All-perylene-derivative for white light emitting diodes

International audienceAn organic-based bright white light emitting compound, namely Tb(H3PTC)3 [H4PTC = perylene3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic acid], able to be used as part of a white diode and as a part of a RGB systemthat can withstand high temperatures (B700 K), is developed using perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylicdianhydride (PTCDA) and terbium(III) nitrate pentahydrate as precursors by hydrothermal synthesis. UsingPTCDA as the red emitter and the new derivative of it, Tb(H3PTC)3, as the blue-green emitter, alongwith a common deep blue LED can form a RGB system for display technologies, around roomtemperature. Temperature-dependent photoluminescence properties of the Tb(H3PTC)3 compound arealso investigated for the involved excitonic-emission processes and the respective recombinationlifetimes. The terbium(III) complex was prepared using a procedure that is reproducible, easily modifiable,inexpensive, and environmentally friendly, opening new pathways for its large-scale applications. UnlikePTCDA, Tb(H3PTC)3 has been shown to be soluble in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) as well as in diluteaqueous solutions of this organic solvent in a straightforward procedure. The light emission propertiesare intimately correlated with the molecular structure and electronic properties of Tb(H3PTC)3elucidated by experimental results of X-ray Absorption Near Edge Spectroscopy (XANES), ExtendedX-ray Absorption Fine Structure (EXAFS) and Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations. A brightfluorescence yield is attained with a small amount of material either in solution or in solid form showingits potential to be used in state-of-the-art organic optoelectronic device