Method for manufacturing semiconductor film, method for manufacturing light detection element, and method for manufacturing image sensor
Patent Information
- Application Number
- PCT/JP2024/029231
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-08-30
- Filing Date
- 2024-08-19
- Publication Date
- 2025-03-06
Smart Images

Figure JPOXMLDOC01-APPB-C000001 
Figure JPOXMLDOC01-APPB-C000002 
Figure JPOXMLDOC01-APPB-C000003
Abstract
Description
Semiconductor film manufacturing method, photodetector manufacturing method, and image sensor manufacturing method
[0001] The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a semiconductor film containing semiconductor quantum dots, a photodetector element, and an image sensor.
[0002] In recent years, photodetectors capable of detecting light in the infrared region have been attracting attention in the fields of smartphones, surveillance cameras, in-vehicle cameras, and the like.
[0003] Conventionally, silicon photodiodes, which use silicon wafers as the material for the photoelectric conversion layer, have been used as photodetectors for image sensors, etc. However, silicon photodiodes have low sensitivity in the infrared region with wavelengths of 900 nm or more.
[0004] Furthermore, InGaAs-based semiconductor materials, which are known as near-infrared light receiving elements, have the problem of requiring very costly processes, such as epitaxial growth and substrate bonding processes, to achieve high quantum efficiency, and have therefore not become widely used.
[0005] In recent years, the use of quantum dots in photodetectors has also been considered.
[0006] Patent Document 1 describes the use of PbS quantum dots in the photoelectric conversion layer of a photodetector element.
[0007] Patent Document 2 describes the use of InSb quantum dots in the photoelectric conversion layer of a photodetector element.
[0008] JP 2020-150251 A U.S. Pat. No. 1,581,501
[0009] In recent years, with the demand for improved performance of image sensors and the like, further improvements are being demanded in the characteristics required of the photodetector elements used therein. For example, one of the characteristics required of a photodetector element is that it has a high external quantum efficiency for light of the target wavelength to be detected by the photodetector element, and that the external quantum efficiency of the photodetector element has little variation within its surface. By increasing the external quantum efficiency of the photodetector element, it is possible to improve the light detection accuracy of the photodetector element. Furthermore, by reducing the variation within the surface of the external quantum efficiency of the photodetector element, it is possible to suppress the generation of noise and the like.
[0010] Furthermore, it is preferable for the dark current of the photodetector element to be small. By reducing the dark current of the photodetector element, a higher signal-to-noise ratio (S / N ratio) can be obtained in the image sensor. Dark current is the current that flows when no light is irradiated.
[0011] The present inventors have conducted further studies on a photodetector element using semiconductor quantum dots containing In and a Group 15 element in a photoelectric conversion layer, and have found that there is room for further improvement in these characteristics.
[0012] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a semiconductor film, a photodetector element, and an image sensor that have high external quantum efficiency, excellent in-plane uniformity of the external quantum efficiency, and reduced dark current, and methods for manufacturing the same.
[0013] The present invention provides the following:
[0014] <1> A method for manufacturing a semiconductor film including an aggregate of semiconductor quantum dots containing In and a Group 15 element and ligands coordinated to the semiconductor quantum dots, comprising the steps of: applying a dispersion liquid containing semiconductor quantum dots containing In and a Group 15 element, a first ligand, and a solvent to a substrate to form a film of the aggregate of semiconductor quantum dots; and applying a ligand solution containing a second ligand and a solvent to the film of the aggregate of semiconductor quantum dots to coordinate the second ligand to the semiconductor quantum dots, wherein one of the first ligand and the second ligand is a ligand having a thiol group, and the other is a ligand having a halogen element. <2> The method for manufacturing a semiconductor film according to <1>, wherein the first ligand is a ligand having a thiol group, and the second ligand is a ligand having a halogen element. <3> The method for manufacturing a semiconductor film according to <1> or <2>, wherein the ligand containing a halogen element is a ligand containing an iodine element. <4> The method for manufacturing a semiconductor film according to any one of <1> to <3>, wherein the ligand containing a halogen element contains an In element. <5> The method for manufacturing a semiconductor film according to any one of <1> to <4>, wherein the Group 15 element contained in the semiconductor quantum dots contains an Sb element. <6> A method for manufacturing a photodetector, comprising the method for manufacturing a semiconductor film according to any one of <1> to <5>. <7> A method for manufacturing an image sensor, comprising the method for manufacturing a semiconductor film according to any one of <1> to <5>.
