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Abstract Three sets of polyfluorenes grafting one/two orange emissive groups on central or terminal fluorene unit have been synthesized successfully through the catalyst-transfer polymerization. The molecular weights linearly increase with increase in the feed ratios of [monomer]/[catalyst] in a certain molecular weight range. The initiators with bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazolin-2-ylidene) (IPr) as the ancillary ligand show better catalytic activity, leading to higher molecular weight of up to 126.3 kDa. All polymers in toluene have the similar absorption spectra to polyfluorene homopolymer, while the weak absorption bands of 420–500 nm are observed only in the polymers with low molecular weight. Photoluminescence spectra display a dominant blue emission from the polyfluorene backbone and a weak orange emission (508–661 nm) from the orange group. The clearly enhanced orange emission in the polymers with low molecular weight is mainly ascribed to the intramolecular Förster energy transfer from the polyfluorene segment to the orange group, which is further confirmed by the electroluminescent behavior of the polymers. Graphical abstract Image 1 Highlights ● Well-defined polyfluorenes grafting one or two orange emissive groups on central or terminal fluorene unit are successfully synthesized through the catalyst-transfer polymerization. ● Intramolecular Fӧrster energy transfer from polyfluorene segment to the orange group is related to the number and position of the orange emissive group chemically located in the polymer chain. ● The warm white emission can be achieved in the high molecular weight polymers containing orange emissive group(s) through the incomplete energy transfer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Effect of the polymer M n on the TADF property was explored for the first time. • More compacted stacking and better energy transfer is observed in low M n polymers. • Low M n polymer achieves a record-high maximum EQE of 21.2 % at 628 nm. Thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) polymers have made remarkable progress in solution processed organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) due to their superior film-forming stability. However, the effect of some factors such as the molecular weight and end groups on the optoelectronic properties is never explored so far. Herein, a set of the TADF conjugated polymers with the different number-average molecular weights (M n s) of 5.4, 24.8, 41.8 and 146.1 kg/mol are synthesized and their M n effect on the photoluminescence (PL) and electroluminescence (EL) is systematically investigated. The microstructure models of the spin-coated polymer films based on the M n and chain length are proposed for realizing efficient non-doped OLEDs. Low M n produces more compacted polymer chain stacking and smoother film morphology, leading to restricted non-radiative loss and more effective energy transfer. In particular, the polymers with low M n s of 5.4 and 24.8 kg/mol achieve the higher PL quantum yields and more efficient reverse intersystem cross from triplet to singlet excited state, as well as the record external quantum efficiencies of 21.2 % and 18.4 % with the EL emission peaks over 620 nm. In contrast, the PL and EL performances eventually deteriorate with further increasing M n s due to the sparser chain stacking and larger phase separation. The results show that the lower M n s enable the rigid polymers to form perfect amorphous films and render the luminescent unit more uniform distribution, similar to the classical doped systems, improving the EL behaviors of the polymers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reported NiO x interfacial layers in blue perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs) usually require high-temperature annealing and complex interface modification. Herein, we report a kind of uniform NiO x anode interfacial layer induced by H 2 O treatment, which effectively enhances the brightness and light-emitting efficiency of blue PeLEDs simultaneously. Compared to the as-prepared NiO x anode interfacial layer, H 2 O treatment renders uniform and pinhole-free NiO x morphology. The solution-processed perovskite blue emissive layer prepared atop the H 2 O-treated NiO x interfacial layer demonstrates enhanced photoluminescent property and superior morphology with low trap density. The blue PeLEDs employing H 2 O-treated NiO x as anode interfacial layer show a maximum luminance of 9052 cd/m2 and a maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 1.80%, whereas the control device based on the as-prepared NiO x anode interfacial layer merely exhibits a maximum luminance of 3850 cd/m2 and an EQE of 0.88%, leading to about 135% and 104% increase in brightness and efficiency, respectively. The PeLEDs emit pure blue light with emission peak located at 482 nm and demonstrate superior spectral stability under different driving voltages and operating time. [Display omitted] • High-brightness blue PeLEDs were fabricated using NiO x interfacial layer. • H 2 O-treated NiO x interfacial layer induces to form high-quality blue perovskite emissive layer. • The blue PeLEDs attain a maximum luminance of 9052 cd/m2 and a maximum EQE of 1.80%. • The PeLEDs emit stable blue light with emission peak at 482 nm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]