U.S. patent application number 11/610032 was filed with the patent office on 2008-06-19 for bis-carbazole monomers and polymers.
This patent application is currently assigned to GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY. Invention is credited to James Anthony Cella, Kyle Erik Litz, Jie Liu, Joseph John Shiang, Qing Ye.
Application Number | 20080145665 11/610032 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39315306 |
Filed Date | 2008-06-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080145665 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ye; Qing ; et al. |
June 19, 2008 |
BIS-CARBAZOLE MONOMERS AND POLYMERS
Abstract
The invention relates to compounds of formula I ##STR00001##
wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.4 are independently at each
occurrence a C.sub.1-C.sub.20 aliphatic radical, a C.sub.3-C.sub.20
aromatic radical, or a C.sub.3-C.sub.20 cycloaliphatic radical;
R.sup.3 and R.sup.5 are independently at each occurrence hydrogen,
a C.sub.1-C.sub.20 aliphatic radical, a C.sub.3-C.sub.20 aromatic
radical, or a C.sub.3-C.sub.20 cycloaliphatic radical; and a, b and
d are independently 0 or an integer ranging from 1 to 3. The
invention further relates to polymers derived from compounds of
formula I. The polymers may be polyesters, polyethers,
polycarbonates, polyestercarbonates, polyetherketones, or
polyethersulfones. Compounds and polymers of the invention find use
in light emitting devices.
Inventors: |
Ye; Qing; (Schenectady,
NY) ; Liu; Jie; (Niskayuna, NY) ; Cella; James
Anthony; (Clifton Park, NY) ; Litz; Kyle Erik;
(Ballston Spa, NY) ; Shiang; Joseph John;
(Niskayuna, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY;GLOBAL RESEARCH
PATENT DOCKET RM. BLDG. K1-4A59
NISKAYUNA
NY
12309
US
|
Assignee: |
GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
SCHENECTADY
NY
|
Family ID: |
39315306 |
Appl. No.: |
11/610032 |
Filed: |
December 13, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
428/412 ;
428/473.5; 428/480; 428/690; 526/259 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C08G 63/6854 20130101;
C08G 73/1085 20130101; H01L 51/0037 20130101; Y10T 428/31507
20150401; H01L 51/0085 20130101; Y10T 428/31721 20150401; Y10T
428/31786 20150401; H01L 51/0072 20130101; C07D 209/88 20130101;
C08G 73/1046 20130101; C08G 64/12 20130101; H01L 51/5012 20130101;
H01L 51/0035 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
428/412 ;
526/259; 428/690; 428/480; 428/473.5 |
International
Class: |
B32B 27/36 20060101
B32B027/36; B32B 27/00 20060101 B32B027/00; C08F 26/12 20060101
C08F026/12 |
Claims
1. (canceled)
2. (canceled)
3. (canceled)
4. (canceled)
5. (canceled)
6. (canceled)
7. A polymer comprising structural units of formula II ##STR00008##
wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.5, R.sup.6 and R.sup.7 are
independently at each occurrence a C.sub.1-C.sub.20 aliphatic
radical, a C.sub.3-C.sub.20 aromatic radical, or a C.sub.3-C.sub.20
cycloaliphatic radical; R.sup.4 and R.sup.8 are independently at
each occurrence a hydrogen, a C.sub.1-C.sub.20 aliphatic radical, a
C.sub.3-C.sub.20 aromatic radical, or a C.sub.3-C.sub.20
cycloaliphatic radical; a and e are independently at each
occurrence 0, or an integer ranging from 1 to 4; b, c, d and f are
independently 0 or an integer ranging from 1 to 3.
8. The polymer of claim 7, which is a polyester.
9. The polymer of claim 7, which is a polyether.
10. The polymer of claim 7, which is a polycarbonate.
11. The polymer of claim 7, which is a polyestercarbonate.
12. The polymer of claim 7, which is a polyetherimide.
13. The polymer of claim 7, which is a polyaryletherketone.
14. The polymer of claim 7, which is a polyarylethersulfone.
15. The polymer of claim 7, wherein R.sup.4 and R.sup.8 are
independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen,
triarylsilyl, trialkylsilyl, t-butyl, diphenyl phosphine oxide,
diphenyl phosphine sulfide, and combinations thereof.
16. The polymer of claim 7, wherein a and e are 0.
17. The polymer of claim 7, wherein b, c, d and f are 0.
18. The polymer of claim 7, of formula ##STR00009## wherein R.sup.4
and R.sup.8 independently selected from the group consisting of
hydrogen, triarylsilyl, trialkylsilyl, t-butyl, diphenyl phosphine
oxide, diphenyl phosphine sulfide, and combinations thereof.
19. The polymer of claim 7, of formula ##STR00010##
20. The polymer of claim 7, additionally comprising structural
units of formula ##STR00011##
21. A light emitting device comprising at least one electrode, at
least one hole injection layer, at least one light emissive layer;
wherein the light emissive layer comprises a polymer comprising
structural units of formula II ##STR00012## R.sup.1, R.sup.2,
R.sup.3, R.sup.5, R.sup.6 and R.sup.7 are independently at each
occurrence a C.sub.1-C.sub.20 aliphatic radical, a C.sub.3-C.sub.20
aromatic radical, or a C.sub.3-C.sub.20 cycloaliphatic radical;
R.sup.4 and R.sup.9. are independently at each occurrence a
hydrogen, a C.sub.1-C.sub.20 aliphatic radical, a C.sub.3-C.sub.20
aromatic radical, or a C.sub.3-C.sub.20 cycloaliphatic radical; a
and e are independently at each occurrence 0, or an integer ranging
from 1 to 4; b, c, d and f are independently 0 or an integer
ranging from 1 to 3.
22. The light emitting device of claim 21, wherein the polymer is a
polyester.
23. The light emitting device of claim 21, wherein the polymer is a
polyether.
24. The light emitting device of claim 21, wherein the polymer is a
polycarbonate.
25. The light emitting device of claim 21, wherein the polymer is a
polyetherimide.
26. The light emitting device of claim 21, wherein the polymer is a
polyarylethersulfone.
27. The light emitting device of claim 21, wherein the polymer is a
polyaryletherketone.
28. The light emitting device of claim 21 wherein R.sup.4 and
R.sup.8 are independently selected from the group consisting of
hydrogen, triarylsilyl, trialkylsilyl, t-butyl, diphenyl phosphine
oxide, diphenyl phosphine sulfide, and combinations thereof.
29. The light emitting device of claim 21, wherein a and e are
0.
30. The light emitting device of claim 21, wherein b, c, d and f
are 0.
31. The light emitting device of claim 21, wherein the emissive
layer comprises a polymer comprising structural units of formula
##STR00013## wherein R.sup.4 and R.sup.8 independently selected
from the group consisting of hydrogen, triarylsilyl, trialkylsilyl,
t-butyl, diphenyl phosphine oxide, diphenyl phosphine sulfide, and
combinations thereof.