[0015] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a semiconductor film, a photodetector, and an image sensor that have high external quantum efficiency, excellent in-plane uniformity of the external quantum efficiency, and reduced dark current, as well as a method for manufacturing the same.
[0016] FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a photodetector element.
[0017] The present invention will be described in detail below. In this specification, the term "to" is used to mean that the numerical values before and after it are included as the lower and upper limits. In the description of groups (atomic groups) in this specification, a notation that does not specify whether they are substituted or unsubstituted includes both groups (atomic groups) that have no substituents and groups (atomic groups) that have substituents. For example, the term "alkyl group" includes not only alkyl groups that have no substituents (unsubstituted alkyl groups) but also alkyl groups that have substituents (substituted alkyl groups).
[0018] <Method for manufacturing a semiconductor film> The method for manufacturing a semiconductor film of the present invention is a method for manufacturing a semiconductor film including an aggregate of semiconductor quantum dots containing In and a Group 15 element, and ligands that coordinate to the semiconductor quantum dots, and includes the steps of: applying a dispersion liquid containing semiconductor quantum dots containing In and a Group 15 element, a first ligand, and a solvent onto a substrate to form a film of the aggregate of semiconductor quantum dots; and applying a ligand solution containing a second ligand and a solvent to the film of the aggregate of semiconductor quantum dots to coordinate the second ligand to the semiconductor quantum dots, wherein one of the first ligand and the second ligand is a ligand having a thiol group, and the other is a ligand that contains a halogen element.
[0019] According to the present invention, by using a ligand having a thiol group as one of the first ligand and the second ligand, and using a ligand containing a halogen element as the other, and manufacturing a semiconductor film through the above-mentioned process, it is presumed that it is possible to maintain an appropriate distance between semiconductor quantum dots and reduce surface defects of the semiconductor quantum dots, and therefore it is possible to manufacture a semiconductor film with high external quantum efficiency, excellent in-plane uniformity of external quantum efficiency, and suppressed dark current.
[0020] In the method for producing a semiconductor film of the present invention, it is preferable that the first ligand is a ligand having a thiol group and the second ligand is a ligand containing a halogen element. According to this embodiment, a higher ligand coverage can be obtained, and a semiconductor film with better in-plane uniformity of external quantum efficiency can be produced.
[0021] The semiconductor quantum dots preferably contain In and Sb. That is, the Group 15 element contained in the semiconductor quantum dots preferably contains Sb. For the semiconductor film, the molar ratio of Sb to halogen elements (moles of Sb / moles of halogen elements) is preferably 0.30 to 3.20, more preferably 0.50 to 3.00. The lower limit of the molar ratio of Sb to halogen elements is preferably 0.60 or more, more preferably 1.00 or more. The upper limit of the molar ratio of Sb to halogen elements is preferably 2.90 or less, more preferably 2.80 or less.
[0022] In this specification, the "molar ratio of Sb element to halogen element" for a semiconductor film can be calculated by measuring the element composition ratio of the semiconductor film by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.
[0023] The semiconductor film obtained by the present invention can be used in a photodetector or an image sensor. More specifically, the semiconductor film can be used as a photoelectric conversion layer in a photodetector or an image sensor. Therefore, the semiconductor film obtained by the present invention is preferably used for the photoelectric conversion layer in a photodetector or an image sensor.
[0024] Since the semiconductor film obtained by the present invention has excellent sensitivity to light of wavelengths in the infrared region, an image sensor using the semiconductor film obtained by the present invention as a photoelectric conversion layer can be particularly preferably used as an infrared sensor. Therefore, the semiconductor film obtained by the present invention is preferably used as a photoelectric conversion layer for an infrared sensor.
