.15 lm W-1).

The design and synthesis of 2,3-diphenylquinoxaline amine derivatives as yellow-blue emissive materials for optoelectrochemical study

Yellow-blue emitting, donor–acceptor–donor (D–A–D) based bipolar quinoxaline–amine derivatives were designed and synthesized for their optoelectronic applications.

Feasible structure-modification strategy for inhibiting aggregation-caused quenching effect and constructing exciton conversion channels in acridone-based emitters

The introduction of multiple rotors donors and benzonitrile group in ADOs would increases effectively OLED emitters' performance by inhibiting aggregation-caused quenching effect and constructing exciton conversion channels.

Theoretical study of radiative and nonradiative decay rates for Cu(i) complexes with double heteroleptic ligands

Phosphorescence quantum yield increases significantly because k_r increases and k_nr decreases upon introducing electron-donating groups to N^N ligands.

Synthesis, photophysical and electrochemical properties and DSSC applications of triphenylamine chalcone dendrimers via click chemistry

Fluorene-cored dendrimers containing a triphenylamine chalcone unit at the periphery have been synthesized by click chemistry approach, and their photophysical and electrochemical properties have been investigated.

Novel electroluminescent donor–acceptors based on dibenzo[a,c]phenazine as hole-transporting materials for organic electronics

Novel yellow-green fluorescent 3,6,11-trisubstitued-dibenzo[a,c]phenazine derivatives were synthesized via a Buchwald–Hartwig palladium-catalyzed C–N amination reaction for the hole-transporting materials.

Up to 100% Formation Ratio of Doublet Exciton in Deep-Red Organic Light-Emitting Diodes Based on Neutral π-Radical

In a neutral π-radical-based organic light-emitting diode (OLED), although the emission comes from the doublet excitons and their transition to the ground state is spin-allowed, the upper limit of internal quantum efficiency (IQE) is not clear, 50% or 100%? In this work, the deep-red OLEDs based on a neutral π-radical were fabricated. Up to 100% doublet exciton formation ratio was obtained through rational designing device structure and host-guest doping system. This indicates the IQE of neutral π-radical-based OLEDs will reach 100% if the nonradiative pathways of radicals can be suppressed. The maximum external quantum efficiency of the optimized device is as high as 4.3%, which is among the highest values of deep-red/near-infrared OLEDs with nonphosphorescent materials as emitters. Our results also indicate that using partially reduced radical mixture as emitter may be a way to solve aggregation-caused quenching in radical-based OLEDs.

Dibenzothiophene Sulfone-Based Phosphine Oxide Electron Transporters with Unique Asymmetry for High-Efficiency Blue Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence Diodes

Three asymmetrical electron transporters as dibenzothiophene sulfone (DBSO)-diphenylphosphine oxide (DPPO) hybrids, collectively named mnDBSODPO, were designed and prepared. All of these materials achieve the high triplet energy of ∼3.0 eV to restrain the exciton linkage from emissive layers. The dependence of inductive and steric effects for DPPO groups on the substitution position, the intermolecular interaction suppression, the encapsulations of high-polar DBSO cores, and the favorable electrical performance are successfully integrated on 36DBSODPO, which can simultaneously suppress the exciton quenching by formation of an interfacial dipole and enhancing the charge flux balance. As a result, 36DBSODPO endowed its tetralayer blue thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) devices with impressive performance, including the maximum external quantum efficiency around 19%, and reduced efficiency roll-offs, which verifies the great potential of asymmetrical electron transporting materials for highly efficient TADF devices.

Synthesis and opto-electrochemical properties of tribenzo[a,c,i]phenazine derivatives for hole transport materials

In this work, five novel 3,6-disubstituted-tribenzo[a,c,i]phenazine (2–6) derivatives were synthesized in good yield by employing a palladium catalyzed C–N bond forming amination reaction and fully characterized.

