Non-doped red-green-blue electroluminescence for fumaronitrile and fluorene bridge with pyrenyl or phenanthrylamino group

• Published in: Thin solid films 2016-11, Vol.619, p.166-173
• Main Authors: Zhang, Wenguan, Liang, Chunjun, He, Zhiqun, Wang, Yongsheng, Zhao, Shengmin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Donor–acceptor; Fluorene; Fumaronitrile; Non-doped electroluminescence; Phenanthrene; Pyrene
• ISSN: 0040-6090; 1879-2731
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tsf.2016.10.073

A red-emitting bis(4-(N-(1-pyrenyl)-3,5-dimethylphenylamino)phenyl)fumaronitrile (3) and a green-emitting 2,7-bis(N-1-pyrenyl-3,5-dimethylphenylamino)-9,9-diethylfluorene (4) were synthesized, while a red emissive bis(4-(N-(9-phenanthryl)-3,5-dimethylphenylamino)phenyl)fumaronitrile (5) and a blue 2,7-bis(N-9-phenanthryl-3,5-dimethylphenylamino)-9,9-diethylfluorene (6) were reported previously. The bulky and non-planar phenanthryl or pyrenyl amino substituent created steric torsional hindrance to restrict intermolecular aggregation and to promote high carrier mobility, thermal stability and luminous efficiency. The red non-doped devices for donor–π–acceptor 3 and 5 showed electroluminescent (EL) peaks at 668 and 652nm with luminance (external quantum) efficiencies of 3.45cd/A (6.89%), and 2.52cd/A (3.74%), respectively. 4 exhibited EL peak at 500nm with efficiency of 2.18cd/A (0.81%). The device based on 6 was centered at 460nm with efficiency of 1.86cd/A (1.16%). The large planar pyrenyl group had stronger electron-donating ability than phenanthryl group, so the EL emissions from 3 and 4 redshifted compared with those from the homologous 5 and 6. EL efficiency was improved more effectively by pyrenyl unit than by phenanthryl unit. The prepared compounds were multifunctional materials with emitting and hole-transporting properties. •EL emissions from fumaronitrile and fluorene bridge with phenanthryl or pyrenylamine.•The four dyes acted as both emitters and hole-transporting materials in EL devices.•Red devices emitted at 668 and 652nm with efficiencies of 3.45 (6.89), and 2.52cd/A (3.74%).•Green and blue ones emitted at 500 and 460nm with efficiencies of 2.18 and 1.86cd/A.•The large planar pyrenyl had stronger electron-donating ability than phenanthryl.