An electro-optic device comprising a barrier layer

Abstract

An electro-optical device is disclosed comprising a layer of electro-optical material, a barrier layer adjacent the layer of electro-optical material, and an adhesive layer comprising a dopant, where the layer of electro-optical material, the barrier layer, and the adhesive layer are disposed between two electrode layers. The barrier layer prevents or reduces diffusion of dopants and other materials from one layer to another of the electro-optical device, prevents degradation of components of the device, and achieves good electro-optical performance.

Description

(19) State Intellectual Property Office (12) Invention Patent Application (10) Application Publication Number (43) Application Publication Date (21) Application Number 202480062649.8 (22) Application Date 2024.09.25 (30) Priority Data 63 / 541356 2023.09.29 US (85) PCT International Application Entering National Phase Date 2026.03.27 (86) PCT International Application Application Data PCT / US2024 / 048251 2024.09.25 (87) PCT International Application Publication Data WO2025 / 072227 EN 2025.04.03 (71) Applicant Eink Company Address Massachusetts, USA (72) Inventors P. Kamaev D.D. Miller (74) Patent Agency Beijing Panhua Weiye Intellectual Property Agency Co., Ltd. 11280 Patent Attorney Guo Guangxun (51) Int.Cl. G02F 1 / 1675 (2006.01) G02F 1 / 16756 (2006.01) (54) Invention Title: Electro-optic Device Including Barrier Layer (57) Abstract: Discloses an electro-optic device comprising an electro-optic material layer, a barrier layer adjacent to the electro-optic material layer, and an adhesive layer containing dopants, wherein the electro-optic material layer, the barrier layer, and the adhesive layer are disposed between two electrode layers. The barrier layer prevents or reduces the diffusion of dopants and other materials from one layer of the electro-optic device to another, prevents the deterioration of the components of the device, and achieves good electro-optic performance. Claims 3 pages, Description 18 pages, Drawings 19 pages, CN 121925591 A 2026.04.24 CN 1 21 92 55 91 A 1. An electro-optic device, which is a type (A) or a type (B) electro-optic device, wherein the type (A) electro-optic device comprises, in sequence: a first light-transmitting electrode layer; a barrier layer, the barrier layer being light-transmitting; an electro-optic material layer; a first adhesive layer; and a second electrode layer; wherein the type (B) electro-optic device comprises, in sequence: a first light-transmitting electrode layer; an electro-optic material layer; a barrier layer; a first adhesive layer; and a second electrode layer; wherein the electro-optic material layer comprises an electrophoretic medium, the electrophoretic medium comprising charged pigment particles in a non-polar liquid, the first adhesive layer comprising a first dopant having a first concentration, and the second electrode layer comprising a plurality of pixel electrodes. 2. The electro-optic device of claim 1, wherein the electrophoretic medium is encapsulated in a plurality of microcapsules or a plurality of microunits, each microunit comprising a partition wall, an opening and a sealing layer, the sealing layer spanning the opening of each microunit.3. The electro-optic device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the electrophoretic medium is encapsulated in a plurality of microcapsules, and wherein the electro-optic device further comprises a second adhesive layer disposed between the first electrode layer and the barrier layer in the (A) type electro-optic device, or the second adhesive layer disposed between the barrier layer and the second electrode layer in the (B) type electro-optic device, the second adhesive layer comprising a second dopant having a second concentration. 4. The electro-optic device according to claim 3, wherein the first dopant and the second dopant may be the same or different. 5. The electro-optic device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first concentration of the first dopant in the first adhesive layer is 50 to 1000 ppm by weight of the first adhesive layer. 6. The electro-optic device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the first concentration of the first dopant in the first adhesive layer is a concentration lower than the second concentration of the second dopant in the second adhesive layer. 7. The electro-optic device according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the second concentration of the second dopant in the second adhesive layer is 1000 to 5000 ppm based on the weight of the first adhesive layer. 8. The electro-optic device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first dopant is an ionic liquid. 9. The electro-optic device according to any one of claims 3 to 8, wherein the second dopant is an ionic liquid. 10. The electro-optic device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the first adhesive layer comprises polyurethane. 11. The electro-optic device according to any one of claims 3 to 10, wherein the second adhesive layer comprises polyurethane. 12. The electro-optic device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the barrier layer comprises a material selected from silicon dioxide, aluminum oxide, aluminum nitride, titanium nitride, titanium oxide, silicon nitride, indium tungsten oxide, metals, and mixtures thereof. 13. The electro-optic device of claim 12, wherein the metal is iron, titanium, germanium, vanadium, tungsten, silicon, silver, nickel, niobium, chromium, gold, or mixtures thereof. 14. The electro-optic device of claim 13, wherein the average thickness of the barrier layer is 5 to 30 nm. 15. The electro-optic device of any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the average thickness of the barrier layer is 5 nm to 1 micrometer. 16. The electro-optic device of any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the average thickness of the barrier layer is 5 to 200 nm. 17. The electro-optic device of any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the barrier layer is formed by sputtering.18. The electro-optic device according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the barrier layer is formed by chemical vapor deposition. 19. A method of manufacturing an electro-optic component, comprising the steps of: providing a first electrode layer having a surface, the first electrode layer including a light-transmitting electrode; coating an electro-optic material slurry onto the surface of the first electrode layer, the electro-optic material slurry comprising a plurality of microcapsules and an adhesive, each of the plurality of microcapsules containing charged particles in a nonpolar liquid; curing the adhesive to form an electro-optic material layer on the first electrode layer; forming a barrier layer on the electro-optic material by sputtering a barrier material or by chemical vapor deposition via a barrier material; coating a first adhesive composition onto the barrier layer; curing the adhesive composition to produce a first adhesive layer; and attaching a first release sheet to the first adhesive layer. 20. A method for manufacturing an electro-optic device, the method comprising the steps of: providing a third release sheet; coating an electro-optic material slurry onto the third release sheet, the slurry comprising a plurality of microcapsules and an adhesive, each of the plurality of microcapsules containing charged particles in a nonpolar liquid; and curing the electro-optic material slurry to form an electro-optic material layer on the third release sheet.An electro-optic material film is formed on the electro-optic material layer by sputtering a barrier material or by chemical vapor deposition via a barrier material, comprising a barrier layer, an electro-optic material layer, and a third release sheet; a second release sheet is provided; a second adhesive composition is coated onto the second release sheet; the second adhesive composition is cured to produce a second adhesive layer; a fourth release sheet is adhered to the first adhesive layer to form a second release structure, comprising a fourth release sheet, a second adhesive layer, and a second release sheet; the fourth release sheet is removed from the second release structure to expose the surface of the second adhesive layer of the second release structure; the exposed surface of the second adhesive layer is connected to the barrier layer of the electro-optic material film to form an intermediate electro-optic structure, comprising a second release sheet, a second adhesive layer, a barrier layer, an electro-optic material layer, and a third release sheet; a first release sheet is provided; a first adhesive composition is coated onto the first release sheet; Claims 2 / 3 pages 3 CN 121925591 A. Curing the first adhesive composition to produce a first adhesive layer to form a first release structure including the first adhesive layer and the first release sheet; Removing the third release sheet from the intermediate electro-optic structure to expose the surface of the electro-optic material layer; Attaching the exposed surface of the electro-optic material layer to the first adhesive layer of the first release structure to form a double release sheet; Providing a second electrode; Removing the first release sheet of the double release sheet to expose the surface of the first adhesive layer; Connecting the exposed surface of the first adhesive layer to the second electrode to form an intermediate electro-optic matrix; Providing a first light-transmitting electrode layer; Removing the second release sheet of the intermediate electro-optic matrix to expose the surface of the second adhesive layer; Connecting the exposed surface of the second adhesive layer to the first light-transmitting electrode. Claims 3 / 3 Page 4 CN 121925591 A Electro-optic device including a barrier layer

[0001] Related Applications

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 541,356, filed September 29, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety along with all other patents and patent applications disclosed herein.

[0003] Background of the Invention

[0004] The present invention relates to an electro-optic device comprising an electro-optic material layer, a barrier layer adjacent to the electro-optic material layer, and an adhesive layer comprising a dopant, wherein the electro-optic material layer, the barrier layer, and the adhesive layer are disposed between two electrode layers. The barrier layer prevents or reduces the diffusion of dopants and other materials from one layer of the electro-optic device to another, thereby maintaining good electro-optic performance of the electro-optic device.

[0005] When applied to materials or devices or displays or components, the term “electro-optic” is used herein in its conventional meaning in the field of imaging to refer to a material having a first display state and a second display state that differ in at least one optical property, which is altered from its first display state to its second display state by applying an electric field to the material. While the optical property is typically color perceptible to the human eye, it can be another optical property, such as transmittance, reflectivity, luminescence, or, in the case of a display intended for machine reading, pseudocolor, in the sense of a change in reflectivity at electromagnetic wavelengths outside the visible light range. The terms “electro-optic device” and “electro-optic display” are considered synonymous herein. As used herein, the term “electro-optic assembly” can be an electro-optic device. It can also be a multilayer component used to construct an electro-optic device. Thus, for example, the front panel laminate described below is also considered an electro-optic assembly.

[0006] The term “grayscale” is used herein in its conventional meaning in the field of imaging to refer to an intermediate state between two extreme display states of a pixel, and does not necessarily imply a black-and-white transition between these two extreme states. For example, several E Ink patents and published applications mentioned below describe electrophoretic displays where the extreme states are white and dark blue, making the intermediate "gray state" actually a pale blue. In reality, as already mentioned, the change in display state may not be a color change at all. The terms "black" and "white" can be used below to refer to the two extreme display states of a display and should be understood to generally include extreme display states that are not strictly black and white, such as the aforementioned white state and dark blue state. The term "monochrome" can be used below to refer to a driving scheme that drives pixels only to their two extreme display states without intermediate gray states.

[0007] Some electro-optic materials are solid in the sense that the material has a solid outer surface, although the material may and often has internal liquid- or gas-filled spaces. For convenience, such a display using solid electro-optic materials can be referred to below as a "solid-state electro-optic display". Thus, the term "solid-state electro-optic display" includes rotating dual-color element displays, encapsulated electrophoretic displays, microcell electrophoretic displays, and encapsulated liquid crystal displays.

