Solution Electrochemiluminescent Cell Using Tris(phenylpyridine) Iridium

A solution electrochemiluminescent (SECL) cell is an emitting device that employs one type of emitting solution. In this study, tris(2-phenylpyridine) iridium [Ir(ppy)3], a well-known emitting material in organic electroluminescent cells, was used in a SECL cell. The cell had a simple structure of transparent electrode/emitting solution/transparent electrode. The solution consisted of benzonitrile used as the solvent, and Ir(ppy)3 used as the emitting material. When voltage was applied to this SECL cell, green emission was produced with a peak wavelength of 530 nm, which originated from Ir(ppy)3. This SECL cell showed a maximum luminance of 3 cd/m2 and a luminous efficiency of 0.014 cd/A. The features of the SECL cell are a simple cell structure and a transparent emitting area. SECL cells are expected to be used in unique displays with a see-through function for automobiles, windows, information displays, and so forth.