Display panel and display device

Abstract

The application provides a display panel and a display device; the display panel is characterized in that an auxiliary cathode layer is arranged, the lateral end of the second auxiliary cathode is arranged beyond the lateral end of the first auxiliary cathode, the light-emitting material corresponding to the sub-pixel can be arranged in a whole surface when the light-emitting material is formed, the light-emitting material layer is cut by the auxiliary cathode layer to form the light-emitting material part corresponding to the sub-pixel, and the cathode is arranged corresponding to the light-emitting material part, so that the light-emitting material part corresponding to each sub-pixel can be formed respectively, the display abnormality caused by the overlapping of the light-emitting material parts with different light-emitting colors is avoided, the normal work of the display panel is realized, each sub-pixel does not need to be formed by a mask plate, the pixel density of the display panel is improved, and the cathode is in contact with the side surface of the second auxiliary cathode, so that the impedance of the cathode can be reduced.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of display, in particular to a display panel and a display device. BACKGROUND

[0002] OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) display devices are widely used in various fields due to their lightness, wide viewing angle, fast response, low temperature resistance, high luminous efficiency, and the ability to prepare flexible display screens. In order to realize color display, OLED display devices will form red sub-pixels, blue sub-pixels and green sub-pixels through multiple fine metal mask processes, but due to the size and precision limitations of the mask plate, a certain process error space needs to be reserved when forming sub-pixels, resulting in low pixel density of OLED display devices formed by mask plates, and difficult to be applied to large-size display devices.

[0003] Therefore, the existing OLED display device has the technical problem that the process of forming sub-pixels by mask plate needs to reserve process error, resulting in low pixel density of OLED display device. SUMMARY

[0004] The embodiments of the present application provide a display panel and a display device to improve the technical problem that the existing OLED display device has the process of forming sub-pixels by mask plate needs to reserve process error, resulting in low pixel density of OLED display device.

[0005] The embodiments of the present application provide a display panel, which comprises:

[0006] a substrate;

[0007] a driving circuit layer disposed on one side of the substrate;

[0008] a pixel electrode layer disposed on a side of the driving circuit layer away from the substrate;

[0009] an auxiliary cathode layer disposed on a side of the pixel electrode layer away from the driving circuit layer, the auxiliary cathode layer comprising a first auxiliary cathode and a second auxiliary cathode, the first auxiliary cathode being disposed between the second auxiliary cathode and the pixel electrode layer;

[0010] a light-emitting material layer disposed on a side of the auxiliary cathode layer away from the pixel electrode layer, the light-emitting material layer comprising a plurality of light-emitting material portions of different light-emitting colors;

[0011] a cathode layer disposed on a side of the light-emitting material layer away from the auxiliary cathode layer, the cathode layer comprising a plurality of cathodes arranged at intervals, and the plurality of cathodes are respectively arranged corresponding to the plurality of light-emitting material portions of different light-emitting colors.

[0012] The display panel comprises a plurality of sub-pixels arranged in an array, in each of the sub-pixels, a lateral end of the second auxiliary cathode is arranged beyond a lateral end of the first auxiliary cathode, and the light-emitting material layer is interrupted by the auxiliary cathode layer; the cathode is in contact with the side surface of the second auxiliary cathode.

[0013] In some embodiments, the auxiliary cathode layer further comprises a third auxiliary cathode arranged on a side of the second auxiliary cathode away from the first auxiliary cathode, and a lateral end of the second auxiliary cathode is arranged beyond a lateral end of the third auxiliary cathode.

[0014] In some embodiments, the second auxiliary cathode is made of conductive material, and the cathode is in contact with two side surfaces of the second auxiliary cathode between the cathodes respectively.

[0015] In some embodiments, the pixel electrode layer comprises a pixel electrode and an auxiliary electrode, the pixel electrode is arranged apart from the auxiliary electrode, and the auxiliary electrode is in contact with the cathode layer.

[0016] In some embodiments, the display panel comprises a display area, the display area comprises a light-emitting area and a non-light-emitting area, the light-emitting material part comprises a first part arranged in the light-emitting area, a second part arranged in the light-emitting area, and a third part arranged in the non-light-emitting area, the first part is arranged between the pixel electrode and the cathode, and the first part extends to a region where a lateral end of the second auxiliary cathode is arranged beyond a lateral end of the first auxiliary cathode, the second part is arranged in the non-light-emitting area and extends to the light-emitting area, the second part is arranged between the cathode and the third auxiliary cathode, and in the region where the lateral end of the second auxiliary cathode is arranged beyond the lateral end of the first auxiliary cathode, a projection of the second part on the substrate overlaps a projection of the first part on the substrate, and the second auxiliary cathode is arranged between the first part and the second part; in the region where the lateral end of the second auxiliary cathode is arranged beyond the lateral end of the third auxiliary cathode, the third part is arranged on a side of the second auxiliary cathode away from the third auxiliary cathode, a projection of the third part on the substrate overlaps a projection of the second part on the substrate, and the second auxiliary cathode is arranged between the third part and the second part.

[0017] In some embodiments, the auxiliary electrode includes a first electrode portion, a second electrode portion, and a third electrode portion, the second electrode portion is disposed between the first electrode portion and the third electrode portion, a lateral end of the second electrode portion is disposed beyond lateral ends of the first electrode portion and the third electrode portion, the light emitting material portion further includes a fourth portion disposed in the non-light emitting region, the fourth portion is disposed in a region where the lateral end of the second electrode portion is disposed beyond the lateral end of the third electrode portion, and the fourth portion is disposed between the second electrode portion and the driving circuit layer.