32. The light emitting device of claim 21, wherein the emissive
layer comprises a polymer comprising structural units of formula
##STR00014##
33. The light emitting device of claim 21, additionally comprising
structural units of formula ##STR00015##
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The invention relates generally to compounds comprising
bis-carbazole units that are difunctional. The invention also
relates to monomers comprising bis-carbazole units and polymers,
dendrimers and hyper-branched materials derived therefrom.
[0002] Organic light emitting devices (OLEDs), which make use of
thin film materials that emit light when subjected to a voltage
bias, are expected to become an increasingly popular form of flat
panel display technology. This is because OLEDs have a wide variety
of potential applications, including cellphones, personal digital
assistants (PDAs), computer displays, informational displays in
vehicles, television monitors, as well as light sources for general
illumination. Due to their bright colors, wide viewing angle,
compatibility with full motion video, broad temperature ranges,
thin and conformable form factor, low power requirements and the
potential for low cost manufacturing processes, OLEDs are seen as a
future replacement technology for cathode ray tubes (CRTs) and
liquid crystal displays (LCDs). Due to their high luminous
efficiencies, OLEDs are seen as having the potential to replace
incandescent, and perhaps even fluorescent, lamps for certain types
of applications.
[0003] One approach to achieve full-color OLEDs includes energy
transfer from host to emissive guest molecules. For this to be
realized, the triplet energy state of the host has to be higher
than the guest molecule. Carbazole derivatives have shown promise
to perform well as host molecule in the presence of metal
containing emissive guest molecules. Often used in this respect is
poly(N-vinyl carbazole). However, quantum efficiencies of devices
that use poly(N-vinyl carbazole) is still at the range of about 60
to 80%. Thus, there is a need in the art to develop OLEDs having
device quantum efficiencies, while still maintaining the potential
for the molecules to host red, green, and blue emissive
complexes.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
[0004] In one aspect, the invention relates to a compound of
formula I
##STR00002##
wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.5, R.sup.6 and R.sup.7 are
independently at each occurrence a C.sub.1-C.sub.20 aliphatic
radical, a C.sub.3-C.sub.20 aromatic radical, or a C.sub.3-C.sub.20
cycloaliphatic radical; R.sup.4 and R.sup.8 are independently at
each occurrence a hydrogen, a C.sub.1-C.sub.20 aliphatic radical, a
C.sub.3-C.sub.20 aromatic radical, or a C.sub.3-C.sub.20
cycloaliphatic radical; a and e are independently at each
occurrence 0, or an integer ranging from 1 to 4; and b, c, d and f
are independently 0 or an integer ranging from 1 to 3.
[0005] In another aspect, the invention relates to a polymer
comprising structural units of formula II
##STR00003##
wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.5, R.sup.6 and R.sup.7 are
independently at each occurrence a C.sub.1-C.sub.20 aliphatic
radical, a C.sub.3-C.sub.20 aromatic radical, or a C.sub.3-C.sub.20
cycloaliphatic radical; R.sup.4 and R.sup.8 are independently at
each occurrence a hydrogen, a C.sub.1-C.sub.20 aliphatic radical, a
C.sub.3-C.sub.20 aromatic radical, or a C.sub.3-C.sub.20
cycloaliphatic radical; a and e are independently at each
occurrence 0, or an integer ranging from 1 to 4; and b, c, d and f
are independently 0 or an integer ranging from 1 to 3. In yet
another aspect, the invention relates to a light emitting device
comprising at least one electrode, at least one hole injection
layer, at least one light emissive layer; wherein the light
emissive layer comprises a polymer comprising structural units of
formula II
DRAWINGS
[0006] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the
present invention will become better understood when the following
detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying
drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout
the drawings, wherein:
[0007] FIG. 1 shows the emission spectra of the samples from
Example 5 and Comparative Example 5.
[0008] FIG. 2 shows the triplet excited states decay profiles of
the phosphorescent dye in the presence and absence of
bis(9-(hydroxyphenyl)carbazol-3-yl).
[0009] FIG. 3 shows a plot of quantum efficiency (cd/A) and a plot
of power efficiency (lm/w) as a function of bias voltage (V) for
the exemplary OLED devices.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0010] In one aspect, the invention relates to a compound
comprising bis-carbazole units of formula I. Compounds of formula I
may generally be regarded as bis-carbazole compounds. In some
cases, the 3-, 6-, 3'-, 6'-positions may be susceptible to
oxidative coupling reactions, and it may be advantageous to protect
one or more of these positions. Thus, in some embodiments, R.sup.4
and R.sup.8 are t-butyl groups, while in still other embodiments,
R.sup.4 and R.sup.8 are triarylsilyl groups, particularly
triphenylsilyl, or trialkylsilyl groups, and in yet other
embodiments, R.sup.4 and R.sup.8 are diphenyl phosphine oxide or
diphenyl phosphine sulfide groups. A wide variety of groups may be
used to substitute the bis-carbazole at the 6,6' positions, and
these may include, but not limited to, methyl, ethyl, methoxy,
tolyl, methylcyclohexyl, and halomethyl. In a particular aspect,
the invention relates to a monomer of formula I, wherein b, c, d
and f are all 0, which has the formula
##STR00004##
[0011] In another aspect, the present invention relates to polymers
having structural units of formula II. The polymers are prepared by
copolymerizing one or more monomers of formula I with one or more
comonomers to result in polycarbonates, copolycarbonates,
polyarylates, copolyarylates, copolyestercarbonates, polyethers,
polyether sulfones, polyether imides, and combinations thereof, in
the form of random, block or graft copolymers, or dendrimers or
hyper-branched materials.
[0012] Accordingly, in some embodiments, the monomer of formula I
may be copolymerized with phosgene, or phosgene and a bisphenol, or
with a diaryl carbonate or bishaloformate to provide a
polycarbonate. Exemplary monomers to make polycarbonates include
diphenyl carbonate, bis(methylsalicyl)carbonate, bisphenol A
bischloroformate, resorcinol bischloroformate, and combinations
thereof. For example, copolymerization with phosgene and bisphenol
A results in a polymer comprising structural units of formula
##STR00005##
in addition to the structural units of formula II. Thus, in one
particular embodiment, the resulting polymer comprises structural
units of formula
##STR00006##
For example, a monomer of formula I may be reacted with bisphenol A
and diphenyl carbonate in the presence of a minute amount of a
basic catalyst such as sodium hydroxide at a temperature in a range
between about 150 and 300.degree. C. at subatmospheric
pressure.
[0013] In other embodiments, the monomer of formula I may be
copolymerized with a carboxylate ester, a carboxylic anhydride, or
a carboxylic acid halide to yield a polyester. Exemplary comonomers
that may be used to make polyesters include terephthaloyl chloride,
terephthalic anhydride, naphthoic dianhydride, succinic anhydride,
dimethyl oxalate, and combinations thereof.