Synthesis and optoelectronic investigations of triarylamines based on naphtho[2,3-f]quinoxaline-7,12-dione core as donor–acceptors for n-type materials

We have synthesized a new series of fully characterized donor–acceptor systems (2–7) involving electron donor triarylamines and electron acceptor naphtho[2,3-f]quinoxaline-7,12-dione by employing palladium catalyzed C–N bond forming amination reactions in good yields.

Highly efficient near ultraviolet organic light-emitting diode based on a meta-linked donor-acceptor molecule

A meta-linked donor–acceptor (D–A) structure was utilized to achieve high-efficiency and colour-purity near ultraviolet (NUV) in organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs).

A novel near ultraviolet (NUV) emitter with a meta-linked donor–acceptor (D–A) structure between triphenylamine (TPA) and phenanthroimidazole (PPI), mTPA–PPI, was designed and synthesized. This molecular design is expected to resolve the conflict between the non-red-shifted emission and the introduction of a charge-transfer (CT) state in the D–A system, aiming at NUV organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) with high-efficiency and colour-purity. Theoretical calculations and photophysical experiments were implemented to verify the unique excited state properties of mTPA–PPI. The mTPA–PPI device exhibited excellent NUV electroluminescence (EL) performance with an emission peak at 404 nm, a full width at half maximum (FWHM) of only 47 nm corresponding to a CIE coordinate of (0.161, 0.049), and a maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 3.33%, which is among the best results for NUV OLEDs. This work not only demonstrates the promising potential of mTPA–PPI in NUV OLEDs, but also provides a valuable strategy for the rational design of NUV materials by using the meta-linked D–A architecture.

The effect of meta coupling on colour purity, quantum yield, and exciton utilizing efficiency in deep-blue emitters from phenanthroimidazole isomers

Three isomers were employed to investigate the essential reason for the meta-tuning effect on their PL and EL properties.

First principles study of the structural, electronic, and transport properties of triarylamine-based nanowires

We investigate with state of the art density functional theory the structural, electronic, and transport properties of a class of recently synthesized nanostructures based on triarylamine derivatives. First, we consider the single molecule precursors in the gas phase and calculate their static properties, namely (i) the geometrical structure of the neutral and cationic ions, (ii) the electronic structure of the frontier molecular orbitals, and (iii) the ionization potential, hole extraction potential, and internal reorganization energy. This initial study does not evidence any direct correlation between the properties of the individual molecules and their tendency to self-assembly. Subsequently, we investigate the charge transport characteristics of the triarylamine derivatives nanowires, by using Marcus theory. For one derivative we further construct an effective Hamiltonian including intermolecular vibrations and evaluate the mobility from the Kubo formula implemented with Monte Carlo sampling. These two methods, valid respectively in the sequential hopping and polaronic band limit, give us values for the room-temperature mobility in the range 0.1-12 cm(2)/Vs. Such estimate confirms the superior transport properties of triarylamine-based nanowires, and make them an attracting materials platform for organic electronics.

Construction of high efficiency non-doped deep blue emitters based on phenanthroimidazole: remarkable substitution effects on the excited state properties and device performance

Remarkable substitution effects on the excited state properties and device performance are observed by tuning the coupling position.

T-shaped donor-acceptor molecules for low-loss red-emission optical waveguide

A series of T-shaped polycyclic molecules with high fluorescence were developed as optical waveguide materials. Their emissions covered almost the whole visible range from 450 to 800 nm. Compound 3-1 showed an optical loss coefficient about 0.29 dB/μm in red-emission waveguide. Our investigations demonstrated that these molecules held great potential for organic optical waveguide due to the high fluorescence quantum efficiency and large Stokes' shift.

Long-range corrected DFT calculations of charge-transfer integrals in model metal-free phthalocyanine complexes

An assessment of several widely used exchange-correlation potentials in computing charge-transfer integrals is performed. In particular, we employ the recently proposed Coulomb-attenuated model which was proven by other authors to improve upon conventional functionals in the case of charge-transfer excitations. For further validation, two distinct approaches to compute the property in question are compared for a phthalocyanine dimer.