Efficient deep-red electroluminescent donor-acceptor copolymers based on 6,7-dichloroquinoxaline

Since the large steric hindrance caused by chlorine atoms not only suppresses the aggregation but also results in large stokes shift and low self-absorption, a series of donor-acceptor alternating copolymers based on 6,7-dichloroquinoxaline have been synthesized by modifying the structures of oligothiophenes. All the polymers have been well characterized to study the effects of the length of oligothiophenes and the steric hindrance on the optical, electronic and electroluminescent properties. It was observed that the intramolecular charge transfer absorption was weakened by steric hindrance. Unlike non-chloride analogues, prolonged conjugated length resulted in smaller bandgap, given similar steric hindrance. Deep-red emission centered at 678 nm with brightness about 1800 cd m−2 was achieved with external quantum efficiency 1.34% using dopant/host technic.