Synthesis and characterisation of a carbazole-based bipolar exciplex-forming compound for efficient and color-tunable OLEDs

A new ambipolar fluorophore, 3,6-di(4,4′-dimethoxydiphenylaminyl)-9-(1-naphthyl)carbazole, was synthesized and its physical properties were studied by differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, UV-vis absorption, luminescence and photoelectron emission spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry and a time of flight method. The latter technique indicates that the compound demonstrates bipolar semiconducting properties. Using the synthesized compound as an emissive material, a single-layer OLED with an electroluminescence spectrum containing a voltage-dependent electroplex emission band in the region of 550–650 nm was fabricated. Another OLED was fabricated with an additional electron transporting bathophenanthroline layer that forms a direct interface with the layer of 3,6-di(4,4′-dimethoxydiphenylaminyl)-9-(1-naphthyl)carbazole. A strong exciplex-type band in the electroluminescence spectrum of this OLED with an emission maximum at ca. 540 nm was observed. The electroluminescence spectra of both devices were found to be clearly dependent on the applied bias. This effect can be useful for the development of efficient and colour-tunable OLEDs.