Key Takeaways & Executive Findings
- •• Record EQE of 17% achieved in fully stretchable OLEDs via exciplex-enabled strategy. • Stretchable exciplex-assisted phosphorescent layer enhances triplet harvesting and maintains stability under strain. • MXene-contact stretchable electrodes provide efficient charge injection with tunable work function. • Intrinsic spin-orbit coupling of phosphorescent emitter remains stable under 50% tensile strain.
Abstract
Organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) are promising candidates for on-skin applications due to their intrinsic stretchability. However, the external quantum efficiency (EQE) of stretchable OLEDs has long been limited to approximately 10%. This limitation stems from two primary factors: first, the incorporation of an insulating elastomer matrix, which is necessary to impart stretchability to light-emitting materials, introduces non-conjugated moieties that hinder exciton energy transfer and charge transport; second, conventional stretchable electrodes exhibit insufficient electrical properties and poor interfacial contact, failing to meet the requirements for efficient charge injection. Consequently, achieving high electroluminescent efficiency in fully stretchable OLEDs remains a formidable challenge. In a recent breakthrough published in Nature (2026, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-09904-0), Gogotsi and Lee reported an exciplex-enabled strategy that overcomes these longstanding limitations. By integrating a stretchable exciplex-assisted phosphorescent emitting layer, triplet harvesting is significantly enhanced through an elastomer-tolerant triplet-recycling mechanism. Furthermore, the authors employ work-function-tunable MXene-contact stretchable electrodes (MCSEs) that provide two-dimensional electrical contact for efficient charge injection. Combining these advances, they achieve an unprecedented EQE of 17% in fully stretchable OLEDs while maintaining excellent mechanical stability.
1. Introduction
Organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) are promising candidates for on-skin applications due to their intrinsic stretchability. However, the external quantum efficiency (EQE) of stretchable OLEDs has long been limited to approximately 10%. This limitation stems from two primary factors: first, the incorporation of an insulating elastomer matrix, which is necessary to impart stretchability to light-emitting materials, introduces non-conjugated moieties that hinder exciton energy transfer and charge transport; second, conventional stretchable electrodes exhibit insufficient electrical properties and poor interfacial contact, failing to meet the requirements for efficient charge injection. Consequently, achieving high electroluminescent efficiency in fully stretchable OLEDs remains a formidable challenge.
In a recent breakthrough published in Nature (2026, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-09904-0), Gogotsi and Lee reported an exciplex-enabled strategy that overcomes these longstanding limitations. By integrating a stretchable exciplex-assisted phosphorescent emitting layer, triplet harvesting is significantly enhanced through an elastomer-tolerant triplet-recycling mechanism. Furthermore, the authors employ work-function-tunable MXene-contact stretchable electrodes (MCSEs) that provide two-dimensional electrical contact for efficient charge injection. Combining these advances, they achieve an unprecedented EQE of 17% in fully stretchable OLEDs while maintaining excellent mechanical stability.
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Meng Wang, Liang Li (2026). Exciplex-enabled fully stretchable OLEDs achieve a record external quantum efficiency of 17%. SinoTechIntel Verified Research. https://doi.org/10.1088/1674-4926/26020007
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the record EQE achieved in fully stretchable OLEDs?
The record external quantum efficiency (EQE) achieved is 17%.
How do the authors achieve high efficiency in stretchable OLEDs?
They integrate a stretchable exciplex-assisted phosphorescent emitting layer and work-function-tunable MXene-contact stretchable electrodes, enhancing triplet harvesting and charge injection.
What is the role of the exciplex in the stretchable OLED?
The exciplex cohost (TCTA:TPBi) facilitates efficient energy transfer and prevents aggregation-induced quenching, while the phosphorescent emitter (Ir(ppy)2acac) provides strong spin-orbit coupling for triplet harvesting.
How does the device maintain performance under mechanical strain?
The intrinsic spin-orbit coupling of the phosphorescent emitter remains stable under 50% tensile strain, and the stretchable electrodes maintain efficient charge injection, ensuring mechanical stability.
What are the potential applications of these stretchable OLEDs?
They are promising for on-skin applications such as wearable displays, biomedical sensors, and other flexible electronic devices.
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