Integrity Review: High-Performance Flexible Near-Infrared Organic Light-Emitting Diodes with a Heterogeneous Alloy Semitransparent Electrode

Academic fraud report · Geng Detector

Summary

Verdict: Highly suspicious. DOI 10.1002/adma.202518212, published in Advanced Materials (2026, Xu et al.), raises three main concerns. (1) The reported PLQY values for D-MB (72.9%) and CL-60 (71.8%) devices are not measured but inferred from exciton-lifetime shortening via the standard kinetic equation 1/τ = γ_r + γ_nr and PLQY = γ_r/(γ_r + γ_nr), assuming constant γ_nr. The computed values match the paper's claims to one decimal place, which is internally consistent but reveals that headline PLQY figures are derived rather than experimentally obtained and are presented as breakthroughs. (2) Large-area (900 mm²) devices using highly reactive Mg-based electrodes were measured under ambient conditions without encapsulation immediately after fabrication, yet achieved record EQE of 19.7%, an atypical and impractical protocol. (3) A correction issued on 27 February 2026, shortly after first online publication, replaced Figure 1 (performance) and Figure 2 (mechanism). Such rapid replacement may signal concealment of earlier data issues. Confidence is moderate; these are methodological and editorial red flags, not proven misconduct. Limits: original v1 figures and raw PL decay data were not independently verified.

Verdict

Highly suspicious. The paper presents inferred PLQY values as headline results, employs an unusual unencapsulated ambient measurement protocol for oxidation-prone Mg electrodes, and issued a rapid post-publication correction replacing core figures.

Key findings

PLQY values for D-MB (72.9%) and CL-60 (71.8%) are derived from exciton-lifetime shortening (830 ns → 607 ns and 633 ns) using 1/τ = γ_r + γ_nr with assumed constant γ_nr, not directly measured.
The derived PLQY figures match reported values to one decimal place, indicating tight internal consistency but no experimental confirmation of actual PLQY.
Devices with reactive Mg-alloy electrodes (900 mm² active area) were measured without encapsulation under ambient conditions immediately after fabrication, yet reported a record 19.7% EQE.
A correction was added on 27 February 2026 stating Figure 1 and Figure 2 were updated, shortly after first online publication.

Evidence highlights

ITO device reference: PLQY = 63%, exciton lifetime = 830 ns.
D-MB device: lifetime shortened to 607 ns; inferred PLQY = 0.729 (72.9%); paper reports 72.9%.
CL-60 device: lifetime shortened to 633 ns; inferred PLQY = 0.717 (71.7%); paper reports 71.8%.
Measurement protocol (Section 4.3): "EL performance of the OLEDs was measured immediately after fabrication, without encapsulation, under ambient conditions."
Correction notice (Acknowledgements, end): "[Correction added on February 27, 2026, after first online publication: Figure 1 and Figure 2 has been updated.]"
DOI: 10.1002/adma.202518212; Advanced Materials, 2026.

Notes

Findings 1–3 are flagged as confirmed by the reviewer; severity: two 🟡 (moderate concern) and one 🟠 (elevated concern).
Authors should be asked for raw transient PL decay files to verify whether measured PLQY matches the inferred values.
Editorial inquiry recommended to compare v1 and v2 of Figures 1 and 2.
These are red flags suggesting possible data presentation issues; formal misconduct determination requires institutional investigation.