[0008] The terms “bistable” and “bistable” are used herein in their conventional meaning in the art to refer to a display comprising display elements having a first display state and a second display state that are different in at least one optical property, such that after either given element has been driven to present its first display state or second display state by an addressing pulse of finite duration, the state will persist for at least several times, for example at least four times, the minimum duration of the addressing pulse required to change the state of the display element.U.S. Patent No. 7,170,670 shows that some particle-based electrophoretic displays capable of displaying grayscale are stable not only in their extreme black and white states, but also in their intermediate gray states, and so are some other types of electro-optic displays. This type of display is properly referred to as "multistable" rather than bistable, but for convenience, the term "bistable" may be used herein to cover both bistable and multistable displays. Specification 1 / 18 page 5 CN 121925591 A

[0009] Several types of electro-optic displays are known. One type of electro-optic display is the rotating bicolor element type, as described, for example, in U.S. Patents Nos. 5,808,783; 5,777,782; 5,760,761; 6,054,071; 6,055,091; 6,097,531; 6,128,124; 6,137,467; and 6,147,791. While this type of display is often referred to as a “rotating bicolor sphere” display, the term “rotating bicolor element” is preferred because it is more accurate, as the rotating element in some of the aforementioned patents is not spherical. Such displays utilize a large number of small bodies (typically spherical or cylindrical) having two or more portions with different optical properties, along with internal dipoles. These small bodies are suspended in liquid-filled vesicles within a matrix, allowing the small bodies to rotate freely. By applying an electric field, the small bodies are rotated to different positions, altering which portion of the small body is seen through the viewing surface, thus changing the appearance of the display. This type of electro-optic medium is typically bistable.

[0010] Another type of electro-optic display uses an electrochromic medium, for example, an electrochromic medium in the form of a nanochromic film, which includes an electrode formed at least partially of a semiconductor metal oxide, and a plurality of dye molecules attached to the electrode capable of reversibly changing color; see, for example, O'Regan, B., et al., Nature 1991, 353, 737; and Wood, D., Information Display, 18(3), 24 (March 2002). See also Bach, U., et al., Adv. Mater., 2002, 14(11), 845. This type of nanochromic film is also described, for example, in U.S. Patents 6,301,038, 6,870,657 and 6,950,220. This type of medium is also typically bistable.

[0011] Another type of electro-optic display is the electrowetting display developed by Philips and described in Hayes, RA, et al., “Video-Speed ​​Electronic Paper Based on Electrowetting”, Nature, 425, 383-385 (2003). U.S. Patent No. 7,420,549 shows that such an electrowetting display can be made bistable.

[0012] One class of electro-optic displays that has been the subject of extensive research and development for many years is particle-based electrophoretic displays, in which multiple charged particles move through a liquid under the influence of an electric field. Compared to liquid crystal displays, electrophoretic displays can have properties such as good brightness and contrast, wide viewing angles, bistable states, and low power consumption. However, long-term image quality problems of these displays have hindered their widespread application. For example, the particles constituting an electrophoretic display tend to settle, resulting in insufficient lifespan for these displays.

[0013] As mentioned above, the electrophoretic medium requires the presence of a fluid. In most prior art electrophoretic media, the fluid is a liquid, but gaseous fluids can also be used to produce electrophoretic media; see, for example, Kitamura, T., et al., “Electrical toner movement for electronic paper-like display”, IDW Japan, 2001, Paper HCS1-1, and Yamaguchi, Y., et al., “Toner display using insulative particles charged triboelectrically”, IDW Japan, 2001, Paper AMD4-4. See also U.S. Patents 7,321,459 and 7,236,291. When such gas-based electrophoretic media are used in orientations that allow particle sedimentation, for example, in a sign where the media is positioned in a vertical plane, the media appears susceptible to the same type of problems caused by such sedimentation as those with liquid-based electrophoretic media. In fact, particle sedimentation appears to be a more serious problem in gas-based electrophoresis media than in liquid-based electrophoresis media because the lower viscosity of gaseous suspensions compared to liquid suspensions causes electrophoretic particles to settle more quickly.

[0014] Numerous patents and applications assigned to or attributed to MIT, E Ink Corporation, E Ink California, LLC., and related companies describe various techniques used in encapsulated electrophoretic media and microcell electrophoretic media, as well as other electro-optic media. Encapsulated electrophoretic media comprise a plurality of vesicles, each vesicle comprising an inner phase and a vesicle wall surrounding the inner phase, which contains particles that electrophoretically move in a liquid medium. Typically, the vesicles themselves are held in a polymer binder to form a coherent layer located between two electrodes. In microcell electrophoretic displays, the charged particles and liquid are not encapsulated within microcapsules but are retained within a carrier medium, typically a polymer film, forming multiple cavities. Hereinafter, the term “microcavity electrophoretic display” may be used to encompass both encapsulated electrophoretic displays and microcell electrophoretic displays. The technologies described in these patents and applications include:

[0015] (a) electrophoretic particles, fluids, and fluid additives; see, for example, U.S. Patent Nos. 7,002,728 and 7,679,814.

[0016] (b) capsules, adhesives, and encapsulation methods; see, for example, U.S. Patent Nos. 6,922,276, 7,184,197, and 7,411,719.

[0017] (c) microcell structures, wall materials, and methods of forming microcells; see, for example, U.S. Patent Nos. 7,072,095 and 9,279,906.

[0018] (d) methods for filling and sealing microcells; see, for example, U.S. Patent Nos. 7,144,942 and 7,715,088.

[0019] (e) films and subassemblies containing electro-optic materials; see, for example, U.S. Patent Nos. 6,982,178 and 7,839,564.

[0020] (f) Backplates, adhesive layers, and other auxiliary layers used in displays, and methods thereof; see, for example, U.S. Patent Nos. 7,116,318, 7,535,624, 7,012,735, and 7,173,752.

[0021] (g) Color formation and color adjustment; see, for example, U.S. Patent Nos. 7,075,502 and 7,839,564.

[0022] (h) Methods for driving displays; see, for example, U.S. Patent Nos. 7,012,600 and 7,453,445.

[0023] (i) Applications of displays; see, for example, U.S. Patent Nos. 7,312,784 and 8,009,348.

[0024] (j) Non-electrophoretic displays, as described in U.S. Patent No. 6,241,921 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0277160; and applications of encapsulation and microcell technologies other than displays; see, for example, U.S. Patent Application Publications Nos. 2015 / 0005720 and 2016 / 0012710.

[0025] Many of the foregoing patents and applications recognize that the walls surrounding discrete microcapsules in an encapsulated electrophoretic medium can be replaced by a continuous phase, thereby producing a so-called polymer-dispersed electrophoretic display. In such a display, the electrophoretic medium comprises a plurality of discrete droplets of electrophoretic liquid and a continuous phase of polymeric material. The discrete droplets of electrophoretic liquid within such a polymer-dispersed electrophoretic display can be considered as capsules or microcapsules, although the discrete capsule membrane is not associated with each individual droplet; see, for example, U.S. Patent No. 6,866,760. Therefore, for the purposes of this application, such polymer-dispersed electrophoretic media are considered a subtype of encapsulated electrophoretic media.

[0026] Although electrophoretic media are often opaque (because, for example, in many electrophoretic media, particles essentially block visible light from passing through the display) and operate in a reflective mode, many electrophoretic displays can be made to operate in a so-called “shutter mode,” where one display state is substantially opaque and the other is transparent. See, for example, U.S. Patents 5,872,552; 6,130,774, 6,144,361, 6,172,798, 6,271,823, 6,225,971, and 6,184,856. Dielectric electrophoretic displays, similar to electrophoretic displays but dependent on changes in electric field strength, can operate in a similar mode; see U.S. Patent 4,418,346. Other types of electro-optic displays may also be able to operate in a shutter mode. Electro-optic media operating in shutter mode can be used in multilayer structures for full-color displays; in such structures, at least one layer adjacent to the viewing surface of the display operates in shutter mode to expose or hide a second layer further away from the viewing surface.

[0027] Encapsulated electrophoretic displays generally do not suffer from the aggregation and sedimentation failure modes of conventional electrophoretic devices and offer further advantages such as the ability to print or coat the display on a wide variety of flexible and rigid substrates.The use of the term “printing” is intended to encompass all forms of printing and coating, including but not limited to: volumetric coating, such as patch die coating (page 3 / 18, CN 121925591 A), slot or extrusion coating, cascade coating, curtain coating; roll coating, such as doctor blade coating, forward and reverse roll coating; gravure coating; dip coating; spray coating; meniscus coating; spin coating; brush coating; air knife coating; screen printing; electrostatic printing; thermal printing; inkjet printing; electrophoretic deposition (see U.S. Patent No. 7,339,715); and other similar techniques. Therefore, the resulting display can be flexible. Furthermore, because various methods can be used to print the display medium, the display can be manufactured at low cost.

[0028] Other types of electro-optic materials can also be used in this invention. Of particular interest are bistable ferroelectric liquid crystal displays (FLCs), which are known in the art.

[0029] In addition to the electro-optic material layer, an electrophoretic display typically includes at least two other layers disposed on opposite sides of the electro-optic material layer. One of these layers is an electrode layer. In most electro-optic devices, both layers are electrode layers, and at least one electrode layer is patterned to define a pixel of the device. For example, one electrode layer may be patterned as an elongated row electrode, and the other electrode layer may be patterned as an elongated column electrode extending perpendicularly to the row electrode, with the pixel defined by the intersection of the row and column electrodes. Alternatively and more commonly, one electrode layer has the form of a transparent, single continuous electrode, and the other electrode layer is patterned as a pixel electrode matrix, each pixel electrode defining a pixel of the display. That is, one of the layers is typically a conductive transparent layer, and the other layer, typically referred to as a backplane substrate, includes a plurality of pixel electrodes configured to apply a potential between the conductive transparent layer and the pixel electrodes. Another type of electro-optic device is designed for use with a stylus, printhead, or similar movable electrode separate from the display, wherein only one of the layers adjacent to the electro-optic layer contains the electrode, and the layer on the opposite side of the electro-optic layer is typically a protective layer designed to prevent the movable electrode from damaging the electro-optic material layer.