[0018] In some embodiments, the auxiliary electrode includes a via, the cathode is disposed in the via, and the cathode is in contact with a side surface of the second electrode portion.

[0019] In some embodiments, the driving circuit layer includes a light shielding layer, the light shielding layer includes a first connection electrode and a second connection electrode, the first connection electrode and the second connection electrode are disposed in a spaced apart manner, the first connection electrode is electrically connected to the auxiliary electrode, and the second connection electrode is electrically connected to the pixel electrode.

[0020] In some embodiments, the display panel further includes an inorganic layer disposed on a side of the cathode layer away from the light emitting material layer, the inorganic layer includes a plurality of inorganic portions, and the inorganic portions are disposed in correspondence with the cathode.

[0021] Meanwhile, the embodiments of the present application provide a display device, which includes the display panel as described in any one of the above embodiments.

[0022] Beneficial effects: the application provides a display panel and a display device; the display panel comprises a substrate, a driving circuit layer, a pixel electrode layer, an auxiliary cathode layer, a luminescent material layer and a cathode layer, the driving circuit layer is arranged on one side of the substrate, the pixel electrode layer is arranged on a side of the driving circuit layer away from the substrate, the auxiliary cathode layer is arranged on a side of the pixel electrode layer away from the driving circuit layer, the auxiliary cathode layer comprises a first auxiliary cathode and a second auxiliary cathode, the first auxiliary cathode is arranged between the second auxiliary cathode and the pixel electrode layer, the luminescent material layer is arranged on a side of the auxiliary cathode layer away from the pixel electrode layer, the luminescent material layer comprises a plurality of luminescent material parts of different luminescent colors, the cathode layer is arranged on a side of the luminescent material layer away from the auxiliary cathode layer, the cathode layer comprises a plurality of cathodes arranged at intervals, and the plurality of cathodes are arranged correspondingly with the luminescent material parts of different luminescent colors respectively, wherein the display panel comprises a plurality of sub-pixels arranged in an array, in each sub-pixel, a lateral end of the second auxiliary cathode is arranged beyond a lateral end of the first auxiliary cathode, the luminescent material layer is broken by the auxiliary cathode layer, and the cathode is in contact with a side surface of the second auxiliary cathode. By arranging the auxiliary cathode layer, the lateral end of the second auxiliary cathode is arranged beyond the lateral end of the first auxiliary cathode, then when the luminescent material corresponding to the sub-pixel is formed, the luminescent material can be arranged in a whole plane, the luminescent material layer is broken by the auxiliary cathode layer to form the luminescent material part corresponding to the sub-pixel, and the cathode is arranged correspondingly with the luminescent material part, so that the luminescent material part corresponding to each sub-pixel can be formed respectively, the display abnormality caused by the overlapping of the luminescent material parts of different luminescent colors is avoided, the normal work of the display panel is realized, the sub-pixels do not need to be formed through a mask plate, the pixel density of the display panel is improved, and the cathode is in contact with the side surface of the second auxiliary cathode, so that the impedance of the cathode can be reduced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0023] The technical solutions and other beneficial effects of the application will be apparent from the following detailed description of the specific embodiments of the application in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0024] Figure 1 The first schematic diagram of the display panel provided by the embodiment of the application.

[0025] Figure 2 The first schematic diagram of the display panel corresponding to each step in the preparation method of the display panel provided by the embodiment of the application.

[0026] Figure 3 The second schematic diagram of the display panel corresponding to each step in the preparation method of the display panel provided by the embodiment of the application.

[0027] Figure 4 The third schematic diagram of the display panel corresponding to each step in the preparation method of the display panel provided by the embodiment of the application.

[0028] Figure 5A fourth structural schematic diagram of a display panel corresponding to each step in the preparation method of the display panel provided in the embodiments of the present application.

[0029] Figure 6 A fifth structural schematic diagram of a display panel corresponding to each step in the preparation method of the display panel provided in the embodiments of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described in combination with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all the embodiments of the present application. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by a person of ordinary skill in the art without creative work fall within the protection scope of the present application.

[0031] In the description of the present application, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise" and the like indicate the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and are only used to facilitate the description of the present application and simplify the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the present application. In addition, the terms "first", "second" are only for descriptive purposes, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the technical features indicated. Therefore, the features limited by "first", "second" can explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description of the present application, the meaning of "multiple" is two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited.

[0032] In the description of the present application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "mounting", "connection", "connection" should be understood broadly, for example, it can be fixed connection, or detachable connection, or integral connection; it can be mechanical connection, or electrical connection or can communicate with each other; it can be directly connected, or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, or the internal communication of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements. For a person of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in the present application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0033] In this application, unless specifically stated and limited otherwise, "on" or "under" of a first feature with respect to a second feature can include direct contact between the first and second features or can include indirect contact between the first and second features through other features therebetween. Also, "over," "above," and "on" of a first feature with respect to a second feature can include the first feature being directly above and aligned with the second feature, or can include the first feature being laterally above the second feature. "Under," "below," and "on" of a first feature with respect to a second feature can include the first feature being directly below and aligned with the second feature, or can include the first feature being laterally below the second feature.

