Solution-processable phosphorescent to organic light-emitting diodes based on chromophoric amphiphile/silica nanocomposite

Abstract

We report the synthesis of a tris-cyclometalated iridium complex which emits sky-blue light and its potential use in phosphorescent light-emitting devices. The hybrid meso-structured nanocomposites by sol-gel co-assembly with tetraethyl ortho-silicate and corresponding molecular interactions within mesopores were also demonstrated. Electroluminescent devices were fabricated using carbazole-based monomers and iridium complex as the active layer, acting as a host/guest system through a co-assembled sol-gel process. Devices based on this nanocomposite showed improved luminescent efficiencies several times higher than that of similar chromophores elaborated in the literature. A triple-layer electroluminescence device with the configuration of ITO/PEDOT/Ir(F2OC11ppy)(3):CA-C11:PBD nanocomposite/TPBI/Ca/Al showed a maximum brightness of 1389 cd m(-2) at 12 V and a maximum efficiency of 3.29 cd A(-1).