Elucidating the Spatial Arrangement of Emitter Molecules in Organic Light‐Emitting Diode Films. Issue 29 (7th February 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tonnelé, Claire; Stroet, Martin; Caron, Bertrand; Clulow, Andrew J.; Nagiri, Ravi C. R.; Malde, Alpeshkumar K.; Burn, Paul L.; Gentle, Ian R.; Mark, Alan E.; Powell, Benjamin J.
• Is Part Of: Angewandte Chemie international edition. Volume 56:Issue 29(2017)
• Page Start: 8402
• Page End: 8406
• Publication Date: 2017-02-07
• Subjects: connectivity -- evaporation -- Ir(ppy)3:CBP blends -- morphology -- OLEDs; Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540
• DOI: 10.1002/anie.201610727
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1433-7851

Abstract

Abstract: The effect of varying the emitter concentration on the structural properties of an archetypal phosphorescent blend consisting of 4, 4′‐bis( N ‐carbazolyl)biphenyl and tris(2‐phenylpyridyl)iridium(III) has been investigated using non‐equilibrium molecular dynamics (MD) simulations that mimic the process of vacuum deposition. By comparison with reflectometry measurements, we show that the simulations provide an accurate model of the average density of such films. The emitter molecules were found not to be evenly distributed throughout film, but rather they can form networks that provide charge and/or energy migration pathways, even at emitter concentrations as low as ≈5 weight percent. At slightly higher concentrations, percolated networks form that span the entire system. While such networks would give improved charge transport, they could also lead to more non‐radiative pathways for the emissive state and a resultant loss of efficiency. Abstract : The distribution of triplet emitters in molecular hosts for organic light‐emitting diodes was investigated using a combination of simulations and experimentation. At relatively low guest concentrations, triplet emitters were found to cluster, forming possible percolation pathways for charge carriers.