Organic Host Materials for Solution-Processed Phosphorescent Organic Light-Emitting Diodes

As a new technology for flat-panel displays and general lighting sources, solution-processed phosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes (PhOLEDs) unfurl a bright future, due to their merits of high quantum efficiency and easy fabrication. In recent years, great progress has been made in the device performance of solution-processed PhOLEDs, by developing both high-efficiency organometallic phosphors and novel solution-processable organic host materials. This review highlights recently developed organic host materials for triplet guest emitters in solution-processed PhOLEDs. The solution-processable host materials are classified into three types - small molecule, dendrimer, and polymer - according to their molecular architecture and molecular weight. The material design concept and the relationships between the molecular structure, material properties and device performance are the focus of this discussion. A future strategy for the development of high-performance solution-processed host materials is proposed.