[0014] In yet other embodiments, the monomer of formula I may be
copolymerized with one or more dihaloarylsulfone monomer to yield a
polyether sulfone. Dihaloarylsulfones may include
bis(4-fluorophenyl)sulfone, bis(4-chlorophenyl)sulfone,
4,4'-bis((4-chlorophenyl)sulfonyl)-1,1-biphenyl and combinations
thereof.
[0015] In other embodiments, the monomer of formula I may be
copolymerized with one or more dihaloaryl monomers to yield a
polyether. Exemplary dihaloaryl monomers include
1,6-dichlorobenzene, 4,4'-dichlorobiphenyl,
4,4'-dichlorodiphenylsulfide, 1,6-difluorobenzene,
4,4'-difluorobiphenyl, 4,4'-difluorodiphenylsulfie, and
combinations thereof. For example, the monomer of formula I may be
copolymerized with decafluorobiphenyl in N-methyl-2-pyrollidone
(NMP), in the presence of a base such as potassium carbonate, at
the temperature between about 100 and about 250.degree. C.
[0016] In another embodiment, the monomer of formula I may be
copolymerized with dihalobenzophenone monomer to yield a
polyetherketone. Other dihalobenzophenone monomers include
1,4-bis(4'-chlorobenzoyl)benzene, 1,4-bis(4'-fluorobenzoyl)benzene,
1-(4'-chlorobenzoyl-4-(4''-fluorobenzoyl)benzene, and combinations
thereof. For example, the monomer of formula I together with the
disodium salt of bisphenol A may be reacted with
4,4'-dichlorobenzophenone in orthodichlorobenzene at a temperature
between about 100 and about 250.degree. C. in the presence of a
phase transfer catalyst such as hexaethyl guanidinium chloride.
[0017] In another embodiment, the monomer of formula I may be
copolymerized with a bis(halophthalimide) such as
bis(4-chlorophthalimide) to obtain a polyetherimide. Other
bis(halophthalimide)s include
1,3-bis[N-(4-fluorophthalimido)]benzene,
1,4-bis[N-(4-fluorophthalimido)]benzene,
1,3-bis[N-(3-fluorophthalimido)]benzene,
1,4-bis[N-(3-fluorophthalimido)]benzene,
4,4'-bis[N-(4-fluorophthalimido)]phenyl ether,
4,4'-bis[N-(3-fluorophthalimido)]phenyl ether,
4,4'-bis[N-(4-chlorophthalimido)]phenyl ether,
4,4'-bis[N-(3-chlorophthalimido)]phenyl ether,
1,3-bis[N-(4-chlorophthalimido)]benzene,
1,4-bis[N-(4-chlorophthalimido)]benzene,
1,3-bis[N-(3-chlorophthalimido)]benzene,
1,4-bis[N-(3-chlorophthalimido)]benzene,
1-[N-(4-chlorophthalimido)]-3-[N-(3-chlorophthalimido)benzene,
1-[N-(4-chlorophthalimido)]-4-[N-(3-chlorophthalimido)benzene, and
combinations thereof.
[0018] Reaction conditions useful for the preparation of the
polymers of the present invention include the use of polar solvents
and bases of suitable strength. Exemplary solvents include
chloroform, methylene chloride, orthodichlorobenzene, veratrole,
anisole, and combinations thereof. Exemplary bases include
triethylamine, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, and
combinations thereof. Suitable catalysts may also be employed to
effect the polymerization reaction.
[0019] In certain embodiments, the polymerization reaction may be
conducted at a suitable temperature that ranges from about room
temperature to about the boiling point of the solvent of choice.
The polymerization may also be conducted at atmospheric pressure,
subatmospheric pressures, or superatmospheric pressures. The
polymerization reaction is conducted for a time period necessary to
achieve polymer of a suitable molecular weight. The molecular
weight of a polymer is determined by any of the techniques known to
those skilled in the art, and include viscosity measurements, light
scattering, and osmometry. The molecular weight of a polymer is
typically represented as a number average molecular weight M.sub.n,
or weight average molecular weight, M.sub.w. A particularly useful
technique to determine molecular weight averages is gel permeation
chromatography (GPC), from wherein both number average and weight
average molecular weights are obtained. Molecular weight of the
polymers is not critical, and in some embodiments, polymers of
M.sub.w greater than 30,000 grams per mole (g/mol) are desirable,
in other embodiments, polymers of M.sub.w greater than 50,000 g/mol
are desirable, while in yet other embodiments, polymer of M.sub.w
greater than 80,000 g/mol are desirable.
[0020] The polymerization reaction may be controlled the addition
of a suitable monofunctional reactant, sometimes also referred to
in the art as "end-capping agents", or "chain stoppers". The chain
stopper serves to limit polymer molecular weight. Suitable phenolic
chain stoppers include phenol and p-cumylphenol. Suitable aromatic
halide chain stoppers include, 4-chlorophenyl phenyl sulfone,
4-fluorophenyl phenyl sulfone, and 4-chlorophenyl phenyl
ketone.
Polymers provided in the present invention may find use in a wide
variety of applications that include, but are not limited to, light
emitting electrochemical cells, photo detectors, photo conductive
cells, photo switches, and display devices. Thus, in one aspect,
the invention relates to a light emitting comprising at least one
electrode, at least one hole injection layer, at least one light
emissive layer; wherein the light emissive layer comprises a
polymer comprising structural units of formula II.
[0021] An organic light emitting device typically comprises
multiple layers which include in the simplest case, an anode layer
and a corresponding cathode layer with an organic
electroluminescent layer disposed between said anode and said
cathode. When a voltage bias is applied across the electrodes,
electrons are injected by the cathode into the electroluminescent
layer while electrons are removed from (or "holes" are "injected"
into) the electroluminescent layer from the anode. Light emission
occurs as holes combine with electrons within the
electroluminescent layer to form singlet or triplet excitons, light
emission occurring as singlet excitons transfer energy to the
environment by radiative decay.
[0022] Other components which may be present in an organic light
emitting device in addition to the anode, cathode and light
emitting material include hole injection layers, electron injection
layers, and electron transport layers. The electron transport layer
need not be in contact with the cathode, and frequently the
electron transport layer is not an efficient hole transporter and
thus it serves to block holes migrating toward the cathode. During
operation of an organic light emitting device comprising an
electron transport layer, the majority of charge carriers (i.e.
holes and electrons) present in the electron transport layer are
electrons and light emission can occur through recombination of
holes and electrons present in the electron transport layer.
Additional components which may be present in an organic light
emitting device include hole transport layers, hole transporting
emission (emitting) layers and electron transporting emission
(emitting) layers.
[0023] Compounds of formula I have triplet energy states that are
useful in applications such as organic light emitting devices
(OLEDs), as they may give rise to highly efficient devices.
Further, the triplet energy of these compounds may be high enough
that it may be greater than those of guest dyes used in devices,
and thus may serve as host molecules. The compounds of the present
invention are particularly well suited for use in hole transport
layers in organic light emitting devices. In one embodiment, the
present invention relates to an organic light emitting device
comprising the compounds as a constituent of a hole transport layer
of an organic light emitting device.
