Bathocuproine (BCP), CAS number 4733-39-5, is a wide-band-gap material and has a high electron affinity. When it is embedded into organic electronic devices, bathocuproine acts as an electron-transport layer (ETL) and exciton-blocking barrier (EBL) which prohibits exciton diffusion process towards the Al electrode. It has a phenanthroline core with methyl and phenyl substituents. The electron-donating nitrogen atoms are able to complex with metal electrodes, improving charge transport properties and stability. 

Bathocuproine is one of the most commonly used buffer layer between acceptor and cathode layers. The introduction of the buffer layer can greatly improve the PCE of polymer organic solar cells. Bathocuproine is one of the most popular hole-blocking layer materials that is used in organic electronics, including perovskite solar cells.

General Information

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Full name	2,9-Dimethyl-4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline
Synonyms	Bathocuproine BCP
CAS number	4733-39-5
Molecular formula	C26H20N2
Molecular weight	360.45 g/mol
HOMO / LUMO	HOMO ~ 6.4 eV LUMO ~2.9 eV
Classification / Family	Electron-transport layer (ETL), Electron-injection layer (EIL), Hole-blocking layer, OFET, OLED, Organic Photovoltaics, Perovskite solar cells, Sublimed materials.

Product Details

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Purity	>99.5% (sublimed) >98.0% (unsublimed)
Melting point	280-282°C (lit.)
Appearance	Light yellow powder

*Sublimation is a technique used to obtain ultra pure-grade chemicals. For more details about sublimation, please refer to the Sublimed Materials.

Chemical Structure

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Chemical Structure of Bathocuproine (BCP)

Device Structure(s)

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Device structure	ITO/DNTPD* (60 nm)/NPB (20 nm)/mCP (10 nm)/mCP:FIrpic (25 nm)/CBP:Ir(piq)2acac (5 nm)/BCP (5 nm)/Alq3 (20 nm)/LiF (1 nm)/Al (200 nm) [5]
Colour	White
EQE@500 cd/m2	8.2 %
Current Efficiency (@500 cd/m2)	12.7 lm W−1

Device structure	ITO/NPB (30 nm)/NPB: DCJTB: C545T* (10 nm)/NPB (4 nm)/DNA (8 nm)/BCP (9 nm)/Alq3 (30 nm)/LiF (1 nm)/Al (100 nm) [6]
Colour	White
Max. Luminance	13,600 cd/m2
Max. Current Efficiency	12.3 cd/A
Max. Power Efficiency	4.4 lm W−1

Device structure	ITO/2T-NATA (17 nm)/TPAHQZn* (25 nm)/NPBX* (15 nm)/BCP (8 nm)/ Alq3 (35 nm)/LiF (0.5 nm)/Al (120 nm) [7]
Colour	White
Max. EQE	17.5%
Max. Luminance	12,930 cd/m2 (12 V)
Max. Current Efficiency	2.66 cd/A (10 V)

Device structure	ITO/ NPB(60 nm)/Alq3:DCM(7nm)/BCP(12 nm)/ Alq3(36nm)/ MgAg(200 nm) [8]
Colour	Red
Max. Luminance	1, 000 cd/m2
Max. Current Efficiency	5.66 cd/A

Device structure	ITO/α-NPD* (50 nm)/7%-Ir(ppy)3:CBP (20 nm)/BCP (10 nm)/Alq3 (40 nm)/Mg–Ag (100 nm)/Ag (20 nm) [9]
Colour	Green
Max EQE	(12.0±0.6)%
Max. Powder Efficiency	(45±2) lm W−1

*For chemical structure information please refer to the cited references.

Characterization

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HPLC trace of Bathocuproine (BCP).1H-NMR spectrum of 2,9-Dimethyl-4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenantroline, also known as Bathocuproine, BCP in CDCl3: Instrument AVIIIHD400 (see full version).