Modulation of delayed fluorescence pathways via rational molecular engineering

Sanchari Debnath, Pria Ramkissoon, Ulrike Salzner, Christopher R. Hall, Naitik A. Panjwani, Woojae Kim, Trevor A. Smith and Satish Patil ()
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Sanchari Debnath: Indian Institute of Science
Pria Ramkissoon: University of Melbourne
Ulrike Salzner: Bilkent University
Christopher R. Hall: University of Melbourne
Naitik A. Panjwani: Freie Universität Berlin
Woojae Kim: Yonsei University
Trevor A. Smith: University of Melbourne
Satish Patil: Indian Institute of Science

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-11

Abstract: Abstract One of the key challenges in developing efficient organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) is overcoming the loss channel of triplet excitons. A common approach to mitigate these losses to enhance the external quantum efficiency of OLEDs is employing emitter molecules optimized for thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) or triplet-triplet annihilation (TTA). However, achieving both in the solid state from the same organic chromophore poses a formidable challenge due to energetic and structural requirements needing to be met simultaneously. Here, we demonstrate TADF and TTA in donor-acceptor phthalimide derivatives by employing triphenylamine (TPA) or phenyl carbazole (PhCz) as a donor. Thin films of the TPA-substituted phthalimides doped in the poly(methyl methacrylate) matrix exhibit TADF emission from the singlet charge-transfer (CT) state. On the contrary, PhCz-substituted emitters display dominant TTA-induced delayed fluorescence in the neat film due to long-range molecular ordering that facilitates efficient triplet diffusion. The present study provides insight into how dual TADF-TTA delayed fluorescence can be realized in thin films of molecular semiconductors via rational molecular design.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-56987-4

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