Fluorescence quenching and enhancement of vitrifiable oligofluorenes end-capped with tetraphenylethene

Abstract

We report the synthesis of novel amorphous fluorene-based fluorophores that have been end-capped with tetraphenylethene (TPE). Although in the solid state the fluorophores show bright cyan fluorescence with high (68%) photoluminescence quantum efficiency (PLQE), strong fluorescence quenching is observed in solution with low PLQE values ranging from 0.3% to 2.1%. When the fluorophores were added to a 90% water–THF solvent mixture nanoparticles were formed, which was confirmed by Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). Subsequent fluorescence measurements reveal that all the fluorophores exhibit aggregation induced emission (AIE) with high PLQE (41%). We have carried out a comparative study of 5 fluorene-based TPE materials (F(1–5)TPE), in which the fluorene core is extended, and investigated their thermal, optical, electrochemical and electroluminescence properties. From fluorescence quantum yield data we have discovered that the AIE effect decreases as the fluorene core increases both in the nanoparticle and in the solid state. Thermal analysis reveals that all fluorophores are amorphous with high thermal stabilities. Potential application in solid state vapour sensing has been demonstrated using dichloromethane that shows “on” and “off” fluorescence behaviour. Finally, Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLEDs) have been fabricated with device configuration ITO/PEDOT/F(1–5)TPE/TPBi/LiF/Al. The best OLED device that incorporates F1-TPE as the emitter exhibits a turn-on voltage of 5.8 V, Lmax = 1300 cd m−2, ηP,max = 1 lm W−1 and ηC,max = 2.6 cd A−1.