[0024] The organic electroluminescent layer is a layer within an
organic light emitting device which when in operation contains a
significant concentration of both electrons and holes and provides
sites for exciton formation and light emission. A hole injection
layer is a layer in contact with the anode which promotes the
injection of holes from the anode into the interior layers of the
OLED; and an electron injection layer is a layer in contact with
the cathode that promotes the injection of electrons from the
cathode into the OLED; an electron transport layer is a layer which
facilitates conduction of electrons from cathode to a charge
recombination site. The electron transport layer need not be in
contact with the cathode, and frequently the electron transport
layer is not an efficient hole transporter and thus it serves to
block holes migrating toward the cathode. During operation of an
organic light emitting device comprising an electron transport
layer, the majority of charge carriers (i.e. holes and electrons)
present in the electron transport layer are electrons and light
emission can occur through recombination of holes and electrons
present in the electron transport layer. A hole transport layer is
a layer which when the OLED is in operation facilitates conduction
of holes from the anode to charge recombination sites and which
need not be in contact with the anode. A hole transporting emission
layer is a layer in which when the OLED is in operation facilitates
the conduction of holes to charge recombination sites, and in which
the majority of charge carriers are holes, and in which emission
occurs not only through recombination with residual electrons, but
also through the transfer of energy from a charge recombination
zone elsewhere in the device. An electron transporting emission
layer is a layer in which when the OLED is in operation facilitates
the conduction of electrons to charge recombination sites, and in
which the majority of charge carriers are electrons, and in which
emission occurs not only through recombination with residual holes,
but also through the transfer of energy from a charge recombination
zone elsewhere in the device.
[0025] Materials suitable for use as the anode include materials
having a bulk conductivity of at least about 100 ohms per square,
as measured by a four-point probe technique. Indium tin oxide (ITO)
is frequently used as the anode because it is substantially
transparent to light transmission and thus facilitates the escape
of light emitted from electro-active organic layer. Other materials
which may be utilized as the anode layer include tin oxide, indium
oxide, zinc oxide, indium zinc oxide, zinc indium tin oxide,
antimony oxide, and mixtures thereof.
[0026] Materials suitable for use as the cathode include by zero
valent metals which can inject negative charge carriers (electrons)
into the inner layer(s) of the OLED. Various zero valent metals
suitable for use as the cathode 20 include K, Li, Na, Cs, Mg, Ca,
Sr, Ba, Al, Ag, Au, In, Sn, Zn, Zr, Sc, Y, elements of the
lanthanide series, alloys thereof, and mixtures thereof. Suitable
alloy materials for use as the cathode layer include Ag--Mg,
Al--Li, In--Mg, Al--Ca, and Al--Au alloys. Layered non-alloy
structures may also be employed in the cathode, such as a thin
layer of a metal such as calcium, or a metal fluoride, such as LiF,
covered by a thicker layer of a zero valent metal, such as aluminum
or silver. In particular, the cathode may be composed of a single
zero valent metal, and especially of aluminum metal.
[0027] Light emitting devices according to the present invention
include polymers having formula IV in the hole injection layer. The
polymers may be used in place of, or in addition to traditional
materials such as poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene), which is
commercially available from H.C. Stark, Inc. under the BAYTRON.RTM.
tradename, and polymers based on the thieno[3,4b]thiophene (TT)
monomer, commercially available from Air Products Corporation. In
particular, the polymers may be blended with PEDOT to form a hole
injection layer.
[0028] Materials suitable for use in hole transporting layers
include 1,1-bis((di-4-tolylamino)phenyl)cyclohexane,
N,N'-bis(4-methylphenyl)-N,N'-bis(4-ethylphenyl)(1,1'-(3,3'-dimethyl)biph-
enyl)-4,4'-diamine,
tetrakis-(3-methylphenyl)-N,N,N',N'-2,5-phenylenediamine,
phenyl-4-N,N-diphenylaminostyrene, p-(diethylamino)benzaldehyde
diphenylhydrazone, triphenylamine,
1-phenyl-3-(p-(diethylamino)styryl)-5-(p-(diethylamino)phenyl)pyrazoline,
1,2-trans-bis(9H-carbazol-9-yl)cyclobutane,
N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(4-methylphenyl)-(1,1'-biphenyl)-4,4'-diamine,
copper phthalocyanine, polyvinylcarbazole,
(phenylmethyl)polysilane; poly(3,4-ethylendioxythiophene) (PEDOT),
polyaniline, polyvinylcarbazole, triaryldiamine,
tetraphenyldiamine, aromatic tertiary amines, hydrazone
derivatives, carbazole derivatives, triazole derivatives, imidazole
derivatives, oxadiazole derivatives having an amino group, and
polythiophenes as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,023,371.
[0029] Materials suitable for use as the electron transport layer
include poly(9,9-dioctyl fluorene), tris(8-hydroxyquinolato)
aluminum (Alq.sub.3), 2,9-dimethyl-4,7-diphenyl-1,1-phenanthroline,
4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline,
2-(4-biphenylyl)-5-(4-t-butylphenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole,
3-(4-biphenylyl)-4-phenyl-5-(4-t-butylphenyl)-1,2,4-triazole,
1,3,4-oxadiazole-containing polymers, 1,3,4-triazole-containing
polymers, quinoxaline-containing polymers, and cyano-PPV.
[0030] Materials suitable for use in the light emitting layer
include electroluminescent polymers such as poly(9,9-dioctyl
fluorene) and copolymers thereof, such as F8-TFB.
[0031] In one aspect, polymers comprising structural units of
formula II may form part of the hole collection layer, while in
another aspect, polymers comprising structural units of formula II
form part of the hole injection layer. Thus, in one aspect, the
present invention relates to more efficient organic light emitting
devices comprising polymers comprising structural units of formula
II.
DEFINITIONS
[0032] As used herein, the term "aromatic radical" refers to an
array of atoms having a valence of at least one comprising at least
one aromatic group. The array of atoms having a valence of at least
one comprising at least one aromatic group may include heteroatoms
such as nitrogen, sulfur, selenium, silicon and oxygen, or may be
composed exclusively of carbon and hydrogen. As used herein, the
term "aromatic radical" includes but is not limited to phenyl,
pyridyl, furanyl, thienyl, naphthyl, phenylene, and biphenyl
radicals. As noted, the aromatic radical contains at least one
aromatic group. The aromatic group is invariably a cyclic structure
having 4n+2 "delocalized" electrons where "n" is an integer equal
to 1 or greater, as illustrated by phenyl groups (n=1), thienyl
groups (n=1), furanyl groups (n=1), naphthyl groups (n=2), azulenyl
groups (n=2), and anthraceneyl groups (n=3). The aromatic radical
may also include nonaromatic components. For example, a benzyl
group is an aromatic radical which comprises a phenyl ring (the
aromatic group) and a methylene group (the nonaromatic component).
