Enhancing Fast RISC in Hot‐Exciton Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence Emitter Through Fused Ring Modification: A Theoretical Insights

Abstract

AbstractRecent progress has shown promising advancements in enhancing the Reverse intersystem crossing (RISC) process between high‐energy triplet states (Tn, n ≥ 1) and radiative singlet states (Sm) through the utilization of the classic D‐A‐D' strategy. In this study, 12 molecules employing phenyl carbazole and a peripheral phenanthroimidazole as the donors and fused cores as acceptors are theoretically designed. Additionally, electron‐withdrawing groups such as fluorine and cyano, as well as electron‐donating group like methoxy, are incorporated into anthracene, napthaoxadiazole, and napthothiadiazole derivatives, acting as fused core components. Theoretical analyses reveal that among the molecules examined, eight adhere to the three golden principle rules, demonstrating a large energy gap between S1‐T1, the minimal ΔES1‐T2, and large T2‐T1. Additionally, these molecules exhibit significant Spin‐orbit coupling (SOC) and maintain a strong Hybridized local and charge transfer (HLCT) character, facilitating the fast hRISC from T2 to S1. The auxiliary inclusion of heteroatoms, such as oxygen and sulfur, on the anthracene core, aligns with the prerequisite strategy, ultimately reinforcing the SOC. Furthermore, replacing the methoxy group on the Nz bridge significantly enhances the SOC, resulting in a substantial increase in the hRISC rate (10 +08 s−1). Overall, the findings substantially elevate the photophysical attributes of the designed molecules through the utilization of the hRISC channel.