[0034] The disclosure that follows provides many different embodiments, or examples, for implementing different structures of the application. For the purpose of simplicity and clarity, the descriptive text and drawings appertain to particular embodiments. Of course, they are merely examples and are not intended to limit the application in any way. Furthermore, the application can be used in various examples without departing from the scope of the application. The reference numbers and / or the reference letters are repeated in different examples for the purpose of simplicity and clarity, and they do not indicate a relationship between the various embodiments and / or arrangements being discussed. Moreover, the application provides examples of various specific processes and materials, but one of ordinary skill in the art can realize the application applies to other processes and / or other materials.

[0035] Embodiments of the present application aim at the technical problem that the process of forming a sub-pixel by using a mask plate needs to reserve a process error, resulting in a low pixel density of an OLED display device, and provide a display panel and a display device to improve the above technical problem.

[0036] As shown in Figure 1 Embodiments of the present application provide a display panel, which comprises:

[0037] a substrate 11;

[0038] a driving circuit layer 13 arranged on one side of the substrate 11;

[0039] a pixel electrode layer 14 arranged on a side of the driving circuit layer 13 away from the substrate 11;

[0040] an auxiliary cathode layer 15 arranged on a side of the pixel electrode layer 14 away from the driving circuit layer 13, the auxiliary cathode layer 15 comprising a first auxiliary cathode 151 and a second auxiliary cathode 152, the second auxiliary cathode 152 being arranged between the first auxiliary cathode 151 and the pixel electrode layer 14;

[0041] a light-emitting material layer 16 arranged on a side of the auxiliary cathode layer 15 away from the pixel electrode layer 14, the light-emitting material layer 16 comprising a plurality of light-emitting material portions 16a of different light-emitting colors;

[0042] a cathode layer 18 disposed on a side of the luminescent material layer 16 distal to the auxiliary cathode layer 15, the cathode layer 18 comprising a plurality of cathodes 181 disposed in intervals, each of the plurality of cathodes 181 corresponding to a luminescent material portion 16a of a different luminescent color;

[0043] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1, the display panel 1 comprises a plurality of sub-pixels 101 arranged in an array, in each of the sub-pixels 101, the lateral end of the second auxiliary cathode 152 is disposed beyond the lateral end of the first auxiliary cathode 151, the luminescent material layer 16 is broken by the auxiliary cathode layer 15, and the cathode 181 is in contact with the side surface of the second auxiliary cathode 152.

[0044] The display panel provided by the embodiments of the present application can realize normal operation of the display panel without forming each sub-pixel through a mask plate, improve the pixel density of the display panel, and reduce the impedance of the cathode by the contact between the cathode and the side surface of the second auxiliary cathode.

[0045] Specifically, it can be understood that, since the cross-sectional view is shown in the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application, the two parts of the auxiliary electrode are disconnected and the second auxiliary cathode is disconnected as viewed from the drawings, but actually the auxiliary electrode and the second auxiliary cathode form a via hole, and the auxiliary electrode on both sides of the via hole is not disconnected, and by analogy, the second auxiliary cathode on both sides of the via hole is not disconnected.

[0046] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1, the display panel 1 comprises a plurality of sub-pixels 101 arranged in an array, in each of the sub-pixels 101, the lateral end of the second auxiliary cathode 152 is disposed beyond the lateral end of the first auxiliary cathode 151, the luminescent material layer 16 is broken by the auxiliary cathode layer 15, and the cathode 181 is in contact with the side surface of the second auxiliary cathode 152. Figure 1 The auxiliary cathode layer 15 further comprises a third auxiliary cathode 153, the third auxiliary cathode 153 is disposed on a side of the second auxiliary cathode 152 distal to the first auxiliary cathode 151, and the lateral end of the second auxiliary cathode 152 is disposed beyond the lateral end of the third auxiliary cathode 153. By making the auxiliary cathode layer further comprise a third auxiliary cathode, the adhesion of the auxiliary cathode layer to other film layers is better, and the luminescent material portion corresponding to each sub-pixel can be formed by breaking the luminescent material layer through the auxiliary cathode layer.

[0047] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1, the display panel 1 comprises a plurality of sub-pixels 101 arranged in an array, in each of the sub-pixels 101, the lateral end of the second auxiliary cathode 152 is disposed beyond the lateral end of the first auxiliary cathode 151, the luminescent material layer 16 is broken by the auxiliary cathode layer 15, and the cathode 181 is in contact with the side surface of the second auxiliary cathode 152. Figure 1As shown, the second auxiliary cathode 152 is made of conductive material, and each of the cathodes 181 is in contact with two sides of the second auxiliary cathode 152 located between the two cathodes 181. By making the cathodes overlap the sides of the second auxiliary cathode, the cathodes can be connected without connecting the cathodes and the binding terminals respectively.

[0048] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1, the display panel 100 includes a plurality of sub-pixels 110, and each of the sub-pixels 110 includes a pixel electrode layer 14, a cathode layer 18, and a second auxiliary cathode 152. Figure 1 As shown, the pixel electrode layer 14 includes a pixel electrode 141 and an auxiliary electrode 142, the pixel electrode 141 is spaced apart from the auxiliary electrode 142, and the auxiliary electrode 142 is in contact with the cathode layer 18. By making the pixel electrode layer include the pixel electrode and the auxiliary electrode, the pixel electrode can form an electric field with the cathode layer to realize the display of the display panel, and the auxiliary electrode being in contact with the cathode layer can reduce the impedance of the cathode layer, improve the electrical properties of the display panel, and reduce the power consumption of the display panel.