Similarly a tetrahydronaphthyl radical is an aromatic radical
comprising an aromatic group (C.sub.6H.sub.3) fused to a
nonaromatic component --(CH.sub.2).sub.4--. For convenience, the
term "aromatic radical" is defined herein to encompass a wide range
of functional groups such as alkyl groups, alkenyl groups, alkynyl
groups, haloalkyl groups, haloaromatic groups, conjugated dienyl
groups, alcohol groups, ether groups, aldehydes groups, ketone
groups, carboxylic acid groups, acyl groups (for example carboxylic
acid derivatives such as esters and amides), amine groups, nitro
groups, and the like. For example, the 4-methylphenyl radical is a
C.sub.7 aromatic radical comprising a methyl group, the methyl
group being a functional group which is an alkyl group. Similarly,
the 2-nitrophenyl group is a C.sub.6 aromatic radical comprising a
nitro group, the nitro group being a functional group. Aromatic
radicals include halogenated aromatic radicals such as
4-trifluoromethylphenyl,
hexafluoroisopropylidenebis(4-phen-1-yloxy) (i.e.,
--OPhC(CF.sub.3).sub.2PhO--), 4-chloromethylphen-1-yl,
3-trifluorovinyl-2-thienyl, 3-trichloromethylphen-1-yl (i.e.,
3-CCl.sub.3Ph-), 4-(3-bromoprop-1-yl)phen-1-yl (i.e.,
4-BrCH.sub.2CH.sub.2CH.sub.2Ph-), and the like. Further examples of
aromatic radicals include 4-allyloxyphen-1-oxy, 4-aminophen-1-yl
(i.e., 4-H.sub.2NPh-), 3-aminocarbonylphen-1-yl (i.e.,
NH.sub.2COPh-), 4-benzoylphen-1-yl,
dicyanomethylidenebis(4-phen-1-yloxy) (i.e.,
--OPhC(CN).sub.2PhO--), 3-methylphen-1-yl,
methylenebis(4-phen-1-yloxy) (i.e., --OPhCH.sub.2PhO--),
2-ethylphen-1-yl, phenylethenyl, 3-formyl-2-thienyl,
2-hexyl-5-furanyl, hexamethylene-1,6-bis(4-phen-1-yloxy) (i.e.,
--OPh(CH.sub.2).sub.6PhO--), 4-hydroxymethylphen-1-yl (i.e.,
4-HOCH.sub.2Ph-), 4-mercaptomethylphen-1-yl (i.e.,
4-HSCH.sub.2Ph-), 4-methylthiophen-1-yl (i.e., 4-CH.sub.3SPh-),
3-methoxyphen-1-yl, 2-methoxycarbonylphen-1-yloxy (e.g. methyl
salicyl), 2-nitromethylphen-1-yl (i.e., 2-NO.sub.2CH.sub.2Ph),
3-trimethylsilylphen-1-yl, 4-t-butyldimethylsilylphenl-1-yl,
4-vinylphen-1-yl, vinylidenebis(phenyl), and the like. The term "a
C.sub.3-C.sub.10 aromatic radical" includes aromatic radicals
containing at least three but no more than 10 carbon atoms. The
aromatic radical 1-imidazolyl (C.sub.3H.sub.2N.sub.2--) represents
a C.sub.3 aromatic radical. The benzyl radical (C.sub.7H.sub.7--)
represents a C.sub.7 aromatic radical.
[0033] As used herein the term "cycloaliphatic radical" refers to a
radical having a valence of at least one, and comprising an array
of atoms which is cyclic but which is not aromatic. As defined
herein a "cycloaliphatic radical" does not contain an aromatic
group. A "cycloaliphatic radical" may comprise one or more
noncyclic components. For example, a cyclohexylmethyl group
(C.sub.6H.sub.11CH.sub.2--) is an cycloaliphatic radical which
comprises a cyclohexyl ring (the array of atoms which is cyclic but
which is not aromatic) and a methylene group (the noncyclic
component). The cycloaliphatic radical may include heteroatoms such
as nitrogen, sulfur, selenium, silicon and oxygen, or may be
composed exclusively of carbon and hydrogen. For convenience, the
term "cycloaliphatic radical" is defined herein to encompass a wide
range of functional groups such as alkyl groups, alkenyl groups,
alkynyl groups, haloalkyl groups, conjugated dienyl groups, alcohol
groups, ether groups, aldehyde groups, ketone groups, carboxylic
acid groups, acyl groups (for example carboxylic acid derivatives
such as esters and amides), amine groups, nitro groups, and the
like. For example, the 4-methylcyclopent-1-yl radical is a C.sub.6
cycloaliphatic radical comprising a methyl group, the methyl group
being a functional group which is an alkyl group. Similarly, the
2-nitrocyclobut-1-yl radical is a C.sub.4 cycloaliphatic radical
comprising a nitro group, the nitro group being a functional group.
A cycloaliphatic radical may comprise one or more halogen atoms
which may be the same or different. Halogen atoms include, for
example; fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine. Cycloaliphatic
radicals comprising one or more halogen atoms include
2-trifluoromethylcyclohex-1-yl, 4-bromodifluoromethylcyclooct-1-yl,
2-chlorodifluoromethylcyclohex-1-yl,
hexafluoroisopropylidene-2,2-bis(cyclohex-4-yl) (i.e.,
--C.sub.6H.sub.10C(CF.sub.3).sub.2C.sub.6H.sub.10--),
2-chloromethylcyclohex-1-yl, 3-difluoromethylenecyclohex-1-yl,
4-trichloromethylcyclohex-1-yloxy,
4-bromodichloromethylcyclohex-1-ylthio, 2-bromoethylcyclopent-1-yl,
2-bromopropylcyclohex-1-yloxy (e.g.
CH.sub.3CHBrCH.sub.2C.sub.6H.sub.10O--), and the like. Further
examples of cycloaliphatic radicals include
4-allyloxycyclohex-1-yl, 4-aminocyclohex-1-yl (i.e.,
H.sub.2C.sub.6H.sub.10--), 4-aminocarbonylcyclopent-1-yl (i.e.,
NH.sub.2COC.sub.5H.sub.8--), 4-acetyloxycyclohex-1-yl,
2,2-dicyanoisopropylidenebis(cyclohex-4-yloxy) (i.e.,
--OC.sub.6H.sub.10C(CN).sub.2C.sub.6H.sub.10O--),
3-methylcyclohex-1-yl, methylenebis(cyclohex-4-yloxy) (i.e.,
--OC.sub.6H.sub.10CH.sub.2C.sub.6H.sub.10O--),
1-ethylcyclobut-1-yl, cyclopropylethenyl,
3-formyl-2-terahydrofuranyl, 2-hexyl-5-tetrahydrofuranyl,
hexamethylene-1,6-bis(cyclohex-4-yloxy) (i.e.,
--OC.sub.6H.sub.10(CH.sub.2).sub.6C.sub.6H.sub.10O--),
4-hydroxymethylcyclohex-1-yl (i.e., 4-HOCH.sub.2C.sub.6H.sub.10--),
4-mercaptomethylcyclohex-1-yl (i.e.,
4-HSCH.sub.2C.sub.6H.sub.10--), 4-methylthiocyclohex-1-yl (i.e.,
4-CH.sub.3SC.sub.6H.sub.10--), 4-methoxycyclohex-1-yl,
2-methoxycarbonylcyclohex-1-yloxy
(2-CH.sub.3OCOC.sub.6H.sub.10O--), 4-nitromethylcyclohex-1-yl
(i.e., NO.sub.2CH.sub.2C.sub.6H.sub.10--),
3-trimethylsilylcyclohex-1-yl,
2-t-butyldimethylsilylcyclopent-1-yl,
4-trimethoxysilylethylcyclohex-1-yl (e.g.
