A zinc porphyrin-amidine as a green carbon-based electron transport material for organic-light emitting diodes

Abstract

Charge injection and transport interlayers based on artificial green carbon materials are imperative for a sustainable future of many classes of optoelectronic devices, including organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). Especially, porphyrin derivatives can act as efficient energy and charge funnels mimicking their successful photosynthetic function. Here, we report on the application of a novel green carbon material, in particular, a zinc porphyrin derivative bearing an amidine functional group (referred to as ZnP-amidine), as an electron transport material in fluorescent OLEDs based on a green-yellow co-polymer emitter. ZnP-amidine is processed from environmental friendly solvents without any annealing requirements thus being suitable for low-cost sustainable optoelectronics. It is applies as an ultra-thin interlayer between the aluminum cathode and the emissive layer to enable efficient electron transport and stable performance. This work paves the path towards low-cost green carbon materials inspired by natural processes for organic optoelectronics.