Tailored Synergistic Vibronic Progression and Charge Transfer in 1,2-BN-Heteroarenes for Efficient and Stable Narrowband Electroluminescence

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Contributors

  • Han Zhang - , Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Author)
  • Chenfa Xiao - , South China University of Technology (Author)
  • Baoxi Li - , South China University of Technology (Author)
  • Yi Hong Liu - , Shantou University (Author)
  • Zhiming Wang - , South China University of Technology (Author)
  • Jinshi Li - , Max Planck Institute of Micostructure Physics, TUD Dresden University of Technology, Center for Advancing Electronics Dresden (cfaed) (Author)
  • Jingli Lou - , South China University of Technology (Author)
  • Bingzhu Ma - , South China University of Technology (Author)
  • Lu Liu - , South China University of Technology (Author)
  • Jiajie Zeng - , South China University of Technology (Author)
  • Zujin Zhao - , South China University of Technology (Author)
  • Jianwei Sun - , Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Author)
  • Ryan T.K. Kwok - , Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Author)
  • Shao Fei Ni - , Shantou University (Author)
  • Jacky W.Y. Lam - , Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Author)
  • Ben Zhong Tang - , Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen (Author)

Abstract

The development of organic narrowband emitters faces long-standing challenges in expanding structural diversity, improving synthetic efficiency, elucidating narrowband emission mechanisms, and enhancing overall electroluminescence (EL) performance. Herein, we report a new class of narrowband emitters based on 1,2-BN-heteroarenes, enabled by a systematic design strategy that integrates planar locking, peripheral rotation, and BN-unit extension to tailor vibronic progression in alignment with the principles governing narrowband emission. They are readily synthesized using a borenium species-promoted, amine-directed one-pot borylation in yields over 80%, and exhibit tunable emission colors arising from interplay among locally excited (LE), long-range charge-transfer (CT), and short-range CT states. Representative emitters [B-N]2 and [B-N]2-DPA exhibit peak emissions at 460 and 482 nm with ultranarrow full widths at half-maximums (FWHMs) of 16 and 18 nm, respectively, and near-unity photoluminescence (PL) quantum yields. Furthermore, by employing a “hot-exciton layer” design to facilitate exciton dynamics, the corresponding narrowband organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) deliver a high maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 29.6%, an exceptionally low efficiency roll-off of 5.7% at 1000 cd m–2, and superior operational stability compared with the control 1,4-BN-heteroarene. These findings offer new insights into the design of narrowband emitters with diverse structures and high EL performance.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)20959-20973
Number of pages15
JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society
Volume148
Issue number20
Publication statusPublished - 27 May 2026
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 42128802