[0030] The manufacture of a three-layer electro-optic display typically involves at least one lamination operation. For example, a method for manufacturing an encapsulated electrophoretic display is described in several of the aforementioned MIT and E Ink patents and applications, wherein an encapsulated electrophoretic medium containing a capsule in an adhesive is coated onto a flexible substrate containing an indium tin oxide (ITO) or similar conductive coating (which serves as one electrode of the final display) on a plastic film, and the capsule / adhesive coating is dried to form a coherent layer of electrophoretic medium firmly adhered to the substrate.A backplane is fabricated separately, comprising an array of pixel electrodes and a suitable conductor arrangement to connect the pixel electrodes to a drive circuit. To form the final display, a substrate having an encapsulation / adhesive layer is laminated to the backplane using a laminating adhesive. An electrophoretic display that can be used with a stylus or similar movable electrodes, on which the stylus or other movable electrodes can slide, can be fabricated using a very similar method by replacing the backplane with a simple protective layer, such as a plastic film. In a preferred form of such a method, the backplane itself is flexible and is fabricated by printing the pixel electrodes and conductors onto a plastic film or other flexible substrate. An obvious lamination technique for mass-producing displays using this method is roll lamination using a laminating adhesive. Similar manufacturing techniques can be used for other types of electro-optic displays. For example, microcell electrophoretic media or rotating dual-color element media can be laminated to the backplane in substantially the same manner as encapsulated electrophoretic media.

[0031] The aforementioned U.S. Patent No. 6,982,178 describes a method for assembling a solid-state electro-optic display (including an encapsulated electrophoretic display) that is well-suited for mass production. Essentially, the patent describes a so-called "front panel laminate" ("FPL") comprising, in sequence: a light-transmitting conductive layer; a solid electro-optic dielectric layer; an adhesive layer; and a release liner. Typically, the light-transmitting conductive layer is carried on a light-transmitting substrate, which is preferably flexible, meaning it can be manually wound around a roller with a diameter of approximately 10 inches (254 mm) without permanent deformation. As used in this patent and herein, the term "light-transmitting" means that the layer, as defined herein, transmits sufficient light to allow a viewer to see through it and perceive changes in the display state of the electro-optic dielectric, typically through the conductive layer and an adjacent substrate (if present); where the electro-optic dielectric exhibits a change in reflectivity over non-visible wavelengths (as described in the specification, page 4 / 18, 8 CN 121925591 A), the term "light-transmitting" should of course be interpreted as referring to the transmission of the relevant non-visible wavelength. The substrate is typically a polymer film and usually has a thickness ranging from about 1 to about 25 mils (25 to 634 μm), preferably from about 2 to about 10 mils (51 to 254 μm). The conductive layer is preferably a thin metal or metal oxide layer, such as an aluminum or ITO layer, or it may be a conductive polymer. Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) films coated with aluminum or ITO are commercially available, for example, from E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company of Wilmington, Delaware, under the name "aluminized Mylar" ("Mylar" is a registered trademark), and such commercial materials can be used in front panel laminates with good results.

[0032] Assembling an electro-optic display using such a front-panel laminate can be achieved by removing the release sheet from the front-panel laminate and contacting the adhesive layer with the backplate while effectively adhering the adhesive layer to the backplate, thereby fixing the adhesive layer, electro-optic dielectric layer, and conductive layer to the backplate. This method is well-suited for mass production because the front-panel laminate can be mass-produced, generally using roll-to-roll coating technology, and then cut into sheets of any size required for use with a particular backplate.

[0033] U.S. Patent No. 7,561,324 describes a so-called “dual release film” or “dual release sheet,” which is essentially a simplified version of the front-panel laminate of the aforementioned U.S. Patent No. 6,982,178. One form of dual release film includes a solid electro-optic dielectric layer sandwiched between two adhesive layers, wherein one or both of the adhesive layers are covered by the release sheet. Another form of dual release film includes a solid electro-optic dielectric layer sandwiched between two release sheets. Both forms of dual release films are intended for use in methods generally similar to those used for assembling electro-optic displays from a front-panel laminate already described, but involving two separate laminations; typically, in the first lamination, the dual release film is laminated to the front electrode to form a front sub-assembly, and then in the second lamination, the front sub-assembly is laminated to the backplate to form the final display, but the order of these two laminations can be reversed if desired.

[0034] As an alternative structure, U.S. Patent No. 7,839,564 describes a so-called “inverted front-panel laminate,” a variation of the front-panel laminate described in U.S. Patent No. 6,982,178. This inverted front-panel laminate sequentially comprises: at least one of a light-transmitting protective layer and a light-transmitting conductive layer; an adhesive layer; a solid electro-optic dielectric layer; and a release sheet. The inverted front plate laminate is used to form an electro-optic display having a laminated adhesive layer between the electro-optic layer and the front electrode or front substrate; a second, typically thin, adhesive layer may or may not be present between the electro-optic layer and the back plate.

[0035] Performance criteria for electro-optic devices include consistent performance over time and at various temperatures, image resolution, and device lifetime. The individual layers of an electro-optic device comprise materials with relatively small molecules, causing them to diffuse from one layer to another. This diffusion can lead to a decrease in device performance and a shortened device lifetime. For example, an electrophoretic display may comprise two (or more) different adhesive layers, a first adhesive layer and a second adhesive layer. Typically, the two adhesive layers have different compositions, such as different dopant concentrations. The first adhesive layer connects the electro-optic material layer to the back electrode, i.e., an electrode comprising multiple pixel electrodes, while the second adhesive composition connects the electro-optic material layer to the front electrode. The second adhesive layer is typically more conductive than the first adhesive layer. That is, typically, the second adhesive layer contains a higher concentration of dopant.Importantly, the first adhesive layer does not possess high conductivity, as such high conductivity increases vignetting, negatively impacting image resolution. Vignetting is the phenomenon where the area of ​​the electro-optic material layer that changes its optical state in response to voltage changes at the pixel electrode is larger than the pixel electrode itself. If dopant molecules diffuse from the second adhesive layer to the first adhesive layer, the dopant concentration in the first adhesive layer increases, and as a result, vignetting increases, reducing device resolution. Generally, material diffusion from one layer of a device to another can also degrade other components of the device, reducing its lifespan. The inventors of this invention have discovered that a barrier layer of controllable thickness can be effectively formed near the electro-optic material layer of the electro-optic device. (Specification 5 / 18, page 9, CN 121925591 A) Furthermore, the inventors of this invention unexpectedly discovered that the presence of a barrier layer near the electro-optic material layer of the electro-optic device improves the low-temperature performance of the device. Specifically, the device of this invention, including the barrier layer, has been observed to exhibit reduced flicker when transitioning from one optical state to another.

[0036] Summary of the Invention

[0037] Several aspects of the present invention relate to adhesive compositions and electro-optic components and front-panel laminates comprising these adhesive compositions.

[0038] In one aspect, the present invention provides an electro-optic device, which may be of type (A) or type (B). The type (A) electro-optic device sequentially comprises a first transparent electrode layer, a barrier layer, an electro-optic material layer, a first adhesive layer, and a second electrode layer. The barrier layer of the type (A) electro-optic device is transparent. The electro-optic material layer comprises an electrophoretic medium comprising charged pigment particles in a non-polar liquid. The first adhesive layer comprises a first dopant having a first concentration. The first dopant may be an ionic liquid. The second electrode layer comprises a plurality of pixel electrodes. The first concentration of the first dopant in the first adhesive layer may be from 50 ppm to 1000 ppm by weight of the first adhesive layer. The first adhesive layer may comprise polyurethane.

[0039] The (B) type electro-optic device sequentially comprises a first transparent electrode layer, an electro-optic material layer, a barrier layer, a first adhesive layer, and a second electrode layer. The barrier layer of the (B) type electro-optic device does not need to be transparent. The electro-optic material layer comprises an electrophoretic medium containing charged pigment particles in a non-polar liquid. The first adhesive layer contains a first dopant having a first concentration. The first dopant may be an ionic liquid. The second electrode layer comprises a plurality of pixel electrodes. The first concentration of the first dopant in the first adhesive layer may be from 50 ppm to 1000 ppm by weight of the first adhesive layer. The first adhesive layer may comprise polyurethane.

[0040] For both the (A) and (B) type electro-optic devices of this device, the electrophoretic medium may be encapsulated in a plurality of microcapsules or in a plurality of microunits.Each microunit includes a partition wall, an opening, and a sealing layer, the sealing layer spanning the opening of each microunit. In an electro-optic device in which the electrophoretic medium is encapsulated in multiple microcapsules, the electro-optic device may further include a second adhesive layer. In a type (A) electro-optic device, the second adhesive layer is disposed between a first electrode layer and a barrier layer. In a type (B) electro-optic device, the second adhesive layer is disposed between a first electrode layer and an electro-optic material layer. The second adhesive layer may contain a second dopant having a second concentration. The first dopant may be the same as or different from the second dopant. The first concentration of the first dopant in the first adhesive layer may be a concentration lower than the second concentration of the second dopant in the second adhesive layer. The second concentration of the second dopant in the second adhesive layer may be from 1000 ppm to 5000 ppm by weight of the first adhesive layer. The second dopant may be an ionic liquid. The second adhesive layer may contain polyurethane.

[0041] The barrier layer may be formed by sputtering or chemical vapor deposition. The average thickness of the barrier layer may be from 5 nm to 200 nm. The barrier layer may comprise a material selected from silicon dioxide, aluminum oxide, aluminum nitride, titanium nitride, titanium oxide, silicon nitride, indium tungsten oxide, metals, and mixtures thereof. If the barrier layer comprises a metal, the metal may be iron, titanium, germanium, vanadium, tungsten, silicon, silver, nickel, niobium, chromium, gold, and mixtures thereof. If the barrier layer comprises a metal, the average thickness of the barrier layer may be from 5 nm to 30 nm.

[0042] On the other hand, the present invention provides an electro-optic component, which sequentially comprises a first substrate, a first light-transmitting electrode layer, a barrier layer, an electro-optic material layer, a first adhesive layer comprising a first dopant having a first concentration, and a release sheet. The barrier layer is light-transmitting.

