New applications of poly(arylene ether)s in organic light-emitting diodes

The Molecular Design and Electroluminescent Performance of Near-Infrared (NIR) Iridium(III) Complexes Bearing Isoquinoline-, Phthalazine- and Phenazine-Based Ligands

Near-infrared (NIR) light has characteristics of invisibility to human eyes, less background interference, low light scattering, and strong cell penetration. Therefore, NIR luminescent materials have significant applications in imaging, sensing, energy, information storage and display. The development of NIR luminescent materials thus has emerged as a highly dynamic area of research in the realm of contemporary materials. To date, NIR luminescent materials are roughly divided into inorganic materials and organic materials. Compared with inorganic materials, organic NIR luminescent materials have become a hot research topic in recent years due to their rich sources, easy control of structure, simple preparation process, low cost, and good film-forming properties. Among them, iridium(III) [Ir(III)] complexes exhibit excellent properties such as thermal stability, simple synthesis, easy color modulation, short excited state lifetimes, and high brightness, thus becoming one of the ideal luminescent material systems for preparing high-quality organic light-emitting diodes. Therefore, how to obtain Ir(III) complexes with NIR emission and high efficiency through molecular design is a necessary and promising research topic. This work reviews the research progress of representative NIR Ir(III) complexes bearing isoquinoline-, phenazine-, and phthalazine-based ligands reported in recent years and introduces the design strategies and electroluminescent performances of NIR Ir(III) complexes.

Multiple Stimulus Response Material Based on Sr-tcbpe MOF for Mechanochromism, Visualization Labeling, and Etching Toward TNP

The abuse and excessive discharge of organic pollutants such as nitroaromatic compounds (NACs) have become a hot topic of concern for all humanity and society, and the development of fast, effective, and targeted technical means for detecting NACs also faces many challenges. Here, we reported a strontium-based metal-organic framework (MOF) {[Sr2(tcbpe)(H2O)4]}n (Sr-tcbpe), in which tcbpe represents deprotonated 4',4‴,4″‴,4‴‴-(ethene-1,1,2,2-tetrayl)tetrakis(([1,1'biphenyl]-4-carboxylic acid)). In Sr-tcbpe, Sr-O polyhedron and deprotonated tcbpe4- ligand have a staggered connection to form a self-assembled three-dimensional network structure. In addition, it is found that Sr-tcbpe undergoes no luminescent color change when grinding under solvent protection, while mechanochromic fluorescence behavior is observed when grinding directly, leading to luminescent color changes from cyan to green (Sr-tcbpe-G). Additionally, Sr-tcbpe and Sr-tcbpe-G could selectively detect PNP, DNP, and TNP, and Sr-tcbpe achieves visual fluorescence sensing detection toward TNP at a limit of detection as low as 2.25 μM. Moreover, during the detection process, unexpectedly, TNP exhibits a selective etching effect on Sr-tcbpe, which could drill nano holes with different sizes on the surface area of MOF materials to a certain extent, achieving the conversion of chemical energy to mechanical energy. In addition, the successful preparation of a portable sensor Sr-tcbpe@gypsum block provides a platform for the perfect combination of mechanochromic fluorescence behavior and visualization detection toward TNP. It lays the foundation for the practical application of MOF materials in daily life.

Fluorescent Aromatic Polyether Sulfones: Processable, Scalable, Efficient, and Stable Polymer Emitters and Their Single-Layer Polymer Light-Emitting Diodes

In this study, fully aromatic polyether sulfones were developed, bearing blue, yellow, and orange-red π-conjugated semiconducting units. Carbazole-, anthracene-, and benzothiadiazole-based fluorophores are copolymerized with a diphenylsulfone moiety. A diphenylpyridine comonomer was additionally utilized, acting as both a solubilizing unit and a weak blue fluorescent group. Using this rationale, fluorescent polyarylethers with high molecular weights, up to 70 kDa, were developed, showing film formation ability and high thermal stability, while preserving excellent solubility in common organic, nonvolatile, and nonchlorinated solvents. Fine-tuning of the emission color was achieved through subtle changes of the comonomers' type and ratio. Single-chromophore-bearing copolymers emitted in the blue or the yellow region of the visible spectrum, while the dual-chromophore-bearing terpolymers emitted throughout the visible spectrum, resulting in white light emission. Solutions of 20 wt% in polar aprotic solvents at ambient conditions allowed the deposition of fluorescent copolyethers and printing from non-chlorinated solvents. All polyethers were evaluated for their structural and optoelectronic properties, and selected copolymers were successfully used in the emitting layer (EML) of organic light-emitting diode (OLED) devices, using either rigid or flexible substrates. Remarkable color stability was displayed in all cases for up to 15 V of bias voltage. The Commission Internationale de L'Eclairage (CIE) of the fabricated devices is located in the blue (0.16, 0.16), yellow (0.44, 0.50), or white region of the visible spectrum (0.33, 0.38) with minimal changes according to the ratio of the comonomers. The versatile methodology toward semiconducting polyethersulfones for polymer light-emitting diodes (PLEDs) developed herein led to the scaled-up production of luminescent polymers of up to 25 g of high-molecular-weight single batches, demonstrating the effectiveness of this approach as a straightforward tool to facilitate the synthesis of flexible and printable EMLs for large-area PLED coverage.

