Electric field and charge induced quenching of luminescence in electroluminescent emitters based on lanthanide complexes

Strong total (δtot) and amplitude (δamplitude) luminescence quenching (over 50%) in line-like emitters (organolanthanides) has been observed from the time-resolved emission at increasing electric fields. By manipulating the electrode materials and their electrical bias, it has been possible to show that two mechanisms are equally effective in reducing the emission quantum yield, (i) the electric field-enhanced dissociation of the ligand precursor excited states of the emissive lanthanide ion states, and (ii) the interaction of the precursor states with the charge injected from electrodes into the emitters.