[0025] The thickness of the semiconductor film is not particularly limited, but is preferably 10 to 1000 nm from the viewpoint of obtaining high electrical conductivity. The lower limit of the thickness is preferably 20 nm or more, and more preferably 30 nm or more. The upper limit of the thickness is preferably 600 nm or less, more preferably 550 nm or less, even more preferably 500 nm or less, and particularly preferably 450 nm or less.
[0026] The semiconductor film has an aggregate of semiconductor quantum dots containing In and a Group 15 element. The Group 15 element in the semiconductor quantum dots preferably contains Sb. The aggregate of semiconductor quantum dots is a large number (for example, 1 μm 2 In this specification, the term "semiconductor" refers to a semiconductor having a resistivity of 10 -2 Ωcm or more 10 8 This refers to a substance with a resistivity of Ωcm or less.
[0027] Examples of semiconductor quantum dot materials that constitute semiconductor quantum dots include compound semiconductors containing In and a Group 15 element, and preferably compound semiconductors containing In and Sb. A compound semiconductor is a semiconductor composed of two or more elements. Therefore, in this specification, a "compound semiconductor containing In and a Group 15 element" refers to a compound semiconductor that contains In and a Group 15 element as elements that constitute the compound semiconductor.
[0028] In the semiconductor quantum dots, the ratio of the number of In elements to the number of Group 15 elements is preferably 1.1 or more, more preferably 1.5 or more, and even more preferably 2.0 or more. The upper limit is preferably 3.0 or less.
[0029] In this specification, the ratio of the number of In elements to the number of Group 15 elements in semiconductor quantum dots can be calculated by measuring the elemental composition ratio of the semiconductor quantum dots by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. For example, the ratio can be calculated by forming a film using a dispersion of semiconductor quantum dots and measuring the elemental composition ratio of the semiconductor quantum dots in this film by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.
[0030] Examples of means for making the ratio of the number of In elements to the number of Group 15 elements in semiconductor quantum dots 1.1 or more include: (1) a method of adjusting the mixing ratio of compound A containing In elements and compound B containing Sb elements when synthesizing semiconductor quantum dots (for example, making the molar ratio of In elements to Sb elements 2.1 or more); (2) a method of controlling the amount of reducing agent (dioctyl ether of lithium triethylborohydride, etc.) added and the injection rate when synthesizing semiconductor quantum dots; and (3) a method of controlling the temperature profile, such as the temperature reached in the reaction, the holding time, and the heating rate.
[0031] The semiconductor quantum dots preferably contain In and Sb. The semiconductor quantum dots may further contain elements other than In and Sb. Examples of the further elements include Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Zn, Cd, Hg, B, Al, Ga, N, P, As, and Bi, with Zn, Al, Ga, P, As, and Bi being preferred.
[0032] Specific examples of semiconductor quantum dots include InSb and InSbAs.
[0033] The crystal structure of the semiconductor quantum dots is not particularly limited. Various crystal structures can be adopted depending on the type and composition ratio of elements constituting the semiconductor quantum dots, but a cubic or hexagonal crystal structure is preferred because it is easy to appropriately control the band gap as a semiconductor and to achieve high crystallinity. When the proportion of pure InSb in the particles as a whole is high, a zinc blende structure is preferred because it is easy to achieve high crystallinity. The crystal structure of the semiconductor quantum dots can be measured by X-ray diffraction or electron diffraction.
[0034] The band gap of the semiconductor quantum dots is preferably 1.2 eV or less, more preferably 1.0 eV or less. The lower limit of the band gap of the semiconductor quantum dots is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.3 eV or more, more preferably 0.5 eV or more.
[0035] The average particle size of the semiconductor quantum dots is preferably 3 to 20 nm. The upper limit of the average particle size of the semiconductor quantum dots is preferably 15 nm or less, and more preferably 10 nm or less. If the average particle size of the semiconductor quantum dots is within the above range, a photodetector element can be obtained that has a high external quantum efficiency for light with wavelengths in the infrared region. Note that, in this specification, the value of the average particle size of the semiconductor quantum dots is the average value of the particle sizes of 10 arbitrarily selected semiconductor quantum dots. The particle size of the semiconductor quantum dots can be measured using a transmission electron microscope.