[0049] Specifically, the auxiliary cathode layer is formed with a via hole, and the auxiliary electrode is arranged corresponding to the via hole so that the auxiliary electrode is in contact with the cathode layer to reduce the impedance of the cathode layer.

[0050] Specifically, each sub-pixel is provided with a pixel electrode and an auxiliary electrode, and the auxiliary electrode in each sub-pixel is connected with the corresponding cathode.

[0051] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1, the display panel 100 includes a plurality of sub-pixels 110, and each of the sub-pixels 110 includes a pixel electrode layer 14, a cathode layer 18, and a second auxiliary cathode 152. Figure 1As shown, the display panel 1 comprises a display area 201, the display area 201 comprises a light-emitting area 201a and a non-light-emitting area 201b, the light-emitting material part 16a comprises a first part 161 disposed in the light-emitting area 201a, a second part 162, and a third part 163 disposed in the non-light-emitting area 201b, the first part 161 is disposed between the pixel electrode 141 and the cathode 181, and the first part 161 extends to the area where the lateral end of the second auxiliary cathode 152 exceeds the lateral end of the first auxiliary cathode 151, the second part 162 is disposed between the cathode 181 and the third auxiliary cathode 153, and in the area where the lateral end of the second auxiliary cathode 152 exceeds the lateral end of the first auxiliary cathode 151, the projection of the second part 162 on the substrate overlaps the projection of the first part 161 on the substrate, and the second auxiliary cathode 152 is arranged between the first part 161 and the second part 162; in the area where the lateral end of the second auxiliary cathode 152 exceeds the lateral end of the first auxiliary cathode 151, and the third part 163 is disposed on the side of the second auxiliary cathode 152 away from the third auxiliary cathode 153, the projection of the third part 163 on the substrate overlaps the projection of the second part 162 on the substrate, and the second auxiliary cathode 152 is arranged between the third part 163 and the second part 162.

[0052] Specifically, as Figure 1 As shown, the second part 162 is disposed between the cathode 181 and the third auxiliary cathode 153, and the projection of the second part 162 on the substrate 11 overlaps the projection of the first part 161 on the substrate 11, the second auxiliary cathode 152 is arranged between the first part 161 and the second part 162, in the area where the lateral end of the second auxiliary cathode 152 exceeds the lateral end of the third auxiliary cathode 153, the third part 163 is disposed on the side of the second auxiliary cathode 152 away from the third auxiliary cathode 153, the projection of the third part 163 on the substrate 11 overlaps the projection of the second part 162 on the substrate 11, and the second auxiliary cathode 152 is arranged between the third part 163 and the second part 162.

[0053] Specifically, by making the luminescent material portion include a first portion for setting a luminescent area, and making the first portion be arranged between the pixel electrode and the cathode, the display function of the sub-pixel can be realized through the pixel electrode, the first portion and the cathode, and making the second portion be arranged between the cathode and the third auxiliary cathode, so that the second portion is disconnected from the first portion, thereby avoiding the first and second portions not being disconnected, resulting in an increase in the luminescent area, display abnormalities in adjacent luminescent areas, and preventing water and oxygen from invading the second portion and causing failure of the luminescent material layer; and the second portion is disconnected from the first portion, so that the cathode can overlap the side of the second auxiliary cathode, realizing the connection of multiple cathodes, without the need to set multiple connection terminals to input signals to the cathode. At the same time, the third portion is arranged in the area where the lateral end of the second auxiliary cathode exceeds the lateral end of the first auxiliary cathode, and the third portion is arranged between the second auxiliary cathode and the pixel electrode layer, so that the third portion is disconnected from the second portion, further reducing the risk of water and oxygen intrusion. The third portion fills the gap between the second auxiliary cathode and the first auxiliary cathode, which can achieve a better cathode overlap effect and avoid display abnormalities caused by cathode disconnection.

[0054] In some embodiments, as Figure 2 As shown, the auxiliary electrode 142 includes a first electrode portion 311, a second electrode portion 312 and a third electrode portion 313, the second electrode portion 312 is arranged between the first electrode portion 311 and the third electrode portion 313, the lateral end of the second electrode portion 312 exceeds the lateral end of the first electrode portion 311 and the lateral end of the third electrode portion 313, the light-emitting material portion 16a also includes a fourth portion 164 arranged in the non-light-emitting area 201b, the fourth portion 164 is arranged in the area where the lateral end of the second electrode portion 312 exceeds the lateral end of the third electrode portion 313, and the fourth portion 164 is arranged between the second electrode portion 312 and the driving circuit layer 13. By making the auxiliary electrode include a first electrode portion, a second electrode portion and a third electrode portion, so that the lateral end of the second electrode portion exceeds the lateral end of the first electrode portion and the lateral end of the third electrode portion, when the light-emitting material layer is set on the entire surface, the light-emitting material layer will be disconnected by the lateral end of the second electrode portion, so that the light-emitting material portion forms a fourth part, and the fourth part is arranged in the area where the lateral end of the second electrode portion exceeds the lateral end of the third electrode portion, and the fourth part is arranged between the second electrode portion and the driving circuit layer, thereby further disconnecting the light-emitting material layer, disconnecting the various parts to avoid water and oxygen intrusion, and avoiding the area between adjacent sub-pixels from emitting light, resulting in mixed light and display abnormalities.

[0055] Specifically, it can be understood that the pixel electrode layer can include a first electrode layer, a second electrode layer and a third electrode layer, the second electrode layer is located between the first electrode layer and the third electrode layer, and the first electrode layer, the second electrode layer and the third electrode layer form a first electrode part, a second electrode part and a third electrode part respectively. Similarly, the pixel electrode can be composed of the first electrode layer, the second electrode layer and the third electrode layer.