[0043] On the other hand, the present invention provides an electro-optic component, which sequentially comprises a first release sheet, a second adhesive layer comprising a second dopant having a second concentration, a barrier layer, an electro-optic material layer, a first adhesive layer comprising a first dopant having a first concentration, and a second release sheet. The barrier layer is transparent.

[0044] On the other hand, the present invention provides an electro-optic component, which sequentially includes a first substrate, a first transparent electrode layer, an electro-optic material layer, a barrier layer, a first adhesive layer containing a first dopant having a first concentration, and a release sheet. The barrier layer may be transparent or opaque.

[0045] On the other hand, the present invention provides an electro-optic component, which sequentially includes a first release sheet, a second adhesive layer containing a second dopant having a second concentration, an electro-optic material layer, a barrier layer, a first adhesive layer containing a first dopant having a first concentration, and a second release sheet. The barrier layer may be transparent or opaque.

[0046] On the other hand, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing an electro-optic device, the method comprising the following steps: (a) providing a first electrode layer having a surface, the first electrode layer including a light-transmitting electrode; (b) coating an electro-optic material slurry onto the surface of the first electrode layer, the electro-optic material slurry comprising a plurality of microcapsules and an adhesive, each of the plurality of microcapsules containing charged particles in a nonpolar liquid; (c) curing the adhesive to form an electro-optic material layer on the surface of the first electrode layer; (d) forming a barrier layer on the electro-optic material via sputtering a barrier material or via chemical vapor deposition of a barrier material; (e) coating a first adhesive composition. (a) Applying the adhesive composition to the barrier layer; (f) Curing the adhesive composition to form a first adhesive layer; (g) Applying a first release liner to the first adhesive layer; (h) Providing a second electrode including a plurality of pixel electrodes; Removing the first release liner to expose the surface of the first adhesive layer; (i) Applying the second electrode to the first adhesive layer; (j) Providing a first light-transmitting electrode; (k) Removing the second release liner to expose the surface of the second adhesive layer; (i) Applying the first light-transmitting electrode to the first adhesive layer.

[0047] On the other hand, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing an electro-optic device, the method comprising the following steps: (a) (a) providing a first electrode layer having a surface, the first electrode layer including a light-transmitting electrode; (b) forming a barrier layer on the surface of the first electrode layer by sputtering a barrier material or by chemical vapor deposition of a barrier material; (c) coating an electro-optic material slurry onto the surface of the barrier layer, the electro-optic material slurry comprising a plurality of microcapsules and an adhesive, each of the plurality of microcapsules containing charged particles in a nonpolar liquid; (d) curing the adhesive to form an electro-optic material layer on the surface of the first electrode layer; (e) coating a first adhesive composition onto... (f) Curing the adhesive composition to form a first adhesive layer; (g) attaching a first release liner to the first adhesive layer; (h) providing a second electrode including a plurality of pixel electrodes; removing the first release liner to expose the surface of the first adhesive layer; (i) attaching the second electrode to the first adhesive layer; (j) providing a first light-transmitting electrode; (k) removing the second release liner to expose the surface of the second adhesive layer; (i) attaching the first light-transmitting electrode to the first adhesive layer.

[0048] In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing an electro-optic device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a third release sheet; (b) coating an electro-optic material slurry onto the third release sheet, the slurry comprising a plurality of microcapsules and an adhesive, each of the plurality of microcapsules containing charged particles in a nonpolar liquid; (c) curing the electro-optic material slurry to form an electro-optic material layer on the third release sheet; (d) forming a barrier layer on the electro-optic material layer by sputtering a barrier material or by chemical vapor deposition via a barrier material to form an electro-optic material film comprising, in sequence, the barrier layer, the electro-optic material layer and the third release sheet; (e) providing a second release sheet; (f) coating a second adhesive composition onto... (g) Curing the second adhesive composition to form a second adhesive layer; (h) Attaching a fourth release sheet to the first adhesive layer to form a second release structure, the second release structure comprising a fourth release sheet, a second adhesive layer, and a second release sheet; (i) Removing the fourth release sheet from the second release structure to expose the surface of the second adhesive layer of the second release structure; (j) Connecting the exposed surface of the second adhesive layer to the barrier layer of the electro-optic material film to form an intermediate electro-optic structure, the intermediate electro-optic structure comprising a second release sheet, a second release sheet, a second release sheet, and a second release sheet; (i) Removing the fourth release sheet from the second release structure to expose the surface of the second adhesive layer of the second release structure; (j) Connecting the exposed surface of the second adhesive layer to the barrier layer of the electro-optic material film to form an intermediate electro-optic structure, the intermediate electro-optic structure comprising a second release sheet, a second release sheet, and a second release sheet; (ii) Curing the second adhesive composition to form a second release layer; (iii) Applying the fourth release sheet to the first adhesive layer to form a second release structure, the second release structure comprising a fourth release sheet, a second release sheet, and a second release sheet; (iv) Applying the fourth release sheet to the second release structure to form a second release structure, the second release structure comprising a fourth release sheet, a second release sheet, and a second release sheet; (iv) Applying the fourth release sheet to the second release structure to form a second release structure, the second release structure comprising a fourth release sheet, a second release sheet, and a second release sheet; (viii) Applying the fourth release sheet to the second release structure to form a second release structure, the second release structure comprising a fourth release sheet, a second release sheet, and a second release sheet; (iv ... An adhesive layer, a barrier layer, an electro-optic material layer, and a third release sheet; (k) providing a first release sheet; (l) applying a first adhesive composition to the first release sheet; (m) curing the first adhesive composition to produce a first adhesive layer to form a first release structure including the first adhesive layer and the first release sheet; (n) removing the third release sheet from the intermediate electro-optic structure to expose the surface of the electro-optic material layer; (o) attaching the exposed surface of the electro-optic material layer to the first adhesive layer of the first release structure to form a double release sheet; (p) providing a second electrode; (q) removing the first release sheet of the double release sheet to expose the surface of the first adhesive layer; (r) connecting the exposed surface of the first adhesive layer to the second electrode to form an intermediate electro-optic web; (s) providing a first transparent electrode; (t) removing the second release sheet of the intermediate electro-optic web to expose the surface of the second adhesive layer; (u) connecting the exposed surface of the second adhesive layer to the first transparent electrode.

[0049] In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing an electro-optic device, comprising the following steps: (a) providing a third release sheet; (b) coating an electro-optic material slurry onto the third release sheet, the slurry comprising a plurality of microcapsules and an adhesive, each of the plurality of microcapsules containing charged particles in a nonpolar liquid; (c) curing the electro-optic material slurry to form an electro-optic material layer on the third release sheet; and (d) forming a barrier layer on the electro-optic material layer by sputtering a barrier material or by chemical vapor deposition of a barrier material. (e) forming an electro-optic material film comprising, in sequence, the barrier layer, the electro-optic material layer, and the third release sheet; (f) providing a first release sheet; (g) coating a first adhesive composition onto the first release sheet; (h) curing the first adhesive composition to produce a first adhesive layer; (i) attaching a fourth release sheet to the first adhesive composition to form a first release assembly, the first release assembly comprising, in sequence, a fourth release sheet, a first adhesive layer, and a first release sheet; (j) removing the fourth release sheet from the first release assembly to expose the surface of the first adhesive layer; and (e) attaching the first release sheet to the first release assembly. The exposed surface of the adhesive layer is connected to the barrier layer of the electro-optic material film to form an intermediate electro-optic assembly, the intermediate electro-optic assembly sequentially comprising a first release sheet, a first adhesive layer, a barrier layer, an electro-optic material layer, and a third release sheet; (k) providing a second release sheet; (l) coating a second adhesive composition onto the second release sheet; (m) curing the second adhesive composition to produce a second adhesive layer to form a second release assembly comprising the second adhesive layer and the second release sheet; (n) removing the third release sheet from the intermediate electro-optic assembly to expose the surface of the electro-optic material layer; (o) (p) Connecting the exposed surface of the electro-optic material layer of the intermediate electro-optic component to the second adhesive composition of the second release component to form a double release film; (q) Providing a second electrode; (r) Removing the first release sheet of the double release film to expose the surface of the first adhesive layer; (s) Connecting the exposed surface of the first adhesive layer to the second electrode to form an intermediate electro-optic device; (t) Providing a first light-transmitting electrode; (u) Removing the second release sheet of the intermediate electro-optic device to expose the surface of the second adhesive layer; (v) Connecting the exposed surface of the second adhesive layer to the first light-transmitting electrode.

[0050] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0051] Various aspects and embodiments of this application will be described with reference to the following drawings. It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0052] FIG1 is a schematic side view of an electro-optic device of type (B) of the present invention; the device includes a barrier layer located between an electro-optic material layer and a first adhesive layer adjacent to a backplate. The device may be manufactured via a front plate laminate assembly.The electro-optic material layer includes an electrophoretic medium encapsulated in a microcapsule.

[0053] FIG2 is a schematic side view of an electro-optic component (front panel laminate); it includes a barrier layer located between the electro-optic material layer and a first adhesive layer adjacent to a release liner. The electro-optic material layer includes an electrophoretic medium encapsulated in a microcapsule.

[0054] FIG3 is a schematic side view of a (B) type electro-optic device of the present invention; it includes a barrier layer located between the electro-optic material layer and a first adhesive layer adjacent to a back panel. The device can be manufactured via a double release film having two adhesive layers. The electro-optic material layer includes an electrophoretic medium encapsulated in a microcapsule.

[0055] FIG4 is a schematic side view of an electro-optic component (dual release film); it includes a barrier layer located between an electro-optic material layer and a first adhesive layer adjacent to a first release sheet. The dual release film has two adhesive layers. The electro-optic material layer includes an electrophoretic medium encapsulated in a microcapsule.

[0056] FIG5 is a schematic side view of an electro-optic device of type (A) of the present invention; it includes a barrier layer located between an electro-optic material layer and a second adhesive layer adjacent to a first light-transmitting electrode near the viewing side of the device. The device can be manufactured via a front-plate laminate assembly. The electro-optic material layer includes an electrophoretic medium encapsulated in a microcapsule.

[0057] FIG6 is a schematic side view of an electro-optic component (front-plate laminate); it includes a barrier layer located between an electro-optic material layer and a second adhesive layer adjacent to a second release sheet. The electro-optic material layer includes an electrophoretic medium encapsulated in a microcapsule.

