Highly Twisted Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence (TADF) Molecules and Their Applications in Organic Light-Emitting Diodes (OLEDs)

Thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) materials have attracted great potential in the field of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). Among thousands of TADF materials, highly twisted TADF emitters have become a hotspot in recent years. Compared with traditional TADF materials, highly twisted TADF emitters tend to show multi-channel charge-transfer characters and form rigid molecular structures. This is advantageous for TADF materials, as non-radiative decay processes can be suppressed to facilitate efficient exciton utilization. Accordingly, OLEDs with excellent device performances have also been reported. In this Review, we have summarized recent progress in highly twisted TADF materials and related devices, and give an overview of the molecular design strategies, photophysical studies, and the performances of OLED devices. In addition, the challenges and perspectives of highly twisted TADF molecules and the related OLEDs are also discussed.     

Biodegradable ultra high strength poly(L-lactide) rods for bone fixation

The hydrostatic molecular orientation technique was used to explore the highest mechanical improvements achievable for poly-L-lactide (PLLA). The mechanical attributes of these materials designed for bone fracture fixation devices, i.e. bending strength and modulus were measured and compared with those prepared by stretching method. The starting samples were prepared by conventional melt extrusion at 200 °C followed by hydrostatic extrusion at 140 °C using glycerin filled extruder. Uniaxially stretched rods were prepared by drawing in silicon oil at 120 °C. The physical properties of these rods are inadequate as mechanical supports in the dynamic healing process of the bone. Moreover, they underwent a marked strength deterioration when immersed in aqueous buffered solution for 90 days. On the other hand, the hydrostatic extrusion technique produced rods with progressively higher bending strength that showed only a small drop after 90 days hydrolytic degradation. Micrographs suggested a superior molecular orientation and packing, which could be associated with the improved performance. The hydrostatic extrusion technique proved to be a safe and effective approach for strengthening biodegradable polymeric materials for dynamic mechanical support in orthopedic medical devices.