Singlet energy transfer and singlet-singlet annihilation in light-emitting blends of organic semiconductors

Excitation energy transfer from host to guest is studied in spin-cast blends of 4,4(')-bis(N-carbazolyl)biphenyl (CBP) and a phosphorescent fac-tris(2-phenylpyridyl)iridium(III)-cored dendrimer using time resolved fluorescence. The kinetics of energy transfer are consistent with homogeneous dispersion of the dendrimers in the CBP host. Diffusion-controlled singlet-singlet exciton annihilation is observed in the CBP host at moderate excitation densities, similar to those encountered in high brightness light-emitting devices and organic lasers. The results are important for organic lighting and the understanding of exciton diffusion in guest-host systems for electrophosphorescence.