[0058] FIG7 is a schematic side view of the electro-optic device of type (A) of the present invention; it includes a barrier layer located between an electro-optic material layer and a second adhesive layer, the second adhesive layer being adjacent to a first light-transmitting electrode near the viewing side of the device. The device can be manufactured via a double release film having two adhesive layers. The electro-optic material layer includes an electrophoretic medium encapsulated in a microcapsule.

[0059] FIG8 is a schematic side view of an electro-optic component (double release film); it includes a barrier layer located between an electro-optic material layer and a second adhesive layer, the second adhesive layer being adjacent to a second release sheet. The electro-optic material layer includes an electrophoretic medium encapsulated in a microcapsule.

[0060] FIG9 is a schematic side view of the electro-optic device of type (A) of the present invention; it includes a barrier layer located between an electro-optic material layer and a first adhesive layer, the first adhesive layer being adjacent to a backplate. The electro-optic material layer includes an electrophoretic medium encapsulated in a microcapsule.

[0061] FIG10 illustrates an example of a method for manufacturing the electro-optical device of FIG1.

[0062] FIG11 illustrates an example of a method for manufacturing the electro-optic device of FIG5.

[0063] FIG12 and FIG13 illustrate examples of a method for manufacturing the electro-optic device of FIG3.

[0064] FIG14 and FIG15 illustrate examples of a method for manufacturing the electro-optic device of FIG7.

[0065] FIG16 is the impedance spectrum of a control electro-optic device without a barrier layer.

[0066] FIG17 is the impedance spectrum of the electro-optic device of the present invention with a barrier layer.

[0067] FIG18 shows the equivalent circuit elements of a model for analyzing the electrochemical impedance spectra of the control device and the device of the present invention in the examples.

[0068] Other aspects, embodiments, and features of the invention will become apparent when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, based on the following detailed description.

[0069] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0070] The present invention has many different aspects, which will be described below. It should be recognized that a single electro-optic device or a component thereof may utilize multiple aspects of the invention.

[0071] The electro-optic device of the present invention may be an electrophoretic display.

[0072] It is useful to set forth certain definitions before describing the various aspects of the invention.

[0073] The term “transparent” refers to a layer, such as a barrier layer or an electrode layer, meaning that such a defined layer transmits sufficient light to allow a viewer to view through the layer to observe changes in the display state of the electrophoretic medium, typically through the first electrode layer and an adjacent substrate (if present).

[0074] The term “transparent electrode layer” as used is consistent with its conventional meaning in the field of electro-optic displays and in the aforementioned patents and publications, meaning a transparent rigid or flexible material. A transparent electrode layer most commonly comprises a single continuous electrode (comprising a conductive material) extending across the entire viewing side of the display. Typically, the surface of the transparent electrode layer visible to the viewer constitutes the viewing surface through which the viewer views the display, although additional layers may be inserted between the front substrate and the viewing surface. Like the backplate, the front substrate should provide sufficient barrier properties to prevent moisture and other contaminants from penetrating through the viewing side of the display.

[0075] The term "viewing side" or "viewing surface" of an electrophoretic display refers to the side of the electrophoretic display on which the image is displayed and can be viewed by a viewer. A typical electro-optic device has two sides, a viewing side and a back side. However, an electro-optic device may have two viewing sides.

[0076] Unless otherwise mentioned, the term "conductive" used herein for materials, layers, or seals means "electrically conductive" materials, layers, or seals.

[0077] The term “backplate” as used herein is consistent with its conventional meaning in the field of electro-optic devices and in the aforementioned patents and publications, meaning a rigid or flexible material comprising an electrode layer having one or more electrodes. The backplate may also be equipped with electronics for addressing the display, or such electronics may be disposed in a unit separate from the backplate. In flexible displays, it is highly desirable for the backplate to provide sufficient barrier properties to prevent moisture and other contaminants from intruding through the non-viewing side of the display (of course, the display is typically viewed from the side away from the backplate).

[0078] The present invention improves the performance and lifespan of electro-optic devices. Examples of such devices are shown in Figures 1 through 9.

[0079] Figure 1 is a schematic side view of an example of a type (B) electro-optic device of the present invention including a barrier layer. The electro-optic device 100 of Figure 1 includes a first transparent electrode layer 101, an electro-optic material layer 102, a barrier layer 103, a first adhesive layer 104, and a second electrode layer 105, the second layer 105 including a plurality of pixel electrodes. The electro-optic device may also include a first substrate or support layer (not shown in Figure 1). A substrate is located near the first transparent electrode layer 101, such that the first transparent electrode layer 101 is disposed between the first substrate and the electro-optic material layer 102. The substrate may be a polymer film or a glass substrate that supports the first transparent electrode layer and protects it from mechanical damage. A barrier layer 103 is adjacent to and in contact with the electro-optic material layer 102. The electro-optic material layer 102 may include an electrophoretic medium encapsulated in a plurality of microcapsules 106. That is, each microcapsule 106 contains one or more types of charged pigment particles in a non-polar liquid. When an electric field is applied via the first transparent electrode and the second electrode layer, the plurality of charged particles can be moved. Each of the plurality of capsules 106 may contain a plurality of first-type charged particles and a plurality of second-type charged particles in a non-polar liquid. Each of the plurality of capsules 106 may also contain a plurality of third-type charged particles and a plurality of fourth-type charged particles in a non-polar liquid. The electro-optic material layer 102 also includes an adhesive 107. Typically, the electro-optic material layer is formed from a slurry (or dispersion) containing a capsule and binder in a liquid. Specifically, the slurry is coated onto the layer and cured to form the electro-optic material layer. Curing of the slurry can be performed by heat or via UV irradiation. An image is generated by applying an electric field via two electrode layers.

[0080] The electro-optic device 100 of FIG. 1 can be manufactured from the electro-optic assembly 200 shown in FIG. 2. This assembly is a front panel laminate (FPL) and includes a light-transmitting electrode layer 101, an electro-optic material layer 102, a barrier layer 103, a first adhesive layer 104, and a release sheet 205. The electro-optic device 200 may also include a first substrate (not shown in FIG. 2). The substrate is located near the first light-transmitting electrode layer 101, such that the first light-transmitting electrode layer 101 is disposed between the first substrate and the electro-optic material layer 102.Remove the first release liner 205 to expose the surface of the adhesive layer 104. A second electrode layer is bonded to the exposed surface of the first adhesive layer 104 to form the type (B) electro-optic device 100 of FIG1. ​​The second electrode may be part of a more complex assembly including circuitry and a substrate, typically referred to as a backplane. Specification 10 / 18 pages 14 CN 121925591 A

[0081] In some embodiments, the electro-optic device may include more than one adhesive layer, as illustrated in device 300 of FIG3. FIG3 is a schematic side view of another example of a type (B) electro-optic device of the present invention including a barrier layer. The electro-optic device 300 of FIG3 includes a first transparent electrode layer 101, a second adhesive layer 308, an electro-optic material layer 102, a barrier layer 103, a first adhesive layer 104, and a second electrode layer 105, the second layer 105 including a plurality of pixel electrodes. The electro-optic device may also include a first substrate (not shown in FIG3). The substrate is located near the first transparent electrode layer 101, such that the first transparent electrode layer 101 is disposed between the first substrate and the electro-optic material layer 102. The barrier layer 103 is adjacent to and in contact with the electro-optic material layer 102. The electro-optic material layer 102 may include an electrophoretic medium encapsulated in a plurality of microcapsules 106. That is, each microcapsule 106 contains one or more types of charged pigment particles in a non-polar liquid. The electro-optic material layer 102 also includes an adhesive 107. The second adhesive layer 308 may contain an adhesive different from the adhesive of the first adhesive layer 104. Alternatively, the second adhesive layer 308 may contain the same adhesive as the adhesive of the first adhesive layer 104. Furthermore, the first adhesive layer 104 may contain a dopant with a first concentration, and the second adhesive layer 308 may contain a dopant with a second concentration. The concentration of the second dopant in the second adhesive layer 308 may be higher than the concentration of the first dopant in the first adhesive layer 104.

[0082] The electro-optic device 300 of FIG3 can be manufactured from the electro-optic assembly 400 shown in FIG4. The assembly is a dual release film (DRF) and includes a second release film 415, a first adhesive layer 308, an electro-optic material layer 102, a barrier layer 103, a first adhesive layer 104, and a first release sheet 205. The first release sheet 205 is removed to expose the surface of the adhesive layer 104. A second electrode layer including a plurality of pixel electrodes is bonded to the exposed surface of the first adhesive layer 104 to form an intermediate electro-optic device. Then, the first release sheet 205 is removed to expose the surface of the second adhesive layer 308. A first light-transmitting electrode is bonded to the exposed surface of the second adhesive layer 304 to form the electro-optic device 300, which is shown in FIG3.

[0083] FIG5 is a schematic side view of an example of an (A) type electro-optic device of the present invention including a barrier layer.The electro-optic device 500 of FIG5 includes a first light-transmitting electrode layer 101, a barrier layer 103, an electro-optic material layer 102, a first adhesive layer 104, and a second electrode layer 105, the second layer 105 including a plurality of pixel electrodes. The electro-optic device may also include a first substrate (not shown in FIG5). The substrate is located near the first light-transmitting electrode layer 101, such that the first light-transmitting electrode layer 101 is disposed between the first substrate and the electro-optic material layer 102. The barrier layer 103 is adjacent to and in contact with the electro-optic material layer 102. The electro-optic material layer 102 may include an electrophoretic medium encapsulated in a plurality of microcapsules 106. That is, each microcapsule 106 contains one or more types of charged pigment particles in a non-polar liquid. The electro-optic material layer 102 also includes an adhesive 107.

[0084] The electro-optic device 500 of FIG5 may be manufactured by the electro-optic component 600 shown in FIG6. The component is a front panel laminate (FPL) and includes a light-transmitting electrode layer 101, a barrier layer 103, an electro-optic material layer 102, a first adhesive layer 104, and a release liner 205. The electro-optic component 600 may also include a first substrate (not shown in FIG. 6). The substrate is located near the first light-transmitting electrode layer 101, such that the first light-transmitting electrode layer 101 is disposed between the first substrate and the electro-optic material layer 102. The first release liner 205 is removed to expose the surface of the adhesive layer 104. A second electrode layer including a plurality of pixel electrodes is bonded to the exposed surface of the first adhesive layer 104 to form the electro-optic device 500 of FIG. 5. The second electrode may be part of a more complex component including circuitry and a substrate, typically referred to as a backplane.

