Journal article
Exciplex-enabled high-efficiency, fully stretchable OLEDs
Nature (London), v 649(8097), pp 604-611
Jan 2026
PMID: 41535491
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Fully stretchable organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), composed entirely of intrinsically stretchable materials, are essential for on-skin displays. However, their low device efficiency has been a persistent barrier to practical applications for more than a decade. Here we addressed this challenge by incorporating an intrinsically stretchable exciplex-assisted phosphorescent (ExciPh) layer. The elastomer-tolerant triplet-recycling mechanism mitigates exciton energy transfer limitations arising from the insulating elastomer matrix, yielding a light-emitting layer with more than 200% stretchability and an external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 21.7%. To translate this performance to fully stretchable devices, we integrated MXene-contact stretchable electrodes (MCSEs), which feature high mechanical robustness and tunable work function (WF), ensuring efficient hole and electron injection. These advances enable fully stretchable OLEDs with a record EQE of 17.0% and minimal luminescence loss under 60% strain. This approach to designing high-efficiency, mechanically compliant optoelectronics will enable the next-generation wearable and deformable displays.
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Details
- Title
- Exciplex-enabled high-efficiency, fully stretchable OLEDs
- Creators
- Huanyu Zhou - Seoul National UniversityHyun-Wook Kim - Seoul National UniversityShin Jung Han - Seoul National UniversityDanzhen Zhang - Drexel UniversityWoo Jin Jeong - Seoul National UniversityHaomiao Yu - Beijing Jiaotong UniversityYouichi Tsuchiya - Kyushu UniversityBin Hu - University of Tennessee at KnoxvilleJune Huh - Korea UniversityTeng Zhang - Drexel UniversitySeungyeon Cho - Yonsei UniversityJoo Sung Kim - Yonsei UniversityDong-Hyeok Kim - Seoul National UniversityHyung Joong Yun - Korea Basic Science InstituteJinwoo Park - Seoul National UniversityKyung Yeon Jang - Seoul National UniversityEojin Yoon - Seoul National UniversityAmit Kumar Harit - Korea UniversityMin-Jun Sung - Seoul National UniversityYooseong Ahn - Inha UniversityHao Chen - Seoul National UniversityQingsen Zeng - Seoul National UniversityChan-Yul Park - Seoul National UniversityKwan-Nyeong Kim - Seoul National UniversityLandep Ayuningtias - Gyeongsang National UniversityHoichang Yang - Inha UniversityJong Chan Kim - Seoul National UniversityYun-Hi Kim - Gyeongsang National UniversityHan Young Woo - Korea UniversityChihaya Adachi - Kyushu UniversityYury Gogotsi (Corresponding Author) - Drexel UniversityTae-Woo Lee - National University College
- Publication Details
- Nature (London), v 649(8097), pp 604-611
- Publisher
- Nature Publishing Group
- Number of pages
- 22
- Grant note
- National Research Foundation of Korea grantKorean government's Ministry of Science, ICT & Future Planning: RS-2025-00560490 Pioneer Research Center Program through the National Research Foundation of KoreaMinistry of Science, ICT & Future Planning: RS-2022-NR067540 Nano & Material Technology Development Program through the National Research Foundation of KoreaMinistry of Science and ICT: RS-2024-00416938 US National Science Foundation: DMR-2041050, CHE-2318105
This research was supported by a National Research Foundation of Korea grant, financed by the Korean government's Ministry of Science, ICT & Future Planning (RS-2025-00560490) and the Pioneer Research Center Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea, financed by the Ministry of Science, ICT & Future Planning (RS-2022-NR067540). This work was also supported by the Nano & Material Technology Development Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea financed by the Ministry of Science and ICT (RS-2024-00416938). D.Z., T.Z. and Y.G. acknowledge support for MXene synthesis and chemical modification from US National Science Foundation grants DMR-2041050 and CHE-2318105 (M-STAR CCI).
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Materials Science and Engineering; A.J. Drexel Nanomaterials Institute
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001680062400021
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-105027478744
- Other Identifier
- 991022153459404721
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Multidisciplinary Sciences
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