High efficiency blue organic light-emitting diodes with below-bandgap electroluminescence.

Blue organic light-emitting diodes require high triplet interlayer materials, which induce large energetic barriers at the interfaces resulting in high device voltages and reduced efficiencies. Here, we alleviate this issue by designing a low triplet energy hole transporting interlayer with high mobility, combined with an interface exciplex that confines excitons at the emissive layer/electron transporting material interface. As a result, blue thermally activated delay fluorescent organic light-emitting diodes with a below-bandgap turn-on voltage of 2.5 V and an external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 41.2% were successfully fabricated. These devices also showed suppressed efficiency roll-off maintaining an EQE of 34.8% at 1000 cd m-2. Our approach paves the way for further progress through exploring alternative device engineering approaches instead of only focusing on the demanding synthesis of organic compounds with complex structures.

Suppressing the Photocatalytic Activity of Zinc Oxide Electron-Transport Layer in Nonfullerene Organic Solar Cells with a Pyrene-Bodipy Interlayer.

Organic solar cells based on nonfullerene acceptors have recently witnessed a significant rise in their power conversion efficiency values. However, they still suffer from severe instability issues, especially in an inverted device architecture based on the zinc oxide bottom electron transport layers. In this work, we insert a pyrene-bodipy donor-acceptor dye as a thin interlayer at the photoactive layer/zinc oxide interface to suppress the degradation reaction of the nonfullerene acceptor caused by the photocatalytic activity of zinc oxide. In particular, the pyrene-bodipy-based interlayer inhibits the direct contact between the nonfullerene acceptor and zinc oxide hence preventing the decomposition of the former by zinc oxide under illumination with UV light. As a result, the device photostability was significantly improved. The π-π interaction between the nonfullerene acceptor and the bodipy part of the interlayer facilitates charge transfer from the nonfullerene acceptor toward pyrene, which is followed by intramolecular charge transfer to bodipy part and then to zinc oxide. The bodipy-pyrene modified zinc oxide also increased the degree of crystallization of the photoactive blend and the face-on stacking of the polymer donor molecules within the blend hence contributing to both enhanced charge transport and increased absorption of the incident light. Furthermore, it decreased the surface work function as well as surface energy of the zinc oxide film all impacting in improved power conversion efficiency values of the fabricated cells with champion devices reaching values up to 9.86 and 11.80% for the fullerene and nonfullerene-based devices, respectively.

Photophysical and Protonation Time Resolved Studies of Donor-Acceptor Branched Systems With Pyridine Acceptors.

A comparative study of the photophysical properties of octupolar pyridyl-terminated triphenylamine molecule, with its quadrupolar and dipolar analogues, by means of ambient and low temperature steady state spectroscopy and femtosecond to nanosecond time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy is reported. The push-pull molecules bear triphenylamine electron donating core, pyridine peripheral electron acceptors, and acetylene π-bridge. The samples were studied in solvents of varying polarity and also upon addition of small amounts of acetic acid to induce protonation of the pyridine group. All samples exhibit significant positive fluorescence solvatochromism as well as a relaxation of their excited state to a solvent relaxed intramolecular charge transfer state on the picosecond time scale. For the octupolar compound, excited state relaxation occurs simultaneously with excitation energy hopping among the branches. The hopping time is solvent polarity controlled since it becomes slower as the polarity increases. The experimental hopping times are compared to those predicted by Förster and Fermi formulations. The samples are capable of emitting broadband light covering almost the whole visible spectrum by careful control of protonation. Energy transfer from the neutral toward the protonated species on the 1 ps time scale is revealed.

Functionalized Zinc Porphyrins with Various Peripheral Groups for Interfacial Electron Injection Barrier Control in Organic Light Emitting Diodes.

Here, we use a simple and effective method to accomplish energy level alignment and thus electron injection barrier control in organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) with a conventional architecture based on a green emissive copolymer. In particular, a series of functionalized zinc porphyrin compounds bearing π-delocalized triazine electron withdrawing spacers for efficient intramolecular electron transfer and different terminal groups such as glycine moieties in their peripheral substitutes are employed as thin interlayers at the emissive layer/Al (cathode) interface to realize efficient electron injection/transport. The effects of spatial (i.e., assembly) configuration, molecular dipole moment and type of peripheral group termination on the optical properties and energy level tuning are investigated by steady-state and time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy in F8BT/porphyrin films, by photovoltage measurements in OLED devices and by surface work function measurements in Al electrodes modified with the functionalized zinc porphyrins. The performance of OLEDs is significantly improved upon using the functionalized porphyrin interlayers with the recorded luminance of the devices to reach values 1 order of magnitude higher than that of the reference diode without any electron injection/transport interlayer.

Formation of a highly-ordered rigid multichromophoric 3D supramolecular network by combining ionic and coordination-driven self-assembly.

We present here the self-assembly of a green-emitting metallosupramolecular rhomboid into a rigid, highly-ordered 3D multichromophoric network through the mediation of a tetra-anionic violet-blue molecular emitter. Control was obtained on the spatial topology, the electronic energy landscape and the fluorescence polarization of the interacting dipoles.