[0085] FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of another example of a (A) type electro-optic device of the present invention including a barrier layer. The electro-optic device 700 of Figure 7 includes a first light-transmitting electrode layer 101, a second adhesive layer 308, a barrier layer 103, an electro-optic material layer 102, a first adhesive layer 104, and a second electrode layer 105, the second layer 105 including a plurality of pixel electrodes. The electro-optic device may also include a first substrate (not shown in Figure 7). The substrate is located near the first light-transmitting electrode layer 101, such that the first light-transmitting electrode layer 101 is disposed between the first substrate and the barrier layer 103. The barrier layer 103 is adjacent to and in contact with the electro-optic material layer 102. The electro-optic material layer 102 may include an electrophoretic medium encapsulated in a plurality of microcapsules 106. That is, each microcapsule 106 contains one or more types of charged pigment particles in a non-polar liquid. The electro-optic material layer 102 also includes an adhesive 107. Instruction manual, pages 11 / 18, CN 121925591 A

[0086] The electro-optic device 700 of FIG. 7 can be manufactured by the electro-optic component 800 shown in FIG. 8. The component is a dual release film (DRF) and includes a second release film 415, a first adhesive layer 308, a barrier layer 103, an electro-optic material layer 102, a first adhesive layer 104, and a first release sheet 205.The first release liner 205 is removed to expose the surface of the adhesive layer 104. A second electrode layer including a plurality of pixel electrodes is bonded to the exposed surface of the first adhesive layer 104 to form an intermediate electro-optic device. Then, the first release liner 205 is removed to expose the surface of the second adhesive layer 308. A first light-transmitting electrode is bonded to the exposed surface of the second adhesive layer 304 to form an electro-optic device 700, which is shown in FIG. 7.

[0087] FIG. 9 is a schematic side view of another example of a (A) type electro-optic device of the present invention including a barrier layer. The electro-optic device 900 of FIG. 9 includes a first light-transmitting electrode layer 101, an electro-optic material layer 902, a first adhesive layer 104, and a second electrode layer 105, the second layer 105 including a plurality of pixel electrodes. The electro-optic device may also include a first substrate (not shown in FIG. 9). The substrate is located near the first light-transmitting electrode layer 101 such that the first light-transmitting electrode layer 101 is disposed between the first substrate and the electro-optic material layer 902. The barrier layer 103 is adjacent to and in contact with the electro-optic material layer 902. The electro-optic material layer 902 may contain an electrophoretic medium encapsulated within a plurality of microcells 920. Each microcell includes a partition wall 930. Each microcell has an opening sealed by a sealing layer 930. That is, the sealing layer 930 spans the opening of each microcell.

[0088] Figures 10A and 10B illustrate an example of a method for manufacturing a (B) type electro-optic device 100 via an electro-optic assembly 200 (front panel laminate). Steps 1 to 4 are illustrated in Figure 10A, and steps 5 to 7 are illustrated in Figure 10B. In step 1 of the method for manufacturing the electro-optic device 100, a first light-transmitting electrode layer 101 is provided. In step 2, an electro-optic material paste (not shown in Figure 10A) is coated onto the surface of the first light-transmitting electrode layer 101. An electro-optic material slurry is cured to form a structure 1010 comprising an electro-optic material layer 102 on a first electrotransparent layer 101. The electro-optic material slurry comprises a plurality of capsules 106 and an adhesive 107 in a carrier. Each of the plurality of capsules comprises a plurality of charged particles in a nonpolar liquid. Curing of the electro-optic material slurry can be achieved by heating, evaporation or via UV irradiation.

[0089] In step 3, a barrier layer 103 is formed on the surface of the electro-optic material layer 102 of structure 1010, thereby forming a structure 1020, which sequentially comprises a first transparent layer 101, an electro-optic material layer 102 and a barrier layer 103.

[0090] In step 4, a first adhesive layer 104 is formed by coating the adhesive composition 114 onto the barrier layer 103, and then the initially formed adhesive coating is cured by heat or by UV irradiation to produce a structure 1030, which includes a first light-transmitting electrode layer 101, an electro-optic material layer 102, a barrier layer 103 and a first adhesive layer 104.

[0091] In step 5 of the method for manufacturing the electro-optic device 100, a release liner is bonded to the adhesive layer 104 of the structure 1030 to form an electro-optic assembly 200, which is a front panel laminate (FPL). In step 6, the release liner 205 is removed from the electro-optic assembly 200 to expose the surface of the first adhesive layer 104. In step 7, a second electrode layer 105 is bonded to the first adhesive layer 104 to form the electro-optic device 100. The second electrode layer 105 may be part of a backplate, which may also include circuitry. That is, a backplate including the second electrode layer 105 may be used in step 7 of the method for manufacturing the electro-optic device 100.

[0092] Figures 11A and 11B illustrate an example of a method for manufacturing a (A) type electro-optic device 500 via an electro-optic assembly 600 (front panel laminate). Steps 1 to 4 are outlined in Figure 11A, and steps 5 to 7 are outlined in Figure 11B. In step 1 of the method for manufacturing the electro-optic device 400, a first light-transmitting electrode layer 101 is provided. In step 2, a barrier layer 103 is formed on the first light-transmitting layer 101 to form a structure 1110. In step 3, an electro-optic material paste (not shown in Figure 11A) is coated onto the barrier layer 103 of the structure 1110. The electro-optic material paste is cured to form a structure 1120 including an electro-optic material layer 102, a barrier layer 103, and a first light-transmitting layer 101. The electro-optic material paste contains a plurality of capsules 106 and an adhesive 107 in a carrier. The curing of the electro-optic material paste can be achieved by heating, evaporation, or via UV irradiation.

[0093] In step 4, a first adhesive layer 104 is formed by coating the adhesive composition 114 onto the electro-optic material layer 102 of structure 1120, and then curing the initially formed adhesive coating by heat or via UV irradiation to produce structure 1130, which includes a first light-transmitting electrode layer 101, a barrier layer 103, an electro-optic material layer 102, and a first adhesive layer 104, as described on pages 12 / 18 of CN 121925591 A.

[0094] In step 5 of the method for manufacturing the electro-optic device 500, a release sheet is bonded to the adhesive layer 104 of structure 1130 to form an electro-optic assembly 600, which is a front panel laminate (FPL). In step 6, the release sheet 205 is removed from the electro-optic assembly 600 to expose the surface of the first adhesive layer 104. In step 7, the second electrode layer 105 is bonded to the first adhesive layer 104 to form the electro-optic device 500. The second electrode layer 105 may be part of a backplate, which may also include circuitry. That is, a backplate including the second electrode layer 105 can be used in step 7 of the method for manufacturing the electro-optic device 500.

[0095] Figures 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, 13A, and 13B illustrate an example of a method for manufacturing a (B) type electro-optic device 300 via an electro-optic component 400, which is a dual release film (DRF). Figures 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D illustrate an example of a method for manufacturing the electro-optic component 400 (dual release film). Figures 12A and 12B illustrate a method for manufacturing the electro-optic device 300 starting from the electro-optic component 400. Figure 12A illustrates steps 1 to 3, and Figure 12B illustrates steps 4 to 6. Figure 12C illustrates step 7. Figure 12D illustrates steps 8 to 10. Figure 13A illustrates step 11, and Figure 13B illustrates step 12.

[0096] In step 1 of the method for manufacturing the electro-optic device 300, a third release sheet 1235 is provided. In step 2, an electro-optic material paste (not shown in FIG. 12A) is coated onto the surface of the third release film 1235 to form structure 1210. In step 3, a barrier layer 103 is formed on the electro-optic material layer 102 of structure 1210 to form an electro-optic material layer 1220, which sequentially includes the third release film 1235, the electro-optic material layer 102, and the barrier layer 103.

[0097] In step 4, a first release film 405 is provided. A first adhesive composition 114 is coated on the first release film 405. In step 5, the coating is cured on the first release film 405 to form a first adhesive layer 104. In step 6, a fourth release film 1245 is attached to the first adhesive layer 104 to form a first release assembly 1230.

[0098] In step 7, the fourth release sheet 1245 is removed from the first release assembly 1230, exposing the surface of the first adhesive layer 104, which is then attached to the barrier layer 103 of the electro-optic material film 1220 to form the intermediate electro-optic assembly 1240.

[0099] In step 8, a second release film 415 is provided. In step 9, a second adhesive composition 1218 is coated and cured on the surface of the second release film 415 to form a second adhesive layer 308 (structure 1250) on the second release sheet 415.

[0100] In step 10, the third release sheet of the intermediate electro-optic assembly 1240 is removed, exposing the surface of the electro-optic material layer 102. The exposed surface of the electro-optic material layer 102 is connected to the second adhesive layer 308 of the structure 1250 to form a dual release film 400, the dual release film 400 sequentially including a second release sheet 415, a second adhesive layer 308, an electro-optic material layer 102, a barrier layer 102, a first adhesive layer 104, and a first release sheet 405.

[0101] In step 11, the first release sheet of the dual release film 400 is removed, exposing the surface of the first adhesive layer 104. The exposed surface of the first adhesive layer is connected to the second electrode layer 105, the second electrode layer 105 including a plurality of pixel electrodes to form an intermediate electro-optic device 1310.

[0102] Finally, in step 12, the second release sheet 415 is removed from the intermediate electro-optic device 1310, exposing the surface of the second adhesive layer 308. The exposed surface of the second adhesive layer 308 is connected to the first light-transmitting electrode 101 to form the electro-optic device 300.

[0103] Figures 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 15A, and 15B illustrate an example of a method for manufacturing a (A) type electro-optic device 700 via an electro-optic component 800, which is a dual release film (DRF). Figures 14A, 14B, 14C, and 14D illustrate an example of a method for manufacturing the electro-optic component 800 (dual release film). Figures 15A and 15B illustrate a method for manufacturing the electro-optic device 700 starting from the electro-optic component 800. Figure 14A illustrates steps 1 to 3, and Figure 14B illustrates steps 4 to 6. Figure 14C illustrates step 7. Figure 14D illustrates steps 8 to 10. Figure 15A outlines step 11, and Figure 15B outlines step 12.