(CH.sub.3O).sub.3SiCH.sub.2CH.sub.2C.sub.6H.sub.10--),
4-vinylcyclohexen-1-yl, vinylidenebis(cyclohexyl), and the like.
The term "a C.sub.3-C.sub.10 cycloaliphatic radical" includes
cycloaliphatic radicals containing at least three but no more than
10 carbon atoms. The cycloaliphatic radical 2-tetrahydrofuranyl
(C.sub.4H.sub.7O--) represents a C.sub.4 cycloaliphatic radical.
The cyclohexylmethyl radical (C.sub.6H.sub.11CH.sub.2--) represents
a C.sub.7 cycloaliphatic radical.
[0034] As used herein the term "aliphatic radical" refers to an
organic radical having a valence of at least one consisting of a
linear or branched array of atoms which is not cyclic. Aliphatic
radicals are defined to comprise at least one carbon atom. The
array of atoms comprising the aliphatic radical may include
heteroatoms such as nitrogen, sulfur, silicon, selenium and oxygen
or may be composed exclusively of carbon and hydrogen. For
convenience, the term "aliphatic radical" is defined herein to
encompass, as part of the "linear or branched array of atoms which
is not cyclic" organic radicals substituted with a wide range of
functional groups such as alkyl groups, alkenyl groups, alkynyl
groups, haloalkyl groups, conjugated dienyl groups, alcohol groups,
ether groups, aldehyde groups, ketone groups, carboxylic acid
groups, acyl groups (for example carboxylic acid derivatives such
as esters and amides), amine groups, nitro groups, and the like.
For example, the 4-methylpent-1-yl radical is a C.sub.6 aliphatic
radical comprising a methyl group, the methyl group being a
functional group which is an alkyl group. Similarly, the
4-nitrobut-1-yl group is a C.sub.4 aliphatic radical comprising a
nitro group, the nitro group being a functional group. An aliphatic
radical may be a haloalkyl group which comprises one or more
halogen atoms which may be the same or different. Halogen atoms
include, for example; fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine.
Aliphatic radicals comprising one or more halogen atoms include the
alkyl halides trifluoromethyl, bromodifluoromethyl,
chlorodifluoromethyl, hexafluoroisopropylidene, chloromethyl,
difluorovinylidene, trichloromethyl, bromodichloromethyl,
bromoethyl, 2-bromotrimethylene (e.g. --CH.sub.2CHBrCH.sub.2--),
and the like. Further examples of aliphatic radicals include allyl,
aminocarbonyl (i.e., --CONH.sub.2), carbonyl,
2,2-dicyanoisopropylidene (i.e., --CH.sub.2C(CN).sub.2CH.sub.2--),
methyl (i.e., --CH.sub.3), methylene (i.e., --CH.sub.2--), ethyl,
ethylene, formyl (i.e. --CHO), hexyl, hexamethylene, hydroxymethyl
(i.e. --CH.sub.2OH), mercaptomethyl (i.e., --CH.sub.2SH),
methylthio (i.e., --SCH.sub.3), methylthiomethyl (i.e.,
--CH.sub.2SCH.sub.3), methoxy, methoxycarbonyl (i.e.,
CH.sub.3OCO--), nitromethyl (i.e., --CH.sub.2NO.sub.2),
thiocarbonyl, trimethylsilyl (i.e. (CH.sub.3).sub.3Si--),
t-butyldimethylsilyl, 3-trimethyoxysilypropyl (i.e.,
(CH.sub.3O).sub.3SiCH.sub.2CH.sub.2CH.sub.2--), vinyl, vinylidene,
and the like. By way of further example, a C.sub.1-C.sub.10
aliphatic radical contains at least one but no more than 10 carbon
atoms. A methyl group (i.e., CH.sub.3--) is an example of a C.sub.1
aliphatic radical. A decyl group (i.e., CH.sub.3(CH2).sub.9-) is an
example of a C.sub.10 aliphatic radical.
[0035] Any numerical values recited herein include all values from
the lower value to the upper value in increments of one unit
provided that there is a separation of at least 2 units between any
lower value and any higher value. As an example, if it is stated
that the amount of a component or a value of a process variable
such as, for example, temperature, pressure, time and the like is,
for example, from 1 to 90, preferably from 20 to 80, more
preferably from 30 to 70, it is intended that values such as 15 to
85, 22 to 68, 43 to 51, 30 to 32 etc. are expressly enumerated in
this specification. For values which are less than one, one unit is
considered to be 0.0001, 0.001, 0.01 or 0.1 as appropriate. These
are only examples of what is specifically intended and all possible
combinations of numerical values between the lowest value and the
highest value enumerated are to be considered to be expressly
stated in this application in a similar manner.
EXAMPLES
[0036] Polystyrene (PS) used in the triplet measurements was a GPC
standard having weight average molecular weight of 18,700 and was
obtained from Aldrich Chemical Co., Milwaukee, Wis., USA. A green
phosphorescent dye, tris(2-(4-tolyl)phenylpyridine)iridium,
[Ir(mppy).sub.3] was purchased from American Dye Sources, Canada
and used as received. Glass pre-coated with indium tin oxide (ITO)
(Applied Films). Poly(3,4-ethylendioxythiophene/polystyrene
sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) was purchased from H.C. Starck Co., GmbH,
Leverkusen, Germany.
N,N'-diphenyl-N-N''-(bis(3-methylphenyl)-[1,1-biphenyl]-4-4'-diamine
(TPD) and 2-(4-biphenyllyl)-5-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole
(PBD) was used as a hole injection material and an electron
injection material, respectively. Both TPD and PBD were purchased
from Aldrich and used as received. All other chemicals and reagents
are obtained from Aldrich Chemical Co., Milwaukee, Wis., USA. Flash
chromatography was carried out by Fisher Scientific (100-200 mesh)
or Aldrich (60-350 mesh) silica gel, prepacked silical gel column
by Isco. Thin layer chromatography was carried out on commercially
available pre-coated glass plates (Analtech, GF, 250 microns).
General Methods
[0037] Molecular weights were determined relative to polystyrene
standards on a Perkin Elmer Series 200 GPC equipped with a Polymer
Laboratories size exclusion column (PLgel 5 .mu.m MIXED-C,
300.times.7.5 mm kept at 40.degree. C.) using chloroform with 3.6%
v/v isopropanol as the mobile phase. NMR spectra were measured on a
Bruker 400 or Bruker Advance 500 spectrometers.
