Efficient deep-blue electroluminescence from Ce-based metal halide.

Yang, Longbo; Du, Hainan; Li, Jinghui; Luo, Yiqi; Lin, Xia; Pang, Jincong; Liu, Yuxuan; Gao, Liang et al. · Nat Commun · 2024

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Rare earth ions with d-f transitions (Ce<sup>3+</sup>, Eu<sup>2+</sup>) have emerged as promising candidates for electroluminescence applications due to their abundant emission spectra, high light conversion efficiency, and excellent stability. However, directly injecting charge into 4f orbitals remains a significant challenge, resulting in unsatisfied external quantum efficiency and high operating voltage in rare earth light-emitting diodes. Herein, we propose a scheme to solve the difficulty by utilizing the energy transfer process. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and transient absorption spectra suggest that the Cs<sub>3</sub>CeI<sub>6</sub> luminescence process is primarily driven by the energy transfer from the I<sub>2</sub>-based self-trapped exciton to the Ce-based Frenkel exciton. Furthermore, energy transfer efficiency is largely improved by enhancing the spectra overlap between the self-trapped exciton emission and the Ce-based Frenkel exciton excitation. When implemented as an active layer in light-emitting diodes, they show the maximum brightness and external quantum efficiency of 1073 cd m<sup>-2</sup> and 7.9%, respectively.