Solution-Processed Yellow Organic Light-Emitting Diodes Based on Two New Ionic Ir (III) Complexes

Two new and efficient cationic yellow-emissive Ir (III) complexes (Ir1 and Ir2) are rationally designed by using 2-(4-chloro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-4-methylquinoline as the main ligand, and, respectively, 4,4′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridyl and 4,4′-dimethoxy-2,2′-bipyridyl as the ancillary ligands. Both complexes show enhanced phosphorescence (546 nm with 572 nm as shoulder and high phosphorescent quantum efficiency in solution, which is in favor of efficient solution-processed phosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes. Compared with Ir2, the Ir1-based device displays excellent device performance, with maximum external quantum efficiency, current efficiency, and power efficiency of up to 7.92%, 26.32 cd/A and 15.31 lm/W, respectively, thus proving that the two new ionic Ir (III) complexes exhibit great potential for future solution-processed electroluminescence.