Polymer Phosphorescence Device using a New Green Emitting Ir(III) Complex

We have synthesized a new green Ir(III) complex fac-tris-(3-methyl-2-phenyl pyridine)iridium(III) $Ir(mpp)_3$ and fabricated phosphorescent polymer light-emitting device using it as a triplet emissive dopant in PVK. $Ir(mpp)_3$ showed absorption centered at 388 nm corresponding to the $^1MLCT$ transition as .evidenced by its extinction coefficient of the order of $10^3{\cdot}$ From the PL and EL spectra of the $Ir(mpp)_3$ doped PVK film, the emission maximum was observed at 523 nm, due to the radiative decay from the $^3MLCT$ state to the ground state, confirming a complete energy transfer from PVK to $Ir(mpp)_3$. The methyl substitution has probably caused a red shift in the absorption and emission spectrum compared to $Ir(mpp)_3$. The device consisting of a 2 % doped PVK furnished 4.5 % external quantum efficiency at 72 $cd/m^2$ (current density of 0.45 $mA/cm^2$ and drive voltage of 13.9 V) and a peak luminance of 25,000 $cd/m^2$ at 23.4 V (494 $mA/cm^2$). This work demonstrates the impact of the presence of a methyl substituent at the 3-position of the pyridyl ring of 2-phenylpyridine on the photophysical and electroluminescence properties.