Luminescence and electroluminescence of bis (2-(benzimidazol-2-yl) quinolinato) zinc. Exciplex formation and energy transfer in mixed film of bis (2-(benzimidazol-2-yl) quinolinato) zinc and N,N0-bis-(1-naphthyl)-N,N0-diphenyl-1,10-biphenyl-4,40-diamine

The absorption and emission properties of benzimidazol-2-yl-quinoline (BIQ) and bis (2-(benzimidazol-2-yl) quinolinato) zinc (ZnBIQ) a new emitter used for organic light emitting device (OLED) were reported. Exciplexes are observed for ZnBIQ with N,N0-bis-(1-naphthyl)- N,N0-diphenyl-1,10-biphenyl-4,40-diamine (NPB) system, in both electro- and photoluminescent processes. The identification of exciplex emission in co-evaporated and multi-layer ZnBIQ thin film was reported for the first time. The optical formation of the exciplex involves the excitation of a single molecule, followed by the relaxation of that exciton into a lower energy exciplex state. Both BIQ and ZnBIQ possess very high thermal stabilities and can be purified by subliming under the high vacuum condition. Devices consisting of ZnBIQ as the emitting layer have been fabricated, and the emission spectra of ZnBIQ-base devices gave a voltage-dependent spectrum, with the red emission observed (3–7 V), switching over to strong white emission as the bias was raised. q 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved