J-aggregate electroluminescence in polymer matrices

Cyanine dye electroluminescence was observed in single layer light-emitting diodes based on electron-hole conducting polymers, The appearance of light emission in the visible range depended on the reduction/oxidation potentials of the dyes used. In polymer systems, the electroluminescence of cyanine dye J-aggregate nanocrystalline phase was detected for the first time. J-aggregate/polymer composites exhibiting intense absorption band with a maximum in the red range were developed on the base of polyimides and a copolymer coformed from phenylacetylene and 4-methylcoumarin-4-pentynoate doped with the dye luminophores. Efficient electrolumunescence was revealed in these systems. It was demostrated that J-aggregates play an active role in charge carrier transport in the composite materials. In particular, anthracene-containing polyimides exhibiting electron-hole transport appeared to be appropriate media for the generation of J-aggregate electroluminescence.