Red–yellow electroluminescence, yellow–green photoluminescence of novel N, O donor ligands–chelated zirconium (IV) complexes

In this paper, eight new zirconium complexes with 1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylic acid (H4btec), 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) and 4,7-diphenyl–1,10-phenanthroline (Bphen), were prepared and used as light emitting material in fabricated OLEDs. The structures of these complexes were characterized by UV–vis, FT-IR spectroscopy, 1H-NMR, CHN and ICP–AES. A yellow–green photoluminescence (PL) emission with a red shift compared to the PVK:PBD blend was observed. Devices with Zr complexes with the structure ITO/PEDOT:PSS/PVK:PBD/zirconium complex/Al emitted a yellow–red light originating from the Zr complexes. We believe that electroplex occurring at PVK–Zr complex interface is responsible for the red emission in the EL of the device. - Highlights: ► Novel photoluminescence zirconium (IV) complexes with hole transport ligands are synthesized. ► Yellow–green photoluminescence emission is shown red shift rather than PVK:PBD blend. ► The control of the emission properties of OLED devices is explored by adding of π-extended ligands such as Bphen. ► El spectra are shown a red shift of the emission bands in respond to the addition of Π-conjugated ligands. ► Electroplex emission at PVK–Zr complex is proposed.