Synthesis
[0038] The synthesis of the bis(9-(hydroxyphenyl)carbazol-3-yl) was
done in a three-step process as shown in scheme 1. This was
achieved by the addition of p-bromoanisole to carbazole followed by
coupling of the N-(4-methoxyphenyl) carbazole using FeCl.sub.3
catalyst, and finally deprotecting the methoxy group to give rise
to the dihydroxy compound.
##STR00007##
Example 1
Synthesis of Compound 1 9-(4-methoxyphenyl)-carbazole
[0039] Method 1: A flask containing a mixture of 5.025 g (0.03 mol)
carbazole, 7.3 g (0.04 mol) 4-bromoanisole, 12.5 g (0.09 mol)
K.sub.2CO.sub.3 in 200 ml toluene was evacuated and charged with
argon for three times, after which 2 mol % Pd (OAc).sub.2 and 0.1 g
tris(t-butyl)phosphine were added. The mixture was stirred for one
week under argon. Fresh Pd(OAc).sub.2 and Pt(t-Bu).sub.3 were added
after two days. After the mixture was allowed to cool and water was
added. The organic layer was separated, dried over MgSO.sub.4, and
concentrated. After column chromatography, white crystals were
obtained.
[0040] Method 2: To a three neck round bottom flask, was charged
bromoanisole (18.7 g, 100 mmol), carbazole (16.7 mg, 100 mmol),
potassium phosphate (21 g, 154 mmol) and copper iodide (1 g, 5
mmol). Dioxane (400 ml) was added and subsequently, the reaction
flask was flushed with N.sub.2. Dimethylethylene diamine (1 g, 5
mmol) was then added to the reaction flask via syringe. The
reaction mixture was then heated at 95.degree. C. for 24 h under
nitrogen. Then, the solution was cooled down to room temperature,
and 50 mL of H.sub.2O was added. The reaction mixture was extracted
with methylene chloride and the organic and aqueous phase was
separated. The organic phase was further washed twice with 50 mL of
water and once with 50 mL of brine and dried over Na.sub.2SO.sub.4.
The solvent was removed under vacuum to afford the crude product.
Recrystallization from methanol gave 17.99 g of white crystals of
compound 1. .sup.1H NMR (CDCl.sub.3) .delta. 8.17 (d, 2H), 7.48 (d,
2H), 7.43 (dt, 2H), 7.36 (d, 2H), 7.31 (dt, 2H), 7.14 (d, 2H), 3.96
(s, 3H). .sup.13C NMR (CDCl.sub.3): .delta. 159, 141, 130, 129,
126, 123, 120, 120, 115, 110, 56. EI-MS: 273(M+), 258.
Example 2
Synthesis of Compound 2 bis(9-(4-methoxyphenyl)carbazol-3-yl)
[0041] To a stirred solution of 8.03 g (29.4 mmol) of compound 1 in
500 mL chloroform under argon atmosphere was added at once 9.67 g
(59.6 mmol) of iron(III)chloride. After stirring at room
temperature for 40 hours, 250 mL of water was added. The organic
layer was separated was extracted thrice with 250 mL of water and
filtered through a pad of basic alumina. Then, a small amount of
methylene chloride was used to rinse the pad. The filtrate was
dried over Na.sub.2SO.sub.4, filtered and concentrated under
vacuum. The mixture was purified by recrystallizing from
THF/hexanes to afford the product compound 2 as white crystals at
52% yield. .sup.1H NMR (CDCl.sub.3): d 8.49 (d, 2H), 8.28 (d, 2H),
7.81 (dd, 2H), 7.54 (d, 4H), 7.47 (d, 2H), 7.46 (dt, 2H), 7.40 (d,
2H), 7.35 (dt, 2H), 7.18 (d, 4H), 3.97 (s, 6H). .sup.13C NMR
(CDCl.sub.3): d 159, 142, 141, 134, 130, 129, 126, 126, 124, 123,
120, 120, 119, 115, 110, 110, 56. EI-MS (M+): 544.
Example 3
Synthesis of Compound 3 bis(9-(hydroxyphenyl)carbazol-3-yl)
[0042] 0.544 g of compound 2 (1 mmol) was added to a 15 mL of
anhydrous CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2 in a 50 mL round-bottom flask and
stirred with a magnetic stir bar. Solution was cooled in an
ice-bath to 0.degree. C. under a nitrogen atmosphere. Boron
tribromide (2.4 mmol, 2.4 mL 1M in CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2) was added via
syringe dropwise to solution. The flask was removed from the
ice-bath and allowed to equilibrate to room temperature, followed
by one hour of stirring. The solution was decanted into 10 mL of
ice water in a 50 mL beaker. After 30 minutes of hydrolysis with
stirring, the organic layer was extracted with 2.times.10 mL of
CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2. The organic layer was washed with 2.times.15 mL
of cold water to neutralize any excess BBr.sub.3. Solution was
dried with sodium sulfate and the solvent was evaporated using a
rotary evaporator to afford 0.46 g (90%) solid. Recrystallization
from THF/hexanes afforded 0.346 g of product used in the following
polymerization. .sup.1H NMR (CDCl.sub.3): d 8.47 (b, 2H), 8.26 (d,
2H), 7.79 (dd, 2H), 7.49 (d, 4H), 7.45 (d, 2H), 7.38 (dt, 2H), 7.33
(d, 2H), 7.10 (d, 4H). EI-MS (M+): 516.
Example 4
Polymerization of bis(9-(hydroxyphenyl)carbazol-3-yl) with
BPA-Bischloroformate
[0043] A dry reaction vessel equipped with a magnetic stirring bar
under nitrogen atmosphere, charged with compound 3
bis(9-(hydroxyphenyl)carbazol-3-yl) (0.346 g, 0.6697 mmol),
BPA-bischloroformate (0.237 g, 0.6697 mmol), and 8 mL of dry
methylene chloride. The resulting milky solution was immersed in an
ice-salt bath for 15 minutes and then charged with 0.25 mL (1.79
mmol) of dry triethylamine. The mixture was maintained at
0-5.degree. C. with stirring for 1 h, allowed to warm to room
temperature, and stirred for an additional hour. Then the mixture
was diluted with 5 mL CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2, 1.0 mL of 10% NaHCO.sub.3
was added, and the mixture was stirred for 10 min and then
transferred to a separatory funnel. The aqueous phase was discarded
and the organic phase was washed successively with equal volumes of
1 N HCl (1.times.) and water (2.times.). The solution was
concentrated to 4 mL and then precipitated into 40 mL of methanol.
The collected polymer was redissolved in 10 mL of CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2
and this solution was added slowly to 1000 mL of boiling, deionized
water. The solids were again collected, air-dried, redissolved in
fresh CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2 (12 mL) and reprecipitated again into
methanol. The resulting polymer was dried at 80.degree. C. in a
vacuum oven overnight. GPC (Gel permeation chromatography) analysis
showed the polymer had a weight average molecular weight Mw of
31,500 k, and a polydispersity index PDI of 3.18.
