Efficient solid-state white light-emitting electrochemical cells based on phosphorescent sensitization

Abstract

Efficient phosphorescent sensitized white light-emitting electrochemical cells (LECs) based on a blue-emitting phosphorescent cationic transition metal complex (CTMC) doped with a red-emitting fluorescent dye are demonstrated. Blue phosphorescence and phosphorescence-sensitized red fluorescence contribute to white emission. Furthermore, the microcavity effect of the device structure is utilized to suppress the green part of the electroluminescence (EL) spectrum of the blue-emitting phosphorescent metal complex (1) via destructive interference. Hence, more saturated blue EL emission can be obtained. When combined with saturated red emission, white EL emission with Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage coordinates approaching (0.33, 0.33) can be obtained without the need for saturated deep-blue emitting CTMCs. Peak external quantum efficiency and power efficiency of the phosphorescence sensitized white LECs are up to 7.9% and 15.6 lm W⁻¹, respectively. These efficiencies are among the highest reported for white LECs and reveal that phosphorescent sensitization is useful for improving device efficiencies of white LECs.