Energy transfer within self-assembled cyclic multichromophoric arrays based on orthogonally arranged donor-acceptor building blocks.

We herein present the coordination-driven supramolecular synthesis and photophysics of a [4+4] and a [2+2] assembly, built up by alternately collocated donor-acceptor chromophoric building blocks based, respectively, on the boron dipyrromethane (Bodipy) and perylene bisimide dye (PBI). In these multichromophoric scaffolds, the intensely absorbing/emitting dipoles of the Bodipy subunit are, by construction, cyclically arranged at the corners and aligned perpendicular to the plane formed by the closed polygonal chain comprising the PBI units. Steady-state and fs time-resolved spectroscopy reveal the presence of efficient energy transfer from the vertices (Bodipys) to the edges (PBIs) of the polygons. Fast excitation energy hopping - leading to a rapid excited state equilibrium among the low energy perylene-bisimide chromophores - is revealed by fluorescence anisotropy decays. The dynamics of electronic excitation energy hopping between the PBI subunits was approximated on the basis of a theoretical model within the framework of Förster energy transfer theory. All energy-transfer processes are quantitatively describable with Förster theory. The influence of structural deformations and orientational fluctuations of the dipoles in certain kinetic schemes is discussed.

Highly efficient and unidirectional energy transfer within a tightly self-assembled host-guest multichromophoric array.

The coordination-driven synthesis of a rhomboid cavitand composed of two different Bodipys and its inclusion complex with 1,3,6,8-tetrasulfopyrene via ionic self-assembly was established by X-ray crystallography. Highly efficient and unidirectional intra-host and guest-to-host energy transfer was demonstrated by femtosecond fluorescence spectroscopy.

Efficient supramolecular synthesis of a robust circular light-harvesting Bodipy-dye based array.

We herein present the supramolecular construction of a completely fluorescent unquenched multichromophoric wheel consisting of boron dipyrromethene dyes arranged perpendicularly to the circular plane.

Controlling the stereospecificity of a volume-conserving adiabatic photoisomerization within a nanotubular self-assembled cage: a reversible light-heat torque converter.

We present herein a host-guest supramolecular system by which we were able to obtain precise control of the stereospecificity of a new and unusual adiabatic photoisomerization reaction capable of restoring reversibly the original configuration. The host-guest system is composed of (a) a naphthalene ring linked centrosymmetrically-via sp(2) hybridized oxygen atoms-with methoxytriethyleneglycol chains (1) and (b) a nanotubular cage formed by four self-assembled face-to-face ß-cyclodextrins threaded onto the long "axle" of 1. The compound 1 can exist in distinct cis,cis, cis,trans, and trans,trans conformations that are spectrally distinguishable (see Scheme 1 ). Spectroscopic and kinetic manifestations of the torsional isomerization of 1 in the lowest excited singlet state both in solution and within the tubular cage were investigated. The results provide clear evidence that the compact cavity completely blocks the photoisomerization pathway manifested in common solution (cis,cis* → cis,trans*), allowing observation of stereospecific, volume-conserving turning of the naphthalene ring about the two "quasidouble" bonds C(Naph)-O by φ ≈ 180° (cis,cis* → trans,trans*). The photoisomerization is purely adiabatic, and the encaged molecule restores its original configuration by generating torque thermally, when relaxing to the ground state.

Coordination-driven self assembly of a brilliantly fluorescent rhomboid cavitand composed of bodipy-dye subunits.

The two sp(3) hybridized fluorine atoms of a Bodipy dye have been synthetically replaced with the linear donor ligand 4-ethynylpyridine (-C≡C-Py) to form a rigid and highly symmetrical 109.5° building block in which the fluorophore subunit is vertically aligned to the plane formed by the -C≡C-Py donors. Upon reaction of the above tecton with a 90° organoplatinum acceptor unit, an intensely fluorescent rhomboid cavitand was manifested in solution. In contrast to the vast majority of coordination-driven self-assembled chromophoric systems, the present one fully conserves the excellent photophysical properties of the parent Bodipy dye. These unique features of the present metallosupramolecular entity constitute a fascinating metal-to-ligand self-assembled prototype for building compact and intensely luminescent materials with host-guest capabilities.

Medium effect on the geometric isomerism of a centrosymmetrically disubstituted naphthalene derivative with flexible methoxytriethylene glycol chains.

The geometric isomeric diversity of a centrosymmetrically disubstituted naphthalene derivative with flexible methoxytriethyleneglycol chains has been investigated both in the liquid and the solid state. Owing to the fact that the exocyclic C(Aryl)-O linking appears to be essentially a double bond, the material can exist in discrete geometric isomers. Variable temperature ultraviolet absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy combined with single crystal X-ray diffraction reveal the nature of the various stereoisomers present in the liquid and solid phase. Computational support is also given wherever possible. In solution, the material exists predominantly as a mixture of two rapidly interconverting stereoisomers; namely, the thermodynamically preferred cis, cis and the energetically closest lying cis, trans configuration. In the solid state, optical spectroscopic methods provide evidence for the presence of a small amount of the energetically highly unstable trans, trans stereoisomer, kinetically trapped in the lattice defined by the scaffold of the predominant cis, cis isomeric form. Unlocking of the seemingly frozen cis, cis right arrow over left arrow trans, trans equilibrium was observed in the molten state.

