New Research Opens Avenues for More Efficient and Stable Blue OLED Displays

In a surprising discovery, our scientists have found that certain molecules long considered poor emitters are actually ideal for boosting efficiency and stability in next-generation blue OLED displays.

The study published in the journal Nature Photonics, reveal an overlooked molecular ‘blind spot’ that could enable major advances in energy-saving display technologies.

Outshining expectations

Organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), used in most smartphones and TVs today, rely on specialised organic molecules to emit light.

However, obtaining efficient and stable blue OLED emission has remained a difficult challenge for researchers.

Now, the research team has revealed that molecules previously dismissed as subpar light emitters can be used to triple the efficiency of blue OLEDs.

A molecule called ACRSA was found to increase device efficiency from 10% to over 28% when used as a sensitiser in ‘hyperfluorescent’ OLEDs, where energy is transferred from the sensitiser to a separate terminal emitter molecule.

An illuminating discovery

Even more remarkably, using the greenish sensitiser ACRSA, blue emission can be achieved by transferring ACRSA’s energy to a blue terminal emitter.

This green-to-blue approach reduces exciton energy compared to direct blue emitters, enabling more stable, longer-lasting blue OLEDs.

The team's strategy provides a new blueprint for designing stable and highly efficient hyperfluorescent OLED displays.

This new understanding opens up exciting possibilities for both fundamental research and practical applications.

Reference: Stavrou K, Franca LG, Danos A, Monkman AP. Key requirements for ultraefficient sensitization in hyperfluorescence organic light-emitting diodes. Nat Photon. 2024. doi: 10.1038/s41566-024-01395-1

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