Exploring the molecular electronic device applications of synthetically versatile silicon pincer complexes as charge transport and electroluminescent layers

Abstract

Hexacoordinate silicon pincer complexes using 2,6-bis(benzimidazol-2-yl)pyridine (bzimpy) ligands have been developed as a multifunctional, molecular electronic materials platform. We report the synthesis, characterization, and device application of a variety of Si(pincer)₂ complexes that exhibit tunable optoelectronic properties and excellent thermal stabilities. Promising, ambipolar charge carrier properties and excimeric electroluminescence were obtained from thermally deposited films using several device architectures. Incorporation of the complexes as a thin, interfacial contact and electron transport layer improved organic solar cell efficiencies by as much as 50%. The versatility and tailorability of this class of silicon complexes provides promising evidence for their future application in molecular electronic devices.