Two Birds with One Stone: Polymerized Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence Small Molecules

Thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) polymers show a great potential in low-cost, large-area and flexible full-color flat-panel displays. One of the most promising design rules is based on TADF+Linker, where a small molecular TADF unit is bonded to each other by a simple linker. Unlike the expensive vacuum deposition for small molecules, these polymerized TADF small molecules (Poly-TADF-SMs) are capable of cost-effective solution processing. Meanwhile, the good luminescent property of small molecular TADF emitters can be well inherited by Poly-TADF-SMs so as to bridge the efficiency gap between small molecules and polymers. Herein, we will highlight the recent progress of Poly-TADF-SMs, together with emphasis on their molecular design, photophysical and electroluminescence properties.

Poly(arylene ether)s-Based Polymeric Membranes Applied for Water Purification in Harsh Environment Conditions: A Mini-Review

Confronting the pressing challenge of freshwater scarcity, polymeric membrane-based water treatment technology has emerged as an essential and effective approach. Poly(arylene ether)s (PAEs) polymers, a class of high-performance engineering thermoplastics, have garnered attention in recent decades as promising membrane materials for advanced water treatment approaches. The PAE-Based membranes are employed to resist the shortages of most common polymeric membranes, such as chemical instability, structural damage, membrane fouling, and shortened lifespan when deployed in harsh environments, owing to their excellent comprehensive performance. This article presents the advancements in the research of several typical PAEs, including poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK), polyethersulfone (PES), and poly(arylene ether nitrile) (PEN). Techniques for membrane formation, modification strategies, and applications in water treatment have been reviewed. The applications encompass processes for oil/water separation, desalination, and wastewater treatment, which involve the removal of heavy metal ions, dyes, oils, and other organic pollutants. The commendable performance of these membranes has been summarized in terms of corrosion resistance, high-temperature resistance, anti-fouling properties, and durability in challenging environments. In addition, several recommendations for further research aimed at developing efficient and robust PAE-based membranes are proposed.

Diversification of Complex Diaryl Ethers via Diaryliodonium Intramolecular Aryl Rearrangement

In this study, we present an efficient site-selective O-arylation method applicable to a broad range of complex arenes involving intramolecular aryl rearrangement. The reaction was facilitated by diaryliodonium salts bearing vicinal trifluoromethanesulfonate (OTf) groups. The procedure was initiated with selective C-H bond activation of arenes, which were then converted into diaryl ethers through nucleophilic aromatic substitution (SNAr). This synthetic method successfully affords complex diaryl ether derivatives, showcasing its practicality for the diversification of functionalized arenes and pharmaceutical agents.

Fabrication and application of 2,4,6-trinitrophenol sensors based on fluorescent functional materials

2,4,6-Trinitrophenol (TNP) has been widely used for a long time. The adverse effects of TNP on ecological environment and human health have promoted researchers to develop various methods for detecting TNP. Among multifarious technologies utilized for the TNP detection, fluorescence strategy based on different functional materials has become an effective and efficient method attributed to its merits such as preferable sensitivity and selectivity, rapid response speed, simple operation, and lower cost, which is also the focus of review. This review summarizes the development status of fluorescence sensors for TNP in a detailed and systematic way, especially focusing on the research progress since 2015. The sensing properties of fluorescent materials for TNP are the core of this review, including nanomaterials, organic small molecules, emerging supramolecular systems, aggregation induced emission materials and others. Moreover, the development direction and prospect of fluorescence sensing method in the field of TNP detection are introduced and discussed at the end of review.