[0056] Specifically, the materials of the first electrode layer and the third electrode layer can be one of indium tin oxide and indium zinc oxide, and the material of the second electrode layer is silver, so that the auxiliary electrode can be etched at the same time when etching the auxiliary cathode layer, without the need to increase the process steps, and the structure that the lateral end of the second electrode part exceeds the lateral end of the first electrode part and the lateral end of the third electrode part can be formed, so that the auxiliary electrode and the auxiliary cathode layer will disconnect the luminescent material layer into multiple parts, thereby avoiding water and oxygen intrusion and avoiding display abnormalities caused by light mixing in the area between adjacent sub-pixels.

[0057] Specifically, it can be seen that the fourth part is arranged in the area where the lateral end of the second electrode part exceeds the lateral end of the third electrode part, and the fourth part fills the gap between the second electrode part and the third electrode part and fills the via hole of the auxiliary electrode.

[0058] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 1 、 Figure 2 The auxiliary electrode 142 includes a via hole, the cathode 181 is arranged in the via hole, and the cathode 181 is in contact with the side surface of the second electrode part 312. By forming a via hole in the auxiliary electrode and arranging the cathode in the via hole, the cathode can be in contact with the side surface of the second electrode part, so that the cathode can be connected to the second electrode part, thereby reducing the impedance of the cathode.

[0059] Specifically, it can be seen that the cathode is in contact with the side surface of the second electrode part, the cathode is in contact with the side surface of the second auxiliary cathode, and the auxiliary cathode layer is in contact with the auxiliary electrode, thereby realizing the connection of the cathode, the auxiliary cathode layer and the auxiliary electrode, reducing the impedance of the cathode, and improving the effect of blocking the multiple parts of the luminescent material layer by disconnecting the luminescent material layer into multiple parts through the auxiliary cathode layer and the auxiliary electrode, thereby improving the water and oxygen blocking ability.

[0060] The above embodiment is explained by taking the material and structure of the pixel electrode layer as the same as the material and structure of the auxiliary cathode layer as an example. When the material and structure of the pixel electrode layer are different from the material and structure of the auxiliary cathode layer, the material used to etch the auxiliary cathode layer may not be able to etch the pixel electrode layer, and the auxiliary electrode will not form a structure in which the lateral end of the second electrode portion exceeds the lateral ends of the first electrode portion and the third electrode portion, and the common electrode can contact the upper surface of the auxiliary electrode. However, the embodiments of the present application are not limited to this. When the material and structure of the pixel electrode layer are different from the material and structure of the auxiliary cathode layer, the pixel electrode layer and the auxiliary cathode layer can also be etched separately to form the above-mentioned auxiliary electrode and auxiliary cathode layer structures.

[0061] In some embodiments, as Figure 1 As shown, the driving circuit layer 13 includes a light shielding layer 12, and the light shielding layer 12 includes a first connecting electrode 121 and a second connecting electrode 122. The first connecting electrode 121 and the second connecting electrode 122 are spaced apart from each other, the first connecting electrode 121 is electrically connected to the auxiliary electrode 142, and the second connecting electrode 122 is electrically connected to the pixel electrode 141. By providing a light shielding layer, the light shielding layer includes a first connecting electrode and a second connecting electrode. The first connecting electrode is electrically connected to the auxiliary electrode, thereby reducing the voltage drop of the signal transmitted to the auxiliary electrode, and the second connecting electrode is electrically connected to the pixel electrode, thereby reducing the voltage drop of the signal transmitted to the pixel electrode, thereby avoiding excessive signal attenuation in the display panel, reducing the power consumption of the display panel, and improving the display uniformity of the display panel.

[0062] Specifically, such as Figure 1 As shown, the driving circuit layer 13 includes a source-drain layer 136, and the first connecting electrode 121 is connected to the auxiliary electrode through the metal of the source-drain layer 136, so that the impedance of the cathode is reduced, the loss during the signal transmission process of the cathode layer is reduced, and the excessive voltage drop during the signal transmission process of the cathode layer is avoided, resulting in poor display uniformity.

[0063] Specifically, the source-drain layer 136 includes a first electrode and a second electrode, the second connecting electrode 122 is connected to the second electrode, and the second electrode is connected to the pixel electrode, which can reduce the loss of the signal transmitted to the pixel electrode and avoid excessive voltage drop of the signal transmitted to the pixel electrode, resulting in poor display uniformity of the display panel.

[0064] In some embodiments, the material of the first auxiliary cathode is one of indium tin oxide and indium zinc oxide, the material of the second auxiliary cathode is silver, and the material of the third auxiliary cathode is one of indium tin oxide and indium zinc oxide. By making the material of the second auxiliary cathode different from the materials of the first auxiliary cathode and the third auxiliary cathode, the etching rates of the second auxiliary cathode, the first auxiliary cathode, and the third auxiliary cathode in different etching materials are different when etching the auxiliary cathode layer, so that the lateral end of the second auxiliary cathode is arranged beyond the first auxiliary cathode, and the lateral end of the second auxiliary cathode is arranged beyond the third auxiliary cathode, so that the auxiliary cathode layer can break the light emitting material layer through the part of the second auxiliary cathode beyond the first auxiliary cathode and the third auxiliary cathode, thereby forming the light emitting material part corresponding to each sub-pixel.

[0065] Specifically, taking the material of the first auxiliary cathode as indium tin oxide, the material of the second auxiliary cathode as silver, and the material of the third auxiliary cathode as indium tin oxide as an example, an acid capable of etching silver can be used to etch the auxiliary cathode layer first, and then an acid capable of etching indium tin oxide is used to etch the auxiliary cathode layer, so that the structure of the second auxiliary cathode beyond the first auxiliary cathode and the second auxiliary cathode beyond the third auxiliary cathode can be formed without increasing the process steps.

[0066] Specifically, using the stack of the silver layer and the indium tin oxide layer to form the structure of the silver layer beyond the indium tin oxide layer may cause insufficient adhesion between the silver layer and the underlying insulating layer, resulting in film peeling of the display panel. The present application can improve the adhesion between the auxiliary cathode layer and the insulating layer by making the indium tin oxide layer in contact with the underlying insulating layer, thereby avoiding the problem of film peeling of the display panel.

[0067] In some embodiments, the display panel further comprises an inorganic layer arranged on the side of the cathode layer away from the light emitting material layer, and the inorganic layer comprises a plurality of inorganic parts arranged corresponding to the cathodes. By making the display panel comprise an inorganic layer, the inorganic layer comprises a plurality of inorganic parts, and the inorganic parts are arranged corresponding to the cathodes, when forming the light emitting material parts and the corresponding cathodes of three different light emitting colors respectively, an inorganic part can be formed after forming a light emitting material part and a cathode, thereby preventing water and oxygen from invading the light emitting material part in the subsequent film layer preparation process, and avoiding the failure of the light emitting material part.

[0068] Specifically, when forming light emitting material parts of different light emitting colors, a light emitting material part of one light emitting color is formed first, and then light emitting material parts of other light emitting colors are formed. Since the first formed light emitting material part needs to be encapsulated after the subsequent formed light emitting material part is formed, there is a certain time in this process, which may cause water and oxygen to invade and cause the light emitting material part to fail. Therefore, the inorganic part can be arranged so that the inorganic part is arranged corresponding to the cathode, thereby avoiding the failure of the light emitting material part caused by water and oxygen invasion.

[0069] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 1 The display panel 1 further includes an insulating layer 19 disposed on the side of the cathode layer 18 away from the light-emitting material layer 16, the insulating layer 19 covering the cathodes 181 and the gaps between adjacent cathodes 181. By covering the cathodes and the gaps between adjacent cathodes with the insulating layer, water and oxygen can be prevented from entering, and interference between adjacent sub-pixels can be avoided.

[0070] Specifically, as shown in Figure 1 The light-emitting material portion 16a includes a first light-emitting material portion 171, a second light-emitting material portion 172, and a third light-emitting material portion 173, and a plurality of spaced-apart cathodes 181 are disposed corresponding to the first light-emitting material portion 171, the second light-emitting material portion 172, and the third light-emitting material portion 173.

[0071] Specifically, it can be understood that, as shown in Figure 1 The light-emitting material portion 16a includes a first light-emitting material portion 171, a second light-emitting material portion 172, and a third light-emitting material portion 173, and the first light-emitting material portion 171, the second light-emitting material portion 172, and the third light-emitting material portion 173 each have a first portion 161, a second portion 162, a third portion 163, and a fourth portion 162.

[0072] Specifically, the first light-emitting material portion has a red light-emitting color, the second light-emitting material portion has a blue light-emitting color, and the third light-emitting material portion has a green light-emitting color.

[0073] Specifically, as shown in Figure 1 The drive circuit layer 13 further includes a buffer layer 131, an active layer 132, a gate insulating layer 133, a gate layer 134, an interlayer insulating layer 135, and a passivation layer 137.

[0074] Specifically, Figure 1 The thin-film transistor of the drive circuit layer is taken as an example of a top-gate bottom-contact thin-film transistor, but the embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto, and the thin-film transistor can be any one of a top-gate top-contact thin-film transistor, a bottom-gate bottom-contact thin-film transistor, and a bottom-gate top-contact thin-film transistor.

[0075] Specifically, as shown in Figure 2 The display panel 1 further includes a pixel definition layer 21.

[0076] Specifically, the display panel can further include an encapsulation layer, and the encapsulation layer can include an inorganic film layer and an organic film layer stacked.

[0077] Figure 3 The first structure diagram of the display panel corresponding to each step in the preparation method of the display panel provided in the embodiments of the present application.Figure 4 The second structural schematic diagram of the display panel corresponding to each step in the preparation method of the display panel provided in the embodiment of the present application. Figure 5 The third structural schematic diagram of the display panel corresponding to each step in the preparation method of the display panel provided in the embodiment of the present application. Figure 6 The fourth structural schematic diagram of the display panel corresponding to each step in the preparation method of the display panel provided in the embodiment of the present application.

[0078] Figure 2 The fifth structural schematic diagram of the display panel corresponding to each step in the preparation method of the display panel provided in the embodiment of the present application.

[0079] Meanwhile, the embodiment of the present application provides a preparation method of a display panel, the preparation method of the display panel comprising:

[0080] providing a substrate, and sequentially forming a driving circuit layer, a pixel electrode layer, a pixel definition layer and an auxiliary cathode layer on the substrate; the structure of the display panel corresponding to this step is as shown in (a) of FIG. 1; Figure 2

[0081] etching the auxiliary cathode layer in the region corresponding to the first light-emitting material part, so that the lateral end of the second auxiliary cathode in the auxiliary cathode layer is arranged to be beyond the lateral end of the first auxiliary cathode, and the lateral end of the second auxiliary cathode is arranged to be beyond the lateral end of the third auxiliary cathode; the structure of the display panel corresponding to this step is as shown in (b) of FIG. 1; Figure 3

[0082] Specifically, the auxiliary cathode layer can be etched by first using an acid for etching silver, and then using an acid for etching indium tin oxide. Since the pixel electrode layer adopts a stack of indium tin oxide / silver / indium tin oxide, the pixel electrode layer will also be etched when the auxiliary cathode layer is etched.

[0083] exposing and etching the passivation layer in the light-emitting region corresponding to the first light-emitting material part; the structure of the display panel corresponding to this step is as shown in (a) of FIG. 2; Figure 3

[0084] evaporating a red light-emitting material layer and a cathode layer on the auxiliary cathode layer, and performing pattern exposure by using photolithography, and patterning the red light-emitting material layer and the cathode layer by using a wet etching and dry etching process, to obtain the first light-emitting material part and the cathode corresponding to the first light-emitting material part; the structure of the display panel corresponding to this step is as shown in (b) of FIG. 2; Figure 4

[0085] ​​​​etching the auxiliary cathode layer corresponding to the region of the second light emitting material part, so that the lateral end of the second auxiliary cathode is arranged beyond the lateral end of the first auxiliary cathode, and the lateral end of the second auxiliary cathode is arranged beyond the lateral end of the third auxiliary cathode; the structure of the display panel corresponding to this step is shown in (b) of FIG. 6. Figure 4

[0086] exposing and etching the passivation layer corresponding to the light emitting region of the second light emitting material part; the structure of the display panel corresponding to this step is shown in (a) of FIG. 7. Figure 5

[0087] evaporating a blue light emitting material layer and a cathode layer on the auxiliary cathode layer, and performing pattern exposure by using photolithography, and patterning the blue light emitting material layer and the cathode layer by using a wet etching and a dry etching process, to obtain the second light emitting material part and the cathode corresponding to the second light emitting material part; the structure of the display panel corresponding to this step is shown in (a) of FIG. 8. Figure 5

[0088] etching the auxiliary cathode layer corresponding to the region of the third light emitting material part, so that the lateral end of the second auxiliary cathode is arranged beyond the lateral end of the first auxiliary cathode, and the lateral end of the second auxiliary cathode is arranged beyond the lateral end of the third auxiliary cathode; the structure of the display panel corresponding to this step is shown in (b) of FIG. 9. Figure 6

[0089] exposing and etching the passivation layer corresponding to the light emitting region of the third light emitting material part; the structure of the display panel corresponding to this step is shown in (a) of FIG. 10. Figure 6

[0090] evaporating a green light emitting material layer and a cathode layer on the auxiliary cathode layer, and performing pattern exposure by using photolithography, and patterning the green light emitting material layer and the cathode layer by using a wet etching and a dry etching process, to obtain the third light emitting material part and the cathode corresponding to the third light emitting material part; the structure of the display panel corresponding to this step is shown in (b) of FIG. 11. Figure 1

[0091] forming an insulating layer on the cathode layer; the structure of the display panel corresponding to this step is shown in FIG. 12. ​

[0092] The display panel preparation method provided in the embodiments of the present application can improve the pixel density of the display panel by setting the auxiliary cathode layer and etching the parts of the auxiliary cathode layer corresponding to different light emitting regions, so that the light emitting materials of different light emitting colors can be disconnected by the auxiliary cathode layer when the light emitting materials are arranged on the whole surface, and the light emitting materials of different light emitting colors do not need to be patterned by using a mask plate.

[0093] ​​​​​​​Meanwhile, the application provides a display device, which comprises the display panel as described in any of the above embodiments.

[0094] According to the above embodiments, it is known that:

[0095] The application provides a display panel and a display device; the display panel comprises a substrate, a driving circuit layer, a pixel electrode layer, an auxiliary cathode layer, a light-emitting material layer and a cathode layer, the driving circuit layer is arranged on one side of the substrate, the pixel electrode layer is arranged on a side of the driving circuit layer away from the substrate, the auxiliary cathode layer is arranged on a side of the pixel electrode layer away from the driving circuit layer, the auxiliary cathode layer comprises a first auxiliary cathode and a second auxiliary cathode, the first auxiliary cathode is arranged between the second auxiliary cathode and the pixel electrode layer, the light-emitting material layer is arranged on a side of the auxiliary cathode layer away from the pixel electrode layer, the light-emitting material layer comprises a plurality of light-emitting material parts of different light-emitting colors, the cathode layer is arranged on a side of the light-emitting material layer away from the auxiliary cathode layer, and the cathode layer comprises a plurality of cathodes arranged at intervals, the plurality of cathodes are arranged correspondingly to the light-emitting material parts of different light-emitting colors, respectively, wherein the display panel comprises a plurality of sub-pixels arranged in an array, in each sub-pixel, a lateral end of the second auxiliary cathode is arranged beyond a lateral end of the first auxiliary cathode, the light-emitting material layer is broken by the auxiliary cathode layer, and the cathode is in contact with a side surface of the second auxiliary cathode. By arranging the auxiliary cathode layer and arranging the lateral end of the second auxiliary cathode beyond the lateral end of the first auxiliary cathode, the light-emitting material can be arranged in a whole surface when the light-emitting material corresponding to the sub-pixel is formed, the light-emitting material layer is broken by the auxiliary cathode layer to form the light-emitting material part corresponding to the sub-pixel, and the cathode is arranged correspondingly to the light-emitting material part, so that the light-emitting material part corresponding to each sub-pixel can be formed, the display abnormality caused by the overlapping of the light-emitting material parts of different light-emitting colors is avoided, the normal work of the display panel is realized, the sub-pixels do not need to be formed by a mask plate, the pixel density of the display panel is improved, and the cathode is in contact with the side surface of the second auxiliary cathode, so that the impedance of the cathode can be reduced.

