Unconventional Molecular Design Approach of High-Efficiency Deep Blue Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescent Emitters Using Indolocarbazole as an Acceptor

Unconventional blue thermally activated delayed fluorescent emitters having electron-donating type indolocarbazole as an acceptor were developed by attaching carbazolylcarbazole or acridine donors to the indolocarbazole acceptor. Three compounds were derived from the indolocarbazole acceptor. The indolocarbazole–acridine combined products showed efficient delayed fluorescent behavior and a high quantum efficiency of 19.5% with a color coordinate of (0.15, 0.16) when they were evaluated as thermally activated delayed fluorescent emitters in deep blue fluorescent devices. This is the first demonstration of the use of electron-donating carbazole-derived moieties as efficient acceptor units of blue thermally activated delayed fluorescent emitters.