[0104] In step 1 of the method for manufacturing the electro-optic device 700, a third release sheet 1235 is provided. In step 2, an electro-optic material paste (not shown in Figure 12A) is coated onto the surface of the third release sheet 1235 to form a structure 1210. In step 3, a barrier layer 103 is formed on the electro-optic material layer 102 of the structure 1210 to form an electro-optic material film 1220, which sequentially includes the third release film 1235, the electro-optic material layer 102, and the barrier layer 103.

[0105] In step 4, a second release film 415 is provided. A second adhesive composition 1218 is coated onto the second release sheet 415. In step 5, the coating is cured on the second release sheet 415 to form a second adhesive layer 308. In step 6, the fourth release sheet 1245 is adhered to the second adhesive layer 308 to form the second release structure 1430.

[0106] In step 7, the fourth release sheet 1245 is removed from the second release structure 1430, exposing the surface of the second adhesive layer 308, which is then attached to the barrier layer 103 of the electro-optic material film 1220 to form the intermediate electro-optic structure 1440.

[0107] In step 8, a first release film 405 is provided. In step 9, a second adhesive composition 114 is coated and cured on the surface of the first release film 405 to form the first adhesive layer 104 (structure 1450) on the first release sheet 405.

[0108] In step 10, the third release sheet of the intermediate electro-optic structure 1440 is removed, exposing the surface of the electro-optic material layer 102.The exposed surface of the electro-optic material layer 102 is connected to the first adhesive layer 104 of the structure 1450 to form a dual release sheet 800, which sequentially includes a second release sheet 415, a second adhesive layer 308, a barrier layer 103, an electro-optic material layer 102, a first adhesive layer 104, and a first release sheet 405.

[0109] In step 11, the first release sheet of the dual release sheet 800 is removed, exposing the surface of the first adhesive layer 104. The exposed surface of the first adhesive layer is connected to the second electrode layer 105 to form an intermediate electro-optic field 1510, which includes a plurality of pixel electrodes.

[0110] Finally, in step 12, the second release sheet 415 is removed from the intermediate electro-optic field 1510, exposing the surface of the second adhesive layer 308. The exposed surface of the second adhesive layer 308 is connected to the first light-transmitting electrode 101 to form an electro-optic device 700.

[0111] Adhesive compositions for laminated structures are generally known. They are used to bond different layers of a laminated structure together. Such adhesive compositions may contain, for example, hot-melt adhesives and / or wet-apply adhesives, such as polyurethane-based adhesives. Typically, electro-optic components are laminated structures and include adhesive layers. The adhesive layers of an electro-optic component must meet certain requirements related to their mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties.

[0112] There are certain issues with the selection of laminating adhesives for electro-optic displays. Because the laminating adhesive is typically located between electrodes that apply the electric field required to change the electrical state of the electro-optic medium, the conductivity of the adhesive can significantly affect the electro-optic performance of the display.

[0113] The volume resistivity of the laminating adhesive affects the total voltage drop across the electro-optic medium, which is a key factor affecting the medium's performance. The voltage drop across the electro-optic medium is equal to the voltage drop across the electrodes minus the voltage drop across the laminating adhesive. On the one hand, if the resistivity of the adhesive layer is too high, a significant voltage drop occurs within the adhesive layer, requiring a higher voltage between the electrodes to generate an operating voltage drop at the electro-optic medium. Increasing the voltage across the electrodes in this way is undesirable because it increases power consumption and may require more complex and expensive control circuitry to generate and switch the increased voltage. On the other hand, if the resistivity of the adhesive layer is too low, undesirable crosstalk exists between adjacent electrodes (i.e., active matrix electrodes), or the device may short-circuit directly. Moreover, because the volume resistivity of most materials decreases rapidly with increasing temperature, if the volume resistivity of the adhesive is too low, the performance of the display will vary significantly with temperatures significantly above (or below) room temperature.

[0114] For these reasons, there is an optimal range of resistivity values ​​for laminated adhesives used in most electro-optic media, which varies with the resistivity of the electro-optic medium. The volume resistivity of encapsulated electrophoretic media is typically around 10¹⁰ Ω·cm, which is generally on the same order of magnitude as the resistivity of other electro-optic media.Therefore, for good electro-optic performance, the volume resistivity of the laminated adhesive is preferably in the range of about 10⁸ Ω·cm to about 10¹² Ω·cm, or about 10⁹ Ω·cm to about 10¹¹ Ω·cm, at the operating temperature of the display at about 20°C. Preferably, the volume resistivity of the laminated adhesive also varies with temperature, similar to that of the electro-optic medium itself. The values ​​correspond to measurements taken after one week of adaptation at 25°C and 50% relative humidity. Specification 14 / 18 pages 18 CN 121925591 A

[0115] One method to improve the electro-optic performance of an electro-optic device is to add an ionic dopant, such as an inorganic or organic salt, including an ionic liquid, to the adhesive composition. For example, to improve the performance of commercially available polyurethane adhesive compositions, the composition may be doped with salts or other materials. Non-limiting examples of such dopants are tetrabutylammonium hexafluorophosphate, butylmethylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate, and other ionic liquids.

[0116] Examples of commercial electro-optic devices include devices comprising two adhesive layers. A typical example is a display comprising a first electrode layer, a second adhesive layer, an electro-optic material layer, a first adhesive layer, and a second electrode layer. The dopant concentration in the second adhesive layer is typically higher than that in the first adhesive layer. Due to the proximity of the first adhesive layer to the pixel electrode, the high conductivity of the first adhesive layer negatively impacts the display resolution due to increased haloing. However, dopant molecules may diffuse from the second adhesive layer through various layers of the display to the first adhesive layer, which degrades image quality. The presence of a barrier layer in the device of the present invention, adjacent to the electro-optic material, prevents such dopant diffusion and improves image quality. Furthermore, in the absence of a barrier layer, dopant and other small molecules may diffuse toward the pixel electrodes and components of the device's circuitry, degrading these components and reducing the device's lifespan.

[0117] In one embodiment of the present invention (electro-optic device of type (A)), the barrier layer is located between the first transparent electrode layer and the electro-optic material layer. In such a device, the barrier layer must be transparent. In this context, the ability to construct a barrier layer with a small average thickness is crucial. Sputtering or vapor deposition methods can meet this criterion.

[0118] The barrier layer can be formed via room temperature radio frequency (RF) sputtering. This method deposits the material used in the barrier layer onto the desired surface. The advantage of this method lies in its flexibility in optimizing the surface morphology and surface roughness, as well as its ability to form ultrathin barrier layers. Method parameters, such as RF power, sputtering pressure, and material composition, can be varied to achieve the desired thickness and uniformity.

[0119] The barrier layer of the present invention can be formed using materials selected from metal oxides, metal nitrides, metals, and combinations thereof. Non-limiting examples of metal oxides include silicon dioxide, aluminum oxide, titanium oxide, and indium-tungsten oxide.Non-limiting examples of metal nitrides include aluminum nitride, titanium nitride, and silicon nitride. Non-limiting examples of metals include iron, titanium, germanium, vanadium, tungsten, silicon, silver, nickel, niobium, chromium, gold, and mixtures thereof.

[0120] The light-transmitting barrier layer may have an average thickness of 5 nm to 200 nm, 10 nm to 100 nm, or 10 nm to 50 nm. In particular, in the case of a light-transmitting barrier layer containing a metal, the barrier layer may have an average thickness of 5 nm to 30 nm, or 10 nm to 30 nm.

[0121] In another embodiment of the invention (type (B) electro-optic device), the barrier layer is located between the second electrode layer and the electro-optic material layer. In such a device, the barrier layer need not be light-transmitting, but a thin layer is preferred so that the device can be operated without significantly increasing the potential. In this case, the barrier layer may have an average thickness of 5 nm to 1 μm, 8 nm to 500 nm, 10 nm to 150 nm, 12 nm to 100 nm, or 12 nm to 50 nm.

[0122] These and other aspects of the invention will be further understood by considering the following embodiments, which are intended to illustrate certain specific embodiments of the invention but are not intended to limit its scope as defined in the claims. Embodiments

[0123] A control device without a barrier layer and an inventive device including a silicon dioxide barrier layer were prepared and evaluated. Specifically, a control device comprising a first transparent electrode layer, an electro-optic material layer, and a second electrode layer was prepared. The first transparent electrode layer comprises polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and indium tin oxide (ITO). The electro-optic material layer comprises a plurality of microcapsules in an adhesive. The second electrode layer comprises indium tin oxide (ITO).

[0124] Another device similar to the control device was also constructed, but a silicon dioxide layer was provided between the first transparent electrode layer and the electro-optic material layer.

[0125] Embodiment 1 of the Invention

[0126] Preparation of the device of the present invention. An electro-optic material slurry was coated onto the first transparent (PET / ITO) electrode and partially dried at 55°C for 10 minutes. The electro-optic material slurry contained (a) microcapsules and a polyurethane binder, the microcapsules containing white and black pigment particles with opposite charges in a hydrocarbon liquid. The assembly was further dried at 25°C for 48 hours. After drying, silicon dioxide was deposited onto the electro-optic material layer by RF sputtering in a vacuum to form a silicon dioxide barrier layer with an average thickness of 10 nm. Finally, indium tin oxide was sputtered (via RF sputtering) onto the silicon dioxide barrier layer to form a second electrode layer of 100 nm.

[0127] Comparative Example 2

[0128] The control device was prepared similarly to that in Example 1, but without the step of depositing a barrier layer.

[0129] The electrodes of the device of Example 1 were connected to a voltage source, and their conductivity was measured by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) at various temperatures using a Solatron device (1296 / SI1260). The measurement process was repeated for the device of Example 2 (comparison). The electrochemical impedance spectra of both devices were analyzed using equivalent circuit elements and the corresponding Nyquist model. The Nyquist curves are shown in Figure 16 (from the control device of Comparative Example 2) and Figure 17 (from the inventive device of Example 2). The equivalent circuit elements used for analysis are provided in Figure 17, where R is the resistance, and Q and α are the parameters of the constant phase elements of Nyquist model equations 1 to 4, as shown below.

