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Observation of triplet-assisted long-distance charge-transfer exciton transport in single organic cocrystal

Author

Listed:
  • Yejun Xiao

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Xianchang Yan

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Rui Cai

    (Dalian University of Technology)

  • Xuan Liu

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Jingwen Bao

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Min Zhang

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Jing Leng

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Shengye Jin

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Wenming Tian

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

Abstract

Charge-transfer (CT) states with long transport distances are highly desired for promoting the performance of organic optoelectronic devices in photoconversion and electroluminescence. However, due to the limited lifetime and small diffusivity, only nanoscale CT transport has been observed so far. Herein, taking a binary CT cocrystal (trans−1,2-diphenylethylene-1,2,4,5-tetracyanobenzene, named as TS-TC) with efficient thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) as a model material, we report the direct observation of long-distance CT exciton transport by using modified time-resolved and photoluminescence-scanned imaging microscopy, which reveals a triplet-assisted CT transport mechanism. We demonstrate that, enabled by the long-lived and high-yield triplet state and efficient TADF, the average transport distance of over 80% of CT excitons in TS-TC can be significantly enhanced from intrinsic nanoscale (≤58 nm) to ~11.2 μm. Our findings provide an effective strategy for greatly promoting short-lived CT exciton transport, which is of great significance for optoelectronic material design and device optimization.

Suggested Citation

  • Yejun Xiao & Xianchang Yan & Rui Cai & Xuan Liu & Jingwen Bao & Min Zhang & Jing Leng & Shengye Jin & Wenming Tian, 2025. "Observation of triplet-assisted long-distance charge-transfer exciton transport in single organic cocrystal," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-63388-0
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-63388-0
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