13.2% EQE near-infrared TADF OLED with emission peak at 761 nm.

[Display omitted] • Y-shaped NIR TADFs were featured with large molecular aspect ratios. • The planar and extended conjugated system led to high horizontal ratio. • Py-TPA demonstrated a record-high EQE of 13.2% at 761 nm. Near infrared (NIR) emitters have attracted much attention due to their advanced application in biomedical sensing/imaging, and telecommunications. However, the development of efficient NIR thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) emitters with the emission over 750 nm is still a challenge. Herein two Y-shaped NIR TADF molecules (Py-TPA and Py-CN-TPA) were introduced. The inclusion of pyridine unit in these two emitters not only extended the conjugated system but also increased the molecular aspect ratios, thereby leading to their high horizontal ratio of emitting dipole orientation (Θ //). In addition, the NIR emitter showed a low Huang-Rhys (HR) factor in thin film relative to that in solution, indicating a low non-radiative transition rate and a high photoluminescent quantum yield (PLQY). Consequently, TADF OLED based on Py-TPA demonstrated a record-high external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 22.2% at 726 nm, 16.3% at 747 nm, and 13.2% at 761 nm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]