Solution-Processible Blue Fluorescent Dendrimers with Carbazole/Diphenylamine Hybrid Dendrons for Power-Efficient Organic Light-Emitting Diodes

Two blue fluorescent dendrimers named PVAC2 and PVACA have been newly synthesized and investigated, where the carbazole/diphenylamine hybrid dendron is adopted instead of oligocarbazole. Compared with the reference dendrimer PVCt3, the emission maxima of PVAC2 and PVACA are found to be red-shifted accompanied by a slight reduction of the photoluminescence quantum yield in films. Most importantly, the highest occupied molecular orbital level is elevated from -5.35 eV of PVCt3 to -5.20 eV of PVAC2 and -4.95 eV of PVACA. Because of the favored hole injection, the turn-on voltage is accordingly decreased from 3.6 to 3.2 and 2.6 V. The value of PVACA is even lower than the theoretical limit of 2.78 V. In addition, PVAC2 exhibited the best nondoped device performance, showing a nearly doubled power efficiency of 4.80 lm/W relative to PVCt3 (2.37 lm/W). The results clearly indicate that dendron engineering is also a promising strategy to develop solution-processible blue fluorescent dendrimers capable of being used for power-efficient organic light-emitting diodes.

Teaching an Old Poly(arylene ether) New Tricks: Efficient Blue Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence

Polymer light-emitting diodes are attractive for optoelectronic applications owing to their brightness and ease of processing. However, often metals have to be inserted to increase the luminescence efficiency, and producing blue emitters is a challenge. Here we present a strategy to make blue thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) polymers by directly embedding a small molecular blue TADF emitter into a poly(aryl ether) (PAE) backbone. Thanks to the oxygen-induced negligible electronic communication between neighboring TADF fragments, its corresponding blue delayed fluorescence can be inherited by the developed polymers. These polymers are free from metal catalyst contamination and show improved thermal stability. Through device optimization, a current efficiency of 29.7 cd/A (21.2 lm/W, 13.2%) is realized together with Commission Internationale de L'Eclairage coordinates of (0.18, 0.32). The value is competitive with blue phosphorescent polymers, highlighting the importance of the PAE backbone in achieving high-performance blue delayed fluorescence at a macromolecular level.

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Directly embedding a small molecular blue TADF emitter in a poly(aryl ether) backbone

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Oxygen-induced negligible electron communication leads to blue delayed fluorescence

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The achieved device efficiency is competitive with blue phosphorescent polymers

Highly Efficient Phosphorescent Furo[3,2-c]pyridine Based Iridium Complexes with Tunable Emission Colors over the Whole Visible Range

A series of highly efficient phosphorescent Ir complexes with tunable emission colors over the whole visible range have been designed and synthesized based on furo[3,2-c]pyridine ligand. By mainly varying the molecular structures of the C-chelated blocks, the emission maxima of these complexes can be obviously tailored from 477 to 641 nm while keeping the considerable photoluminescence quantum yields (PLQYs) (0.55-0.78 at wavelength of 475-560 nm and 0.10-0.34 at wavelength of 590-640 nm). Correspondingly, the phosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) achieve high-performance greenish-blue, green, greenish-yellow, orange, red, and deep-red electrophosphorescence, revealing state-of-art external quantum efficiences (EQEs) of 20.0% (46.6 cd/A), 31.8% (89.0 cd/A), 19.9% (71.9 cd/A), 16.6% (38.9 cd/A), 12.0% (16.7 cd/A), and 8.5% (7.3 cd/A) as well as Commision Internationale de L'Eclairage (CIE) coordinates of (0.25, 0.48), (0.30, 0.58), (0.43, 0.54), (0.62, 0.37), (0.66, 0.32), and (0.70, 0.29), respectively. The results clearly demonstrate the great potential of furo[3,2-c]pyridine based phosphors used for full-color OLED displays.

Optical and Photophysical Investigation of (2E)-1-(2,5-Dimethylfuran-3-Yl)-3-(9-Ethyl-9H-Carbazol-3-Yl)Prop-2-en-1-One (DEPO) by Spectrofluorometer in Organized Medium

(2E)-1-(2,5-dimethylfuran-3-yl)-3-(9-ethyl-9H-carbazol-3-yl)prop-2-en-1-one (DEPO) was prepared by the reaction of 9-ethyl-9H-carbazole-3-carbaldehyde with 1-(2,5-dimethylfuran-3-yl)ethanone under microwave irradiation. The structure of DEPO was established experimentally by EI-MS, FT-IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectral studies. Electronic absorption and emission spectra of DEPO were studied in different solvents on the basis of polarities, and the obtain data were used to determine the solvatochromic properties such as extinction coefficient, oscillator strength, transition dipole moment, stokes shift, fluorescence quantum yield and photochemical quantum yield. Photochemical quantum yield (Φ _c ) of DEPO dye was determined in different solvent. The dye comparatively photostable in DMSO but undergoes photodecomposition in chloro methane solvents. The DEPO dye may be use as probe or quencher to determine critical micelle concentration (CMC) of cetyltri methyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS).