Innovative phosphor optoelectronic components

Phosphorus chemist Professor Jan J. Weigand from the Dresden University of Technology, together with an interdisciplinary team, has developed a method for introducing phosphorus and nitrogen atoms into polycyclic molecules. This method could pave the way for the development of new materials with specific optoelectronic properties, ideal for applications in organic semiconductor technologies such as OLEDs and sensors. The results were published this week in Chemistry.

Polyaromatic hydrocarbons, abbreviated as PAHs, play a central role in many (opto-)electronic applications, including chemical sensors, organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), organic field-effect transistors (OFETs), and organic solar cells. .

Researchers are continually exploring the substitution of various elements beyond traditional carbon to optimize device performance and versatility. Although the substitution of boron (B), nitrogen (N), oxygen (O) and sulfur (S) has already been the subject of extensive research, the integration of phosphorus (P) in combination with nitrogen (N) remains a major challenge.

Professor Weigand and his research group at the TUD Dresden University of Technology recently achieved a significant breakthrough. “In our current research, we have developed an innovative method to selectively introduce phosphorus and nitrogen atoms into polyaromatic systems.

“This method enabled the synthesis of a wide range of P/N substituted compounds, whose physicochemical properties were studied extensively in collaboration with physicists at TUD. Through the combination of materials simulations and spectroscopic measurements, we were able to acquire fundamental knowledge on the structure-property relationships of the compounds obtained.

The new method provides access to the well-known class of azaphospholes, which were previously only accessible in a very cumbersome manner and mostly in very low yields. Therefore, until now they have not been considered for (opto-)electronic applications.

“By deliberately combining phosphorus and nitrogen, we hope to be able to control the electronic and optical properties of these compounds in a way that was not possible before. This opens up exciting prospects for future applications in optoelectronics and beyond “, adds Sebastian Reineke, Group Head of Electroluminescent and eXcitonic Organic Semiconductors (LEXOS) at TUD.