Microscopic view of the inner workings of an OLED display, with molecules emitting blue light.

Brighter Blues: New Material Shatters Efficiency Ceiling for Deep-Blue OLEDs

Soraya Malik in Tech & Innovation December 2025 • 4 min read.

"A breakthrough in organic light-emitting diode (OLED) technology achieves record efficiency in deep-blue emission, paving the way for richer, more vibrant high-definition displays."

For years, the pursuit of perfect deep-blue light in organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) has been a challenge. Deep-blue OLEDs are essential for creating full-color displays with a wide color gamut, capable of rendering the most vivid and accurate images. However, achieving both deep-blue emission (characterized by specific color coordinates) and high energy efficiency has proven difficult, limiting the potential of OLED technology.

The core problem lies in the inherent limitations of exciton production efficiency – the process by which electrical energy is converted into light within the OLED. Traditional fluorescent materials are capped at a 25% efficiency due to singlet spin states. While phosphorescent and thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) materials offer pathways to surpass this limit, they often suffer from other drawbacks, such as reliance on rare metals or complex synthesis.

Now, a team of researchers has announced a breakthrough that overcomes these limitations. By synthesizing two novel blue luminogens and employing a unique strategy to prevent aggregation-caused quenching, they've achieved record-high external quantum efficiency (EQE) in deep-blue OLEDs, marking a significant step forward in display technology.

Unlocking Efficiency: The Science Behind the Deep-Blue Breakthrough

Microscopic view of the inner workings of an OLED display, with molecules emitting blue light.

The researchers focused on designing materials that not only emit deep-blue light but also maintain high efficiency. They synthesized two key compounds: trans-9,10-bis(2-butoxyphenyl)anthracene (BBPA) and trans-9,10-bis (2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)anthracene (DMPA). These luminogens exhibit high photoluminescence quantum yields (PLQYs) of 89.5% and 87.0%, respectively, meaning they efficiently convert absorbed light into emitted light.

A crucial aspect of their approach was addressing aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ), a phenomenon where molecules clump together, reducing light emission. To combat this, they introduced two host matrices with twisted molecular structures – 9,10-di(naphth-2-yl) anthracene and 10,10′-bis-(4-fluorophenyl)-3,3'-dimethyl-9,9-bianthracene (MBAn-(4)-F) – into the BBPA emission layer. This strategy effectively reduced the formation of excimers, which are excited dimers that waste energy through non-radiative decay.

BBPA and DMPA Synthesis: Created new materials with high light conversion efficiency.
Aggregation Prevention: Used twisted host matrices to keep molecules separated and emitting light effectively.
Record Efficiency: Achieved an unprecedented external quantum efficiency of 10.27% with precise color coordinates.

The resulting device, incorporating BBPA doped with MBAn-(4)-F, achieved a record-high EQE of 10.27% for deep-blue emission, with Commission International de L'Eclairage (CIE) coordinates of (0.15, 0.05). This CIE rating signifies a highly saturated, pure blue color. The steric effect, or spatial arrangement of the molecules, plays a key role in achieving this performance.

Implications and Future Directions

This research represents a significant leap forward in the quest for high-performance deep-blue OLEDs. The ability to achieve high efficiency and color purity simultaneously opens doors for displays with more vibrant colors, greater energy efficiency, and improved overall image quality.

The steric effect strategy employed by the researchers offers a promising avenue for further optimization. By carefully tailoring the molecular structure and spatial arrangement of materials within OLEDs, it may be possible to unlock even greater efficiencies and color control.

While challenges remain, such as further improving the operational stability and lifetime of these devices, this breakthrough brings us closer to a future where displays offer truly immersive and lifelike visual experiences.

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This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1016/j.isci.2018.10.026, Alternate LINK

Title: Efficient Deep-Blue Electrofluorescence With An External Quantum Efficiency Beyond 10%

Subject: Multidisciplinary

Journal: iScience

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Authors: Shuanglong Wang, Mengya Qiao, Zhonghua Ye, Dehai Dou, Minyu Chen, Yan Peng, Ying Shi, Xuyong Yang, Lei Cui, Jiuyan Li, Chunju Li, Bin Wei, Wai-Yeung Wong

Published: 2018-11-01

Everything You Need To Know

What are the key materials and strategies used to achieve record efficiency in deep-blue OLEDs?

The key innovation lies in the synthesis of two novel blue luminogens, trans-9,10-bis(2-butoxyphenyl)anthracene (BBPA) and trans-9,10-bis (2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)anthracene (DMPA), which exhibit high photoluminescence quantum yields (PLQYs). Furthermore, to prevent aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ), the researchers introduced two host matrices with twisted molecular structures – 9,10-di(naphth-2-yl) anthracene and 10,10′-bis-(4-fluorophenyl)-3,3'-dimethyl-9,9-bianthracene (MBAn-(4)-F) – into the BBPA emission layer. This combination of materials and strategies allows for efficient deep-blue light emission while minimizing energy loss.

What is aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ), and how was it addressed in the development of these deep-blue OLEDs?

Aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ) is a phenomenon where molecules clump together, leading to a reduction in light emission efficiency. In the context of OLEDs, when the light-emitting molecules aggregate, they form excimers, which are excited dimers that waste energy through non-radiative decay. To combat this, the researchers introduced twisted host matrices like 9,10-di(naphth-2-yl) anthracene and 10,10′-bis-(4-fluorophenyl)-3,3'-dimethyl-9,9-bianthracene (MBAn-(4)-F) into the BBPA emission layer. These matrices prevent the luminogens from clumping together, preserving their ability to emit light effectively.

What external quantum efficiency (EQE) was achieved, and what do the CIE coordinates signify for the deep-blue emission?

The reported external quantum efficiency (EQE) is 10.27% for deep-blue emission, with Commission International de L'Eclairage (CIE) coordinates of (0.15, 0.05). The CIE coordinates signify a highly saturated, pure blue color. This level of efficiency, combined with the color purity, makes these OLEDs suitable for use in high-definition displays, providing richer and more accurate color reproduction. While this is a significant achievement, further improvements in EQE could lead to even more energy-efficient and vibrant displays.

What limitations do traditional fluorescent materials have, and how do trans-9,10-bis(2-butoxyphenyl)anthracene (BBPA) and trans-9,10-bis (2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)anthracene (DMPA) help overcome them?

Traditional fluorescent materials are limited to a maximum efficiency of 25% due to singlet spin states. This limitation arises from the way electrical energy is converted into light within the OLED. Phosphorescent and thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) materials offer potential solutions to surpass this limit, but they often suffer from other drawbacks, such as reliance on rare metals or complex synthesis processes, increasing production costs and environmental concerns. The use of trans-9,10-bis(2-butoxyphenyl)anthracene (BBPA) and trans-9,10-bis (2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)anthracene (DMPA) allows to bypass these limitations.

What role does the steric effect play in achieving the high performance of these deep-blue OLEDs using trans-9,10-bis(2-butoxyphenyl)anthracene (BBPA) doped with MBAn-(4)-F?

The use of trans-9,10-bis(2-butoxyphenyl)anthracene (BBPA) doped with MBAn-(4)-F is a critical factor. The steric effect, or spatial arrangement of the molecules, plays a crucial role in achieving high performance. The twisted molecular structures of the host matrices prevent aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ), ensuring that the luminogens emit light efficiently. Additionally, the high photoluminescence quantum yields (PLQYs) of BBPA and DMPA contribute to the overall efficiency of the device, maximizing light output while minimizing energy loss.