[0130] Model Equations

[0131]

[0132] Ztot of Equation 1 represents the total impedance of the sample. A set of sub-circuit parameters is fitted by minimizing the error function S (from Equation 2). Equation 3 represents the measured dataset, where Z(ω) is the calculated fitted response. Equation 4 represents the calculated response. The ionic conductivity (σ) of the sample is calculated by Equation 4, where R is the bulk resistance of the material, l is the thickness of the material through which the current flows, and A is the cross-sectional area of ​​the test sample material.

[0133] The model determines two different paths through which the current propagates through the sample. These two mechanisms are represented in regions A and B of the graphs in Figures 16 and 17. The calculated conductivity of the two devices at different temperatures is provided in Tables 1 and 2 below.

[0134] Table 1; Conductivity of the device of Example 2 (comparative) in regions A and B at different temperatures. Specification 16 / 18 pages 20 CN 121925591 A

[0135]

[0136] Table 2; Conductivity of the device of Example 1 (the present invention) in regions A and B at different temperatures.

[0137]

[0138] The data in Tables 1 and 2 show that the device of Example 1 (the present invention) has a generally lower conductivity and a non-diffusion control region on its Nyquist curve.

[0139] The electro-optic performance of the two devices was evaluated by applying a square wave with an amplitude of 30 V and a pulse period of 250 microseconds for 50 seconds. During the waveform application, the state of the color display was determined by measuring the brightness of the state (L*). The white and black states at the end of the waveform application are provided in Table 3.

[0140] Table 3. Electro-optic performance of the devices of Examples 1 and 2.

[0141]

[0142] The data in Table 3 confirm that the device of the present invention (Example 1) exhibits a better white state (higher L*) at all temperatures, but especially at low temperatures.

[0143] Furthermore, during the application of the square wave, the fluctuation of the white state brightness (L*) was measured as the difference between the white state baseline and the white state peak.The average white-state brightness fluctuation of the device in Example 2 (comparison) was found to be 8 L* units, while the average white-state brightness fluctuation of the device in Example 1 (the present invention) was 2 L*. This means that the “flickering” of the device is much more noticeable in the comparison device during the transition between different states. That is, the device of the present invention performs significantly better in terms of flickering.

[0144] The value reported by the colorimeter measurement is the reflectance value L*. L* reflects the optical switching performance of the electro-optic device’s effectiveness (where L* adopts the usual CIE definition):

[0145] L*=116(R / R0) 1 / 3 -16, Specification 17 / 18 pages 21 CN 121925591 A

[0146] where R is reflectance and R0 is the standard reflectance value.Instruction Manual 18 / 18 Page 22 CN 121925591 A Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Instruction Manual Appendix 1 / 19 Page 23 CN 121925591 A Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6 Instruction Manual Appendix 2 / 19 Page 24 CN 121925591 A Figure 7 Figure 8 Instruction Manual Appendix 3 / 19 Page 25 CN 121925591 A Figure 9 Instruction Manual Appendix 4 / 19 Page 26 CN 121925591 A Figure 10A Instruction Manual Appendix 5 / 19 Page 27 CN 121925591 A Figure 10B Instruction Manual Appendix 6 / 19 Page 28 CN 121925591 A Figure 11A Instruction Manual Appendix 7 / 19 Page 29 CN 121925591 A Figure 11B Instruction Manual Appendix 8 / 19 Page 30 CN 121925591 A Figure 12A Figure 12B The following are figures from the instruction manual: Figure 12C, Figure 12A, Figure 12C, Figure 12D, Figure 13A, Figure 14A, Figure 14B, Figure 14C, Figure 14D, Figure 15A, Figure 15A, Figure 15B, Figure 15B, Figure 15A, Figure 15B, Figure 15A, Figure 15C, Figure 15A, Figure 15B, Figure 15A, Figure 15A, Figure 15B, Figure 15A, Figure 15A, Figure 15A, Figure 15B, Figure 15C, Figure 14A, Figure 14A, Figure 15C, Figure 14A, Figure 14C, Figure 14A, Figure 14B, Figure 15C, Figure 14A, Figure 15C, Figure 15D, Figure 15D, Figure 15C, Figure 15D, Figure 15B, Figure 15C, Figure 15D, Figure 15D, Figure 15C, Figure 15D, Figure 15D, Figure 15B, Figure 15A, Figure 15C, Figure 15D ... Figure 16 Figure 17 Appendix to the Instruction Manual Page 18 / 19 40 CN 121925591 A Figure 18 Appendix to the Instruction Manual Page 19 / 19 41 CN 121925591 A.

Claims

1. An electro-optical device, which is a type (A) or (B) electro-optical device, The (A) type electro-optic device comprises, in sequence: First transparent electrode layer; A barrier layer, wherein the barrier layer is transparent to light; Electro-optic material layer; First adhesive layer; and Second electrode layer; The (B) type electro-optical device comprises, in sequence: First transparent electrode layer; Electro-optic material layer; Barrier layer; First adhesive layer; and Second electrode layer; The electro-optic material layer includes an electrophoretic medium containing charged pigment particles in a non-polar liquid, the first adhesive layer contains a first dopant having a first concentration, and the second electrode layer includes a plurality of pixel electrodes.

2. The electro-optical device according to claim 1, wherein, The electrophoretic medium is encapsulated in multiple microcapsules or multiple microunits, each microunit including a partition wall, an opening and a sealing layer, the sealing layer spanning the opening of each microunit.

3. The electro-optical device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein, The electrophoretic medium is encapsulated in multiple microcapsules, and the electro-optic device further includes a second adhesive layer disposed between the first electrode layer and the barrier layer in the (A) type electro-optic device, or the second adhesive layer disposed between the barrier layer and the second electrode layer in the (B) type electro-optic device, the second adhesive layer containing a second dopant having a second concentration.

4. The electro-optical device according to claim 3, wherein, The first dopant may be the same as or different from the second dopant.

5. The electro-optical device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The first concentration of the first dopant in the first adhesive layer is 50 to 1000 ppm by weight of the first adhesive layer.

6. The electro-optical device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein, The first concentration of the first dopant in the first adhesive layer is lower than the second concentration of the second dopant in the second adhesive layer.

7. The electro-optical device according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein, The second concentration of the second dopant in the second adhesive layer is 1,000 to 5,000 ppm based on the weight of the first adhesive layer.

8. The electro-optical device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, The first dopant is an ionic liquid.

9. The electro-optical device according to any one of claims 3 to 8, wherein, The second dopant is an ionic liquid.

10. The electro-optical device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, The first adhesive layer comprises polyurethane.

11. The electro-optical device according to any one of claims 3 to 10, wherein, The second adhesive layer comprises polyurethane.

12. The electro-optical device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein, The barrier layer comprises a material selected from silicon dioxide, aluminum oxide, aluminum nitride, titanium nitride, titanium oxide, silicon nitride, indium tungsten oxide, metals, and mixtures thereof.

13. The electro-optical device of claim 12, wherein, The metal is iron, titanium, germanium, vanadium, tungsten, silicon, silver, nickel, niobium, chromium, gold, and mixtures thereof.

14. The electro-optical device of claim 13, wherein, The average thickness of the barrier layer is 5 to 30 nm.

15. The electro-optical device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein, The average thickness of the barrier layer is 5 nm to 1 micrometer.

16. The electro-optical device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein, The average thickness of the barrier layer is 5 to 200 nm.

17. The electro-optical device according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein, The barrier layer is formed by sputtering.

18. The electro-optical device according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein, The barrier layer is formed via chemical vapor deposition.

19. A method for manufacturing an electro-optical component, comprising the following steps: A first electrode layer having a surface is provided, the first electrode layer including a light-transmitting electrode; An electro-optic material paste is coated onto the surface of the first electrode layer. The electro-optic material paste comprises multiple microcapsules and an adhesive, each of the multiple microcapsules containing charged particles in a non-polar liquid. The adhesive is cured to form an electro-optic material layer on the first electrode layer; A barrier layer is formed on the electro-optic material by sputtering a barrier material or by chemical vapor deposition of a barrier material; The first adhesive composition is applied to the barrier layer; The adhesive composition is cured to produce a first adhesive layer; The first release sheet is attached to the first adhesive layer.

20. A method for manufacturing an electro-optical device, the method comprising the following steps: Provide a third release film; An electro-optic material paste is coated onto the third release sheet. The paste contains multiple microcapsules and an adhesive, each of the multiple microcapsules containing charged particles in a non-polar liquid. The electro-optic material slurry is cured to form an electro-optic material layer on the third release sheet. An electro-optic material film is formed on the electro-optic material layer by sputtering a barrier material or by chemical vapor deposition of a barrier material, comprising a barrier layer, an electro-optic material layer and a third release film in sequence. Provide a second release sheet; The second adhesive composition is applied onto the second release sheet; The second adhesive composition is cured to produce a second adhesive layer; The fourth release sheet is bonded to the first adhesive layer to form a second release structure, which sequentially includes the fourth release sheet, the second adhesive layer and the second release sheet; Remove the fourth release sheet from the second release structure to expose the surface of the second adhesive layer of the second release structure; The exposed surface of the second adhesive layer is attached to the barrier layer of the electro-optic material film to form an intermediate electro-optic structure, which sequentially includes a second release sheet, a second adhesive layer, a barrier layer, an electro-optic material layer, and a third release sheet. Provide the first release sheet; The first adhesive composition is applied to the first release sheet; The first adhesive composition is cured to produce a first adhesive layer to form a first release structure including the first adhesive layer and the first release sheet; Remove the third release sheet from the intermediate electro-optic structure to expose the surface of the electro-optic material layer; The exposed surface of the electro-optic material layer is attached to the first adhesive layer of the first release structure to form a double release sheet; Provide a second electrode; Remove the first release sheet of the dual release sheet to expose the surface of the first adhesive layer; The exposed surface of the first adhesive layer is connected to the second electrode to form an intermediate electro-optical material; Provide a first light-transmitting electrode layer; Remove the second release sheet of the intermediate electro-optic material to expose the surface of the second adhesive layer; The exposed surface of the second adhesive layer is connected to the first light-transmitting electrode.

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