[0036] The semiconductor film includes ligands that coordinate with the semiconductor quantum dots, including a ligand having a thiol group and a ligand containing a halogen element.
[0037] The halogen-containing ligand is preferably an inorganic ligand containing a halogen element, which can be easily coordinated to the semiconductor quantum dots and can suppress the occurrence of surface defects.
[0038] The halogen-containing ligand preferably contains In. In particular, when the semiconductor quantum dots have InSb as the host crystal, the halogen-containing ligand containing In is thought to be more likely to coordinate to the Sb site of the semiconductor quantum dots, thereby further suppressing the occurrence of surface defects.
[0039] Examples of the halogen element contained in the halogen-containing ligand include fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine, with iodine being preferred.
[0040] Specific examples of the ligand containing a halogen element include zinc iodide, zinc bromide, zinc chloride, indium iodide, indium bromide, indium chloride, cadmium iodide, cadmium bromide, cadmium chloride, gallium iodide, gallium bromide, and gallium chloride, with indium iodide being preferred.
[0041] In addition, in the case of a ligand containing a halogen element, a halogen ion may dissociate from the ligand and be coordinated to the surface of the semiconductor quantum dot. Furthermore, a portion of the ligand other than the halogen element may also be coordinated to the surface of the semiconductor quantum dot. To give a specific example, in the case of indium iodide, indium iodide may be coordinated to the surface of the semiconductor quantum dot, or iodine ions or indium ions may be coordinated to the surface of the semiconductor quantum dot.
[0042] The ligand having a thiol group may be a monodentate organic ligand or a polydentate organic ligand containing two or more coordinating moieties. In the case of a polydentate ligand, at least one of the multiple coordinating moieties is a thiol group. In the case of a polydentate ligand, the ligand may further have a coordinating moiety other than a thiol group, such as an amino group, a hydroxy group, a carboxy group, a sulfo group, a phospho group, or a phosphonic acid group.
[0043] Specific examples of the monodentate ligand include 4-methylbenzenethiol, 3,5-dimethylbenzenethiol, 4-chlorobenzenethiol, and 4-methoxybenzenethiol.
[0044] The polydentate ligand may be a ligand represented by any one of formulas (A) to (C).
[0045] In formula (A), X A1 and X A2 each independently represents a thiol group, an amino group, a hydroxy group, a carboxy group, a sulfo group, a phospho group, or a phosphonic acid group; X A1 and X A2 at least one of L is a thiol group; A1 represents a hydrocarbon group.
[0046] In formula (B), X B1 and X B2 each independently represents a thiol group, an amino group, a hydroxy group, a carboxy group, a sulfo group, a phospho group, or a phosphonic acid group; X B1 and X B2 at least one of X is a thiol group; B3 represents S, O or NH; LB1 and L B2 each independently represents a hydrocarbon group.
[0047] In formula (C), X C1 ~X C3 each independently represents a thiol group, an amino group, a hydroxy group, a carboxy group, a sulfo group, a phospho group, or a phosphonic acid group; X C1 ~X C3 at least one of X is a thiol group; C4 represents N, and L C1 ~L C3 each independently represents a hydrocarbon group.
[0048] X A1 , X A2 , X B1 , X B2 , X C1 , X C2 and X C3 The amino group represented by is -NH 2 The amino group is not limited to the above, and also includes a substituted amino group and a cyclic amino group. Examples of the substituted amino group include a monoalkylamino group, a dialkylamino group, a monoarylamino group, a diarylamino group, and an alkylarylamino group. The amino group represented by these groups includes -NH 2 , a monoalkylamino group, or a dialkylamino group is preferred, and —NH 2 It is more preferable that:
[0049] L A1 , L B1 , L B2 , L C1 , L C2 and L C3 The hydrocarbon group represented by is preferably an aliphatic hydrocarbon group or a group containing an aromatic ring, and more preferably an aliphatic hydrocarbon group. The aliphatic hydrocarbon group may be a saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon group or an unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon group. The hydrocarbon group preferably has 1 to 20 carbon atoms. The upper limit of the carbon number is preferably 10 or less, more preferably 6 or less, and even more preferably 3 or less. Specific examples of the hydrocarbon group include an alkylene group, an alkenylene group, an alkynylene group, and an arylene group.