[0096] In the above embodiments, the description of each embodiment has its own focus, and the parts not described in detail in a certain embodiment can be referred to the relevant description of other embodiments.

[0097] The display panel and the display device provided by the embodiments of the application are described in detail above, and the principle and implementation manner of the application are described by applying specific examples in this paper; the above description of the embodiments is only used to help understand the technical solutions and the core idea of the application; those skilled in the art should understand that the technical solutions recorded in the above embodiments can be modified or some technical features can be replaced equivalently; and the modification or replacement does not make the essence of the corresponding technical solution deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the application.

Claims

1. A display panel, characterized in that: include: substrate; A driving circuit layer is provided on one side of the substrate; a pixel electrode layer, disposed on a side of the driving circuit layer away from the substrate, the pixel electrode layer comprising pixel electrodes; an auxiliary cathode layer, disposed on a side of the pixel electrode layer away from the driving circuit layer, the auxiliary cathode layer comprising a first auxiliary cathode and a second auxiliary cathode, the first auxiliary cathode being disposed between the second auxiliary cathode and the pixel electrode layer; a light-emitting material layer, disposed on a side of the auxiliary cathode layer away from the pixel electrode layer, the light-emitting material layer comprising a plurality of light-emitting material portions of different light-emitting colors; a cathode layer, disposed on a side of the luminescent material layer away from the auxiliary cathode layer, the cathode layer comprising a plurality of cathodes spaced apart from each other, the plurality of cathodes being respectively disposed corresponding to the luminescent material portions of different luminescent colors; The display panel includes a plurality of sub-pixels arranged in an array. In each of the sub-pixels, a lateral end of the second auxiliary cathode is arranged beyond a lateral end of the first auxiliary cathode. The light-emitting material layer is interrupted by the auxiliary cathode layer. The cathode contacts a side surface of the second auxiliary cathode. The auxiliary cathode layer also includes a third auxiliary cathode, which is arranged on a side of the second auxiliary cathode away from the first auxiliary cathode, and the lateral end of the second auxiliary cathode is arranged beyond the lateral end of the third auxiliary cathode; the display panel includes a display area, the display area includes a light-emitting area and a non-light-emitting area, the light-emitting material part includes a first part, a second part and a third part arranged in the light-emitting area, the first part is arranged between the pixel electrode and the cathode, and the first part extends to the area where the lateral end of the second auxiliary cathode exceeds the lateral end of the first auxiliary cathode, the second part is arranged in the non-light-emitting area and extends to the light-emitting area, The second part is arranged between the cathode and the third auxiliary cathode, and in the area where the lateral end of the second auxiliary cathode exceeds the lateral end of the first auxiliary cathode, the projection of the second part on the substrate overlaps with the projection of the first part on the substrate, and the second auxiliary cathode is arranged between the first part and the second part; in the area where the lateral end of the second auxiliary cathode exceeds the lateral end of the third auxiliary cathode, the third part is arranged on the side of the second auxiliary cathode away from the third auxiliary cathode, the projection of the third part on the substrate overlaps with the projection of the second part on the substrate, and the second auxiliary cathode is arranged between the third part and the second part.

2. The display panel according to claim 1, wherein The adjacent cathodes are in contact with two side surfaces of the second auxiliary cathode located between the adjacent cathodes, respectively.

3. The display panel according to claim 2, wherein: The pixel electrode layer further includes an auxiliary electrode. The pixel electrode and the auxiliary electrode are spaced apart from each other, and the auxiliary electrode is in contact with the cathode layer.

4. The display panel according to claim 3, wherein: The auxiliary electrode includes a first electrode portion, a second electrode portion and a third electrode portion, the second electrode portion is arranged on the first electrode portion and the third electrode portion, the lateral end of the second electrode portion exceeds the lateral end of the first electrode portion and the lateral end of the third electrode portion, the light-emitting material portion also includes a fourth portion arranged in the non-light-emitting area, the fourth portion is arranged in the area where the lateral end of the second electrode portion exceeds the lateral end of the third electrode portion, and the fourth portion is arranged between the second electrode portion and the driving circuit layer.

5. The display panel according to claim 4, wherein: The auxiliary electrode includes a via hole, the cathode is disposed in the via hole, and the cathode contacts a side surface of the second electrode portion.

6. The display panel according to claim 3, wherein: The driving circuit layer includes a light shielding layer, which includes a first connecting electrode and a second connecting electrode. The first connecting electrode and the second connecting electrode are spaced apart, the first connecting electrode is electrically connected to the auxiliary electrode, and the second connecting electrode is electrically connected to the pixel electrode.

7. The display panel according to claim 1, wherein: The display panel further includes an inorganic layer, which is disposed on a side of the cathode layer away from the light-emitting material layer. The inorganic layer includes a plurality of inorganic parts, which are disposed corresponding to the cathode.

8. A display device, characterized in that: The display panel comprises the display panel according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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