Recent Advances on Metal-Based Near-Infrared and Infrared Emitting OLEDs

During the past decades, the development of emissive materials for organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) in infrared region has focused the interest of numerous research groups as these devices can find interest in applications ranging from optical communication to defense. To date, metal complexes have been most widely studied to elaborate near-infrared (NIR) emitters due to their low energy emissive triplet states and their facile access. In this review, an overview of the different metal complexes used in OLEDs and enabling to get an infrared emission is provided.

Red, orange-red and near-infrared light emitting ternary lanthanide tris β-diketonate complexes with distortedC4vgeometrical structures

This paper presents the photophysical and optoelectronic properties (in the visible to NIR range) of isostructural nona-coordinate Ln complexes with distortedC_4vgeometrical structures.

Stoichiometric control: 8- and 10-coordinate Ln(hfac)3(bpy) and Ln(hfac)3(bpy)2 complexes of the early lanthanides La-Sm

The coordination sphere of early lanthanide(iii) ions is highly versatile, exhibiting the ability to form 8-, 9-, and 10-coordinate complexes with the same ligand set. The ability to isolate 10-coordinate complexes decreases across the period, and the late lanthanides typically cannot support a coordination number higher than eight. Using two common, commercially available ligands, hfac (1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoroacetylacetonato-) and bpy (2,2'-bipyridine), the 8- and 10-coordinate series Ln(hfac)3(bpy) and Ln(hfac)3(bpy)2 (Ln = La-Sm) are compiled in a single investigation, demonstrating that the desired coordination number can be targeted through stoichiometry. Solvent-free syntheses of Ln(hfac)3(bpy) and Ln(hfac)3(bpy)2 complexes from Ln(hfac)3(H2O)3 precursors are investigated using a mechanochemical approach. Structural and spectroscopic properties as well as melting point trends are reported for the series.

Luminescent properties of heterotrinuclear 3d-4f complexes constructed from a naphthalenediol-based acyclic bis(salamo)-type ligand

Heterotrinuclear 3d-4f complexes with a naphthalenediol-based acyclic bis(salamo)-type ligand have been synthesized and structurally characterized. Spectral titrations clearly show that the heterotrinuclear complexes [Zn₂(L)La(OAc)₃] (1), [Zn₂(L)Ce(OAc)₃] (2) and [Zn₂(L)Dy(OAc)₃(CH₃OH)]·CH₂Cl₂ (3) are acquired by the substitution reaction of the obtained homotrinuclear Zn(II) complex with 1 equiv. of Ln(NO₃)₃ (Ln³⁺=La³⁺, Ce³⁺ and Dy³⁺). Two Zn(II) ions are penta- and hexa-coordinated with geometries of distorted tetragonal pyramid and octahedron. La(III) ion is deca-coordinated, adopting a distorted bicapped square antiprism geometry. Ce(III) ion is nona-coordinated with geometry of distorted capped square antiprism as well as Dy(III) ion. The different coordination modes of acetate ions in complexes 1, 2 and 3 lead to different coordination numbers of the lanthanide(III) ions. Furthermore, the structures and fluorescence properties have been discussed.

Near infrared organic light emitting devices based on a new erbium(iii) β-diketonate complex: synthesis and optoelectronic investigations

This paper deals with the synthesis of a new near infra-red emitting Er(iii) β-diketonate complex of low coordinate structure, its characterisation and fabrication of organic light emitting diode using the complex as emitting layer.

Critical Role of Energy Transfer Between Terbium Ions for Suppression of Back Energy Transfer in Nonanuclear Terbium Clusters

Lanthanide (Ln(III)) complexes form an important class of highly efficient luminescent materials showing characteristic line emission after efficient light absorption by the surrounding ligands. The efficiency is however lowered by back energy transfer from Ln(III) ion to the ligands, especially at higher temperatures. Here we report a new strategy to reduce back energy transfer losses. Nonanuclear lanthanide clusters containing terbium and gadolinium ions, Tb_nGd_9−n clusters ([Tb_nGd_9−n(μ-OH)₁₀(butylsalicylate)₁₆]⁺NO₃⁻, n = 0, 1, 2, 5, 8, 9), were synthesized to investigate the effect of energy transfer between Tb(III) ions on back energy transfer. The photophysical properties of Tb_nGd_9−n clusters were studied by steady-state and time-resolved spectroscopic techniques and revealed a longer emission lifetime with increasing number of Tb(III) ions in Tb_nGd_9−n clusters. A kinetic analysis of temperature dependence of the emission lifetime show that the energy transfer between Tb(III) ions competes with back energy transfer. The experimental results are in agreement with a theoretical rate equation model that confirms the role of energy transfer between Tb(III) ions in reducing back energy transfer losses. The results provide a new strategy in molecular design for improving the luminescence efficiency in lanthanide complexes which is important for potential applications as luminescent materials.

Hyper-stable organo-Eu(III) luminophore under high temperature for photo-industrial application

Novel organo-Eu(III) luminophores, Eu(hfa)x(CPO)y and Eu(hfa)x(TCPO)y (hfa: hexafluoroacetylacetonate, CPO: 4-carboxyphenyl diphenyl phosphine oxide, TCPO: 4,4',4″-tricarboxyphenyl phosphine oxide), were synthesized by the complexation of Eu(III) ions with hfa moieties and CPO or TCPO ligands. The thermal and luminescent stabilities of the luminophores are extremely high. The decomposition temperature of Eu(hfa)x(CPO)y and Eu(hfa)x(TCPO)y were determined as 200 and 450 °C, respectively. The luminescence of Eu(hfa)x(TCPO)y under UV light irradiation was observed even at a high temperature, 400 °C. The luminescent properties of Eu(hfa)x(CPO)y and Eu(hfa)x(TCPO)y were estimated from emission spectra, quantum yields and lifetime measurements. The energy transfer efficiency from hfa moieties to Eu(III) ions in Eu(hfa)x(TCPO)y was 59%. The photosensitized luminescence of hyper-stable Eu(hfa)x(TCPO)y at 400 °C is demonstrated for future photonic applications.

Phase controlled colour tuning of samarium and europium complexes and excellent photostability of their PVA encapsulated materials. Structural elucidation, photophysical parameters and the energy transfer mechanism in the Eu3+ complex by Sparkle/PM3 calculations

Luminescence and photostability of new Sm and Eu complexes and those of their thin hybrid films have been investigated and discussed.

Plasmon enhanced fluorescence of a bisphthalonitrile-based dye via a dopamine mediated interfacial crosslinking reaction on silver nanoparticles

Dopamine modified silver nanoparticles have been employed to enhance the fluorescence of a bisphthalonitrile end-capping phenolphthalein dye in solution via plasmon enhanced fluorescence methodology.

Highly luminescent lanthanide CPs based on dinuclear cluster: crystal structure and sensitive Trp sensor

A lanthanide coordination polymer is explored as Trp sensor. The possible sensing mechanism is the combination between Trp and Tb³⁺, which improves the antenna effect.