Investigation of a binuclear gallium complex with bipolar charge transporting capability for organic light-emitting diodes

Abstract

Detailed theoretical and experimental investigations have been presented on a novel binuclear gallium complex Ga2(saph)2q2, a potentially active and novel material for organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). The density-functional theory has been employed to shed light on the reason why this complex exhibits bipolar character. Theoretical results, such as ionization potential and electron affinity, and optimized geometries are in good agreement with what we have obtained experimentally. Our theoretical analysis provides new insight into the origin of bipolar features. Such character enables the gallium complex to become a prosperous hole and electron transporter used to fabricate single-layer OLEDs, which exhibit better electroluminescence compared with those originated from the previously well-adopted tri(8-hydroxyquinoline)aluminum (Alq3). An OLED device of single Ga2(saph)2q2 layer exhibiting desirable performances has been fabricated, which is in good agreement with the theoretical analysis.