Effective adjustment of the optoelectronic properties of organic conjugated materials by synthesizing p-n diblock molecules

Abstract

Because organic conjugated materials offer several advantages relative to their inorganic counterparts, the development of organic conjugated materials has been one of the most active research areas in optoelectronic materials. For almost two decades, the search for organic conjugated materials has represented a major driving force for research concerned with controlling the band gap of extended π-conjugated molecules. In particular, among the parameters affecting the performance of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), the energy levels of organic conjugated materials play an important role because they can affect the driving voltage, wavelength, efficiency, and lifetime of the final device. Balanced injection and transport of electrons and holes are therefore crucial for achieving OLEDs with high quantum efficiency. In this regard, research into adjusting the energy levels of organic conjugated materials is very meaningful for the development of OLEDs. To adjust the energy levels of the organic conjugated materials, Huang et al. have presented a new molecular design and synthesis route that yields p-n diblock conjugated copolymers and oligomers. The present review summarizes and analyzes the progress on adjusting the optoelectronic properties of organic conjugated materials that is due to synthesizing p-n diblock molecules. We discusses primarily work done by Huang et al., but also discusses work done elsewhere over the past few years. We also point out issues that require attention, and highlight hot spots that require further investigation. © 2011 Science China Press and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.