Triplet Energy Levels Characterization
[0044] The triplet energy levels were obtained using a Perkin Elmer
LS55 spectrofluorimeter equipped with an uncooled R928 red
sensitive photo multiplier tube. The typical procedure was to place
a sample in a clean laboratory mortar and immerse the sample in
liquid nitrogen at least 2 minutes prior to the measurement to
ensure thermal equilibrium. Then the sample was optically excited.
Emission spectra were obtained by using the delayed collection
feature of the LS55, in which the detection is gated at time
delayed from the initial 20 .mu.s excitation pulse.
Example 5
Bis(9-(hydroxyphenyl)carbazol-3-yl) Containing Sample Preparation
for Triplet Energy Characterization
[0045] The sample for triplet energy levels was prepared in the
following manner: 10 mg of bis[9-(hydroxyphenyl)carbazol-3-yl] was
dissolved in 1 ml anhydrous THF. The solution was then spin-coated
onto a pre-cleaned quartz substrate.
Comparative Example 1
Ir(mppy).sub.3 Containing Sample for Triplet Energy
Characterization
[0046] The sample for triplet energy levels was prepared in the
following manner: A mixture of 1 wt %
tris(2-(4-tolyl)phenylpyridine)iridium (Ir(mppy).sub.3) in
polystyrene (PS) was prepared by mixing of 0.010 ml of 1 wt %
Ir(mppy).sub.3 (10 mg of Ir(mppy).sub.3 in 1 ml THF) with 1.0 ml of
1 wt % PS in THF, which was then spin-coated onto a pre-cleaned
quartz substrate.
[0047] FIG. 1 shows the emission spectra of the two samples. The
sample from Example 5 has a greater triplet energy level relative
to the sample from Comparative Example 1. For instance, the first
emission peak of the sample from Example 5 appears at 2.7 eV
relative to the 2.4 eV of the sample from Comparative Example
1.
Lifetime of Triplet Excited States of Ir(mppy).sub.3 in the
Presence and Absence of Compound 3
[0048] The lifetime of triplet excited states were measured using
an Edinburgh CD920 spectrometer equipped with a cooled R928 photo
multiplier tube. The typical procedure was to place a sample in a
vacuum dewer and then pump down to 4*10E.sup.-5 torr. Then the
sample was optically excited at 394 nm with a pulsed diode laser
(class HIB, 390-420 nm, maximum power of 5 mW). Time resolved
emission spectra were measured at 540 nm.
Example 6
Bis(9-(hydroxyphenyl)carbazol-3-yl)-Containing Sample Preparation
for Lifetime of Triplet Excited States Characterization
[0049] A mixture of 1 wt % Ir(mppy).sub.3 in
bis[9-(hydroxyphenyl)carbazol-3-yl] was prepared by mixing 0.010 ml
of 1 wt % Ir(mppy).sub.3 (10 mg of Ir(mppy).sub.3 in 1 ml THF) with
1.0 ml of 1 wt % bis[9-(hydroxyphenyl)carbazol-3-yl] in THF. The
solution was then spin-coated onto a pre-cleaned quartz
substrate.
Comparative Example 2
Polystyrene Containing Sample Preparation for Lifetime of Triplet
Excited States Characterization
[0050] A mixture of 1 wt % Ir(mppy).sub.3 in polystyrene was
prepared by mixing 0.010 ml of 1 wt % Ir(mppy).sub.3 (10 mg of
Ir(mppy).sub.3 in 1 ml THF) with 1.0 ml of 1 wt % PS in THF. The
solution was spin-coated onto a pre-cleaned quartz substrate.
[0051] FIG. 2 shows the triplet excited states decay profiles of
the phosphorescent dye in the presence and absence of
bis(9-(hydroxyphenyl)carbazol-3-yl). The phosphorescent dye had
comparable triplet decay profiles (equivalently lifetimes) when
dispersed in bis(9-(hydroxyphenyl)carbazol-3-yl) relative to an
insulating polystyrene matrix. The data is consistent with data
obtained from triplet energy measurements and suggests that there
is no energy transfer from the dye [Ir(mppy).sub.3] to the host
{either PS or bis[9-(hydroxyphenyl)carbazol-3-yl]}. Thus,
bis[9-(hydroxyphenyl)carbazol-3-yl] is suitable as a host material
for Ir(mppy).sub.3 in phosphorescent OLEDs.
Example 7
OLED Device Fabrication and Characterization
[0052] Glass pre-coated with indium tin oxide (ITO) was used as the
substrate. A layer (c.a. 65 nm) of poly
(3,4-ethylendioxythiophene/polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS), was
deposited onto ultraviolet-ozone treated ITO substrates via
spin-coating and then baked for 1 hour at 180.degree. C. in air.
N,N'-diphenyl-N-N''-bis(3-methylphenyl)-[1,1-biphenyl]4-4'-diamine
(TPD) and 2-(4-biphenyllyl)-5-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole
(PBD) was used as a hole injection material and an electron
injection material, respectively. A mixture solution of
bis[9-(hydroxyphenyl)carbazol-3-yl]:PBD:TPD:Ir(mppy).sub.3
(61:24:9:6) was prepared by mixing 1.220 ml of 1.5 wt % of
bis[9-(hydroxyphenyl)carbazol-3-yl] in chlorobenzene (CB), 0.240 ml
of 3.0 wt % of PBD in CB, 0.090 ml of 3.0 wt % TPD in CB and 0.18
ml of 1 wt % of Ir(mppy).sub.3 in CB. Then the mixture solution was
spin-coated onto the PEDOT:PSS and then baked at 70.degree. C. for
10 mins. The device fabrication was finished with the deposition of
a CsF (4 nm)/Al (100 nm) via thermal evaporation at a based
pressure of 2*10E.sup.-6 Torr. Following metal evaporation, the
devices were encapsulated using a glass slide sealed with an
optical adhesive (Norland.RTM. 68, obtained from Norland Products
Inc, New Jersey, U.S.A.
[0053] Performance of OLEDs was characterized by measuring
current-voltage-luminance (I-V-L) characteristics. A photodiode
calibrated with a luminance meter (Minolta LS-110) was used to
measure the luminance (in units of candela per square meter,
cd/m2). FIG. 3 shows that the maximum quantum efficiency,
represented by diamonds, is 21.9 cd/A, and the maximum power
efficiency, represented by squares, achieved was 14.2 lm/w. This is
comparable to the state-of-the-art (27 cd/A and 14.1 lm/w)
polymeric phosphorescent device as described in X. H. Yang, D.
Neher, D. Hertel and T. K. Daubler, "Highly efficient single-layer
polymer electrophosphorescent devices", Adv. Mater. Vol 16, pp
161-166, 2004.
[0054] While only certain features of the invention have been
illustrated and described herein, many modifications and changes
will occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be
understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such
modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the
invention.
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