Solid-state light-emitting devices based on the tris-chelated ruthenium(II) complex. 4. High-efficiency light-emitting devices based on derivatives of the tris(2,2'-bipyridyl) ruthenium(II) complex.

Light-emitting devices from the tris(2,2'-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) complex [Ru(bpy)(3)(2+)] and new derivatives thereof were prepared. Due to the electrochemical nature of the device operation, single-layer devices in an ITO/ Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) complex + PMMA/Ag sandwich configuration achieved very high external quantum efficiencies. The derivatives of the Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) complex were designed and synthesized to inhibit self-quenching of the excited state by adding different alkyl substituents on the bipyridyl ligands. As a result, devices that contain these new Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) complexes show a higher photoluminescence and electroluminescence efficiency than devices made from the unmodified Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) complex. External quantum efficiencies up to 5.5% at brightnesses in the range of 10-50 cd/m(2) are reported. In addition, the response time of such devices (which is a result of the electrochemical operation) has been shortened dramatically. An "instantaneous" light emission is achieved for devices that employ smaller counterions such as BF(4)(-) to increase the ionic conductivity. Such a device shows a response time of less than 1 s to emit 10-20 cd/m(2) after the operating voltage of 2.4 V has been applied.