A Codeposition Route to CuI−Pyridine Coordination Complexes for Organic Light-Emitting Diodes

We demonstrate a new approach for utilizing CuI coordination complexes as emissive layers in organic light-emitting diodes that involves in situ codeposition of CuI and 3,5-bis(carbazol-9-yl)pyridine (mCPy). With a simple three-layer device structure, pure green electroluminescence at 530 nm from a Cu(I) complex was observed. A maximum luminance and external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 9700 cd/m2 and 4.4%, respectively, were achieved. The luminescent species was identified as [CuI(mCPy)2]2 on the basis of photophysical studies of model complexes and X-ray absorption spectroscopy.