Pure isolation and stabilization of energetically highly disfavored geometric isomers by controlling the stereoselectivity of supramolecular interactions in tailored host-guest systems.

Energetically highly disfavored geometric isomers are present in only trace amounts in solution and hence cannot be clearly observed by conventional spectroscopic methods. Here, we provide spectroscopic evidence that a suitably sized/shaped cavitand (alpha-cyclodextrin) can discriminate distinctive stereochemical differences between all possible cis-trans stereoisomers of a qualified compound, showing selective recognition solely for the target unstable isomer. We tested a set of guests, and we were able to obtain, for each one separately, purely thermodynamic selectivity of the host for the energetically highly dispreferred stereoisomer among all other equilibrating geometric isomers under ambient conditions.

Torsional photoisomerization proceeding adiabatically through a volume-conserving pathway in uninhibited fluid media.

Doing the hula twist? A photochemically stimulated inversion of an sp(2)-hybridized oxygen atom upon simultaneous rotation of two adjacent bonds may be possible in a pure singlet excited potential energy surface in uninhibited fluid media (see scheme).

Novel hybrid materials consisting of regioregular poly(3-octylthiophene)s covalently attached to single-wall carbon nanotubes.

Facile routes for the synthesis of hybrid materials consisting of regioregular poly(3-octylthiophene)s covalently attached to single-wall carbon nanotubes are presented for the first time. These materials are easily processable using common organic solvents, and at the same time combine the properties of regioregular poly(3-alkylthiophene)s with those of single-wall carbon nanotubes. Moreover, studies of the properties of these materials have provided strong evidence for an electron transfer from the regioregular poly(3-octylthiophene) to the single-wall carbon nanotube.

Experimental evidence for a highly reversible excited state equilibrium between s-cis and s-trans rotational isomers of 2-methoxynaphthalene in solution.

Detailed studies on the kinetics and the thermodynamics of the excited-state torsional isomerization of the title molecule (1) relative to exocyclic C2-O bond, when dissolved in 3-methylpentane, are reported by means of nontime- and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. Over the broad temperature range studied, 1 exists in spectrally distinct, thermally equilibrated s-cis and s-trans conformations in the ground state (S(0)). In the lowest excited singlet state (S(1)) and above 260 K a pure adiabatic interconversion channel is activated that interconverts s-cis* and s-trans* conformers through a nearly fully reversible isomerization pathway with an activation energy of about 29 kJ/mol. The excited-state equilibrium constant is found to be remarkably temperature-independent just barely exceeding 1 above 260 K. Contrary to the predominantly irreversible photoisomerization mechanism generally observed in related compounds, this work provides insights into the high reversibility of an excited-state rotameric equilibration in solution.

Cyclodextrin cavity size effect on the complexation and rotational dynamics of the laser dye 2,5-diphenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazole: from singly occupied complexes to their nanotubular self-assemblies.

The general complexation scheme as well as the dynamic features of the supramolecular structures resulting from the interaction of the laser dye 2,5-diphenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazole (PPD) with the naturally occurring alpha-, beta-, and gamma-cyclodextrins in water are studied by means of fluorescence spectroscopy, both steady-state (SS) and time-resolved (TR). PPD interacts weakly, from a thermodynamic point of view, with alpha-cyclodextrin (alpha-CD), forming 1:1 complexes with an association constant of K(11) = 85 +/- 4 M(-1). However, the local motion of the substrate (PPD) with respect to the ligand (CD) in the complexed form is hindered; namely, dynamically, they are strongly coupled and only a global tumbling motion, = 370 +/- 30 ps, of the whole adduct is observed. The next homologue beta-CD also forms 1:1 entities with PPD, but although the binding strength of reactants (K(11) = 682 +/- 60 M(-1)) is almost an order of magnitude greater than the former case with the alpha-CD, these are dynamically weakly coupled. In fact, two independent motions are detected: one is that of the whole nanostructure motion (1:1, PPD/beta-CD) with a global rotational relaxation time of = 480 +/- 30 ps, and the other is an internal librational motion of the dye inside the host cavity with an average angular displacement of theta approximately 27 degrees . Finally, the interaction of PPD with the wider and more flexible cavity of the gamma-CD "triggers" a self-associative scheme of the initially formed supramolecular building blocks, namely, singly occupied complexes, leading to the formation of nanotubular superstructures. It is found that these linear arrays are constituted from more than 17 gamma-CD units which are held together with the aid of dimers of PPD. Interestingly, our results supported that two distinct dimeric forms of PPD play the role of the "shaft" between adjacent cyclodextrin units. The topology of the dimers in the interlinking space of gamma-CD units is such that PPD molecules are held in suitable proximity, resulting, upon excitation, in the observation of dual excimer emission.