Researchers from the highly regarded Physics Department of Durham University and Newcastle University have developed an innovative method to enhance the stability and efficiency of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), which are widely used in smartphones, TVs, and other electronic displays. The study was published in Nature Communications.
Image Credit: Durham University
This breakthrough involves a distinct type of molecule that could significantly increase the lifespan of OLED devices.
New Way to Design Molecules
The researchers introduce a novel approach to designing organic molecules that retain their stability and efficiency over time, even under high-stress conditions.
These new molecules significantly shift the understanding of intramolecular charge transfer excited states. They challenge existing concepts of these excited states, leading to the development of a completely new model that links molecular bonding patterns to the disruption of molecular pi-conjugation in the excited state, helping explain this unprecedented phenomenon.
Called “rigidly planar charge-transfer molecules,” these molecules facilitate improved triplet harvesting, which boosts OLED efficiency through thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF).
Unlike traditional OLED molecules, which tend to twist and lose stability, this innovative design maintains a stable structure, ensuring prolonged device performance.
Long-Lasting and Durable OLED
OLED displays are known for their vibrant colors and energy efficiency, but they often face limitations in terms of lifespan.
The new method could lead to more durable OLED devices, reducing the frequency of replacements.
This breakthrough could also extend beyond OLED technology, offering potential bio-imaging and photocatalysis applications where stable, high-efficiency light emission is crucial.
Journal Reference:
Kuila, S., et al. (2024). Rigid and planar π-conjugated molecules leading to long-lived intramolecular charge-transfer states exhibiting thermally activated delayed fluorescence. Nature Communications. doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-53740-1.