Excimer-like electroluminescence from thin films of switchable supermolecular anthracene-based rotaxanes

Thin films of 10-[3,5-di(terbutyl)phenoxy]decyl-2-({2-[(9-anthrylcarbonyl)amino]acetyl}amino) acetate (ANTPEP), the thread of an anthracene-based rotaxane, have been processed by the spin coating technique in a polycarbonate (PC) matrix. A single layer organic light emitting diode (OLED) has been demonstrated with an external emission of 2 cd/m2. The light emission, both photo- and electro-stimulated, originates from species formed in the excited state and not existing in the ground state. We assign the origin of photo- and electro-emission to molecular excimers.