Structural, thermal, and spectral characterization of the different crystalline forms of Alq 3, tris(quinolin-8-olato)aluminum(III), an electroluminescent material in OLED technology

• Published in: Polyhedron Vol. 28; no. 4; pp. 835 - 843
• Main Authors: Rajeswaran, Manju, Blanton, Thomas N., Tang, Ching W., Lenhart, William C., Switalski, Steven C., Giesen, David J., Antalek, Brian J., Pawlik, Thomas D., Kondakov, Denis Y., Zumbulyadis, Nicholas, Young, Ralph H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 2009
• Subjects: Alq 3; Electroluminescence; Electron-transport; Isomers; OLED; Polymorphism; OLED; Electroluminescence; Isomers; Alq 3; Polymorphism; Electron-transport
• ISSN: 0277-5387
• DOI: 10.1016/j.poly.2008.12.022

The interest in organic materials for use in organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) began with the pioneering report of efficient green electroluminescence from Alq 3, by Tang & VanSlyke. Alq 3 is used in the electron transport and/or electron-injecting layer in OLED devices. In the present report, a combined structural, thermal, and spectroscopic analysis of different crystalline phases of Alq 3 is presented. The interest in organic materials for use in organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) began with the pioneering report of efficient green electroluminescence from Alq 3, tris(quinolin-8-olato)aluminum(III), by Tang and Van Slyke [C.W. Tang, S.A. Van Slyke, Appl. Phys. Lett. 51 (1987) 913]. After more than 20 years of intense research and development in OLEDs, Alq 3 continues to be a widely used electroluminescent material in OLED technology. Alq 3 is used in the electron-transport and/or electron-injecting layer in multilayer device structures and also as an effective host material for various dyes. Much is known about the properties of this metal chelate complex, yet much remains unknown despite numerous studies. In recent years, five crystalline phases (α, β, γ, δ, and ε) of Alq 3 have been identified. In the present report, a combined structural, thermal, and spectroscopic (Raman, fluorescence, and nuclear magnetic resonance) analysis of different crystalline phases of Alq 3 is presented.