Two Birds with One Stone: Polymerized Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence Small Molecules

Thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) polymers show a great potential in low-cost, large-area and flexible full-color flat-panel displays. One of the most promising design rules is based on TADF+Linker, where a small molecular TADF unit is bonded to each other by a simple linker. Unlike the expensive vacuum deposition for small molecules, these polymerized TADF small molecules (Poly-TADF-SMs) are capable of cost-effective solution processing. Meanwhile, the good luminescent property of small molecular TADF emitters can be well inherited by Poly-TADF-SMs so as to bridge the efficiency gap between small molecules and polymers. Herein, we will highlight the recent progress of Poly-TADF-SMs, together with emphasis on their molecular design, photophysical and electroluminescence properties. Polymerized TADF small molecules capable of cost-effective solution processing are believed to bridge the efficiency gap between small molecules and polymers. And their recent progress is highlighted so as to shed light on the development of efficient TADF polymers. image