journal article·2025-09Open access

It Matters Where the Heavy Atom Is Placed: Optimizing the Spin–Orbital Coupling in Multiresonant TADF (MR‐TADF) Emitters and Its Impact on OLED Performance

Dongyang Chen, Hui Wang, Feng Huang, David B. Cordes, Aidan P. McKay, Kai Wang, Xiao‐Hong Zhang, Eli Zysman‐Colman

Advanced Functional Materials· Volume 35· Issue 37

Abstract

Abstract This study explores the impact of the regioisomerism of a heavy chalcogen atom on the photophysical properties of multi‐resonant thermally activated delayed fluorescence (MR‐TADF) materials. Two pairs of isomeric MR‐TADF emitters containing different benzothienocarbazole moieties, tDPABT1B/tDPABT2B and tCzBT1B/tCzBT2B, are synthesized. Theoretical calculations indicate that tDPABT2B and tCzBT2B possess higher spin–orbital coupling values (0.27 and 0.60 cm⁻¹) compared to their respective isomers. The photophysical study reveals that tDPABT2B and tCzBT2B have twofold faster reverse intersystem crossing rate constants of 0.5 × 10⁵ and 2.7 × 10⁵ s⁻¹, respectively, than their isomeric counterparts. The sensitizer‐free organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs) with tCzBT1B and tCzBT2B exhibit green emissions [CIE coordinates of (0.12, 0.54)] and show high maximum external quantum efficiencies (EQE max ) of 34.9 and 34.3%, respectively. Notably, the device with tCzBT2B demonstrates a reduced efficiency roll‐off (34% decrease at 1000 cd cm⁻ 2 ) compared to that with tCzBT1B (48% decrease at 1000 cd cm⁻ 2 ), highlighting the distinct benefits and importance of the regiochemistry of the heavy atom in contributing to an enhancing device performance.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Organic Light-Emitting Diodes Research · Organic Electronics and Photovoltaics · Semiconductor materials and devices

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM) Joint International Research Laboratory of Carbon‐Based Functional Materials and Devices Soochow University Suzhou Jiangsu 21523 P. R. China

Organic Semiconductor Centre EaStCHEM School of Chemistry University of St Andrews St Andrews Fife KY16 9ST UK

Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon‐Based Functional Materials & Devices Soochow University Suzhou Jiangsu 215123 P. R. China

Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Negative Carbon Technologies Soochow University Suzhou Jiangsu 21523 P. R. China

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China · Science and Technology Program of Suzhou · Higher Education Discipline Innovation Project · China Postdoctoral Science Foundation · Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province · Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council

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