Exciplex-enabled high-efficiency, fully stretchable OLEDs
TL;DR
Researchers developed fully stretchable OLEDs with record efficiency using an exciplex-assisted phosphorescent layer and MXene-contact electrodes, achieving 17.0% EQE and minimal luminescence loss under strain.
Key Takeaways
- •Incorporated an intrinsically stretchable exciplex-assisted phosphorescent layer to achieve over 200% stretchability and 21.7% EQE.
- •Integrated MXene-contact stretchable electrodes with high mechanical robustness and tunable work function for efficient charge injection.
- •Enabled fully stretchable OLEDs with a record 17.0% EQE and minimal performance loss under 60% strain.
Tags
Abstract
Fully stretchable organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), composed entirely of intrinsically stretchable materials, are essential for on-skin displays1,2,3. However, their low device efficiency has been a persistent barrier to practical applications for more than a decade4. Here we addressed this challenge by incorporating an intrinsically stretchable exciplex-assisted phosphorescent (ExciPh) layer. The elastomer-tolerant triplet-recycling mechanism mitigates exciton energy transfer limitations arising from the insulating elastomer matrix, yielding a light-emitting layer with more than 200% stretchability and an external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 21.7%. To translate this performance to fully stretchable devices, we integrated MXene-contact stretchable electrodes (MCSEs), which feature high mechanical robustness and tunable work function (WF), ensuring efficient hole and electron injection. These advances enable fully stretchable OLEDs with a record EQE of 17.0% and minimal luminescence loss under 60% strain. This approach to designing high-efficiency, mechanically compliant optoelectronics will enable the next-generation wearable and deformable displays.
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Data availability
All of the data supporting this manuscript are available in the form of Source Data files and the supplementary material. Source data are provided with this paper.
References
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