Ionic liquid–regulated interfacial charge transport and asymmetric device architecture for high-performance electrochemiluminescence

Ionic liquid–regulated interfacial charge transport and asymmetric device architecture for high-performance electrochemiluminescence

Science Advances

10.1126/sciadv.aed9796

https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aed9796

Meilin Liu, Zelong Li, Bee Ru Tan, Jiexin Li, Nannan Li, Suchun Li, Sherwin Chong Li Tan, Jiajia Gao, Keeve Kristen Yiheng Kang, Yun Liu, Xuchen Wang, Le Yang, Yu Jun Tan

20 May 2026

Liu, M., Li, Z., Tan, B. R., Li, J., Li, N., Li, S., Tan, S. C. L., Gao, J., Kang, K. K. Y., Liu, Y., Wang, X., Yang, L., & Tan, Y. J. (2026). Ionic liquid–regulated interfacial charge transport and asymmetric device architecture for high-performance electrochemiluminescence. Science Advances, 12(21). https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aed9796

Electrochemiluminescence (ECL) devices are promising alternatives to organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) and light-emitting capacitors (LECs) due to their simple structure and lower operating voltage, yet realizing sufficient luminance for practical applications remains challenging. Here, we report a synergistic material-device strategy for ultrabright electrochemiluminescent (UBECL) devices. Decoupling anion and cation effects reveals ion-dependent control of interfacial charge-transfer dynamics and electrochemical stability in annihilation-ECL. An effective electrolyte with favorable photophysical and electrochemical properties, coupled with an asymmetric device architecture, enhances electrochemical reactivity and maximizes ECL brightness. UBECL device turns on at a low alternating voltage (±1.65 V) and operates under high-frequency driving. It achieves a maximum luminance of 1552 cd m −2 and 1.6 cd A −1 current efficiency, a 3.2- and 2-fold improvement over 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis (trifluoromethylsulfonyl) imide (EMIMTFSI)-based counterparts. Moreover, this flexible UBECL platform enables diverse optoelectronic applications, including multicolor devices with potential for dynamic sensing, real-time digital panels, and robust underwater solid-state devices. This strategy unlocks ultrabright, efficient, high-frequency operation for intuitive visual output.

Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)

This research / project is supported by the National Research Foundation - National Research Foundation Fellowship
Grant Reference no. : NRF-NRFF15-2023-0011

This research / project is supported by the A*STAR - Manufacturing, Trade, and Connectivity Programmatic Fund
Grant Reference no. : BLISS - M24M9b0013

https://oar.a-star.edu.sg/communities-collections/articles/23295

2375-2548

Institute of Materials Research and Engineering

https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aed9796