[0050] Examples of the alkylene group include a linear alkylene group, a branched alkylene group, and a cyclic alkylene group, and are preferably a linear alkylene group or a branched alkylene group, and more preferably a linear alkylene group. Examples of the alkenylene group include a linear alkenylene group, a branched alkenylene group, and a cyclic alkenylene group, and are preferably a linear alkenylene group or a branched alkenylene group, and more preferably a linear alkenylene group. Examples of the alkynylene group include a linear alkynylene group and a branched alkynylene group, and are preferably a linear alkynylene group. The arylene group may be monocyclic or polycyclic. A monocyclic arylene group is preferred. Specific examples of the arylene group include a phenylene group and a naphthylene group, and are preferably a phenylene group. The alkylene group, alkenylene group, alkynylene group, and arylene group may further have a substituent. The substituent is preferably a group having 1 to 10 atoms. Specific preferred examples of the group having 1 to 10 atoms include alkyl groups having 1 to 3 carbon atoms [methyl, ethyl, propyl, and isopropyl], alkenyl groups having 2 to 3 carbon atoms [ethenyl and propenyl], alkynyl groups having 2 to 4 carbon atoms [ethynyl, propynyl, etc.], cyclopropyl groups, alkoxy groups having 1 to 2 carbon atoms [methoxy and ethoxy], acyl groups having 2 to 3 carbon atoms [acetyl and propionyl], alkoxycarbonyl groups having 2 to 3 carbon atoms [methoxycarbonyl and ethoxycarbonyl], acyloxy groups having 2 carbon atoms [acetyloxy], Examples of such an alkyl group include an acylamino group (acetylamino group), a hydroxyalkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms (hydroxymethyl group, hydroxyethyl group, hydroxypropyl group), an aldehyde group, a hydroxy group, a carboxy group, a sulfo group, a phospho group, a carbamoyl group, a cyano group, an isocyanate group, a thiol group, a nitro group, a nitroxy group, an isothiocyanate group, a cyanate group, a thiocyanate group, an acetoxy group, an acetamido group, a formyl group, a formyloxy group, a formamido group, a sulfamino group, a sulfino group, a sulfamoyl group, a phosphono group, an acetyl group, a halogen atom, and an alkali metal atom.
[0051] In formula (A), X A1and X A2 Is L A1 Preferably, they are separated by 1 to 10 atoms, more preferably by 1 to 6 atoms, even more preferably by 1 to 4 atoms, even more preferably by 1 to 3 atoms, and particularly preferably by 1 or 2 atoms.
[0052] In formula (B), X B1 and X B3 Is L B1 Preferably, they are separated by 1 to 10 atoms, more preferably 1 to 6 atoms, even more preferably 1 to 4 atoms, still more preferably 1 to 3 atoms, and particularly preferably 1 or 2 atoms. B2 and X B3 Is L B2 Preferably, they are separated by 1 to 10 atoms, more preferably by 1 to 6 atoms, even more preferably by 1 to 4 atoms, even more preferably by 1 to 3 atoms, and particularly preferably by 1 or 2 atoms.
[0053] In formula (C), X C1 and X C4 Is L C1 Preferably, they are separated by 1 to 10 atoms, more preferably 1 to 6 atoms, even more preferably 1 to 4 atoms, still more preferably 1 to 3 atoms, and particularly preferably 1 or 2 atoms. C2 and X C4 Is L C2 Preferably, they are separated by 1 to 10 atoms, more preferably 1 to 6 atoms, even more preferably 1 to 4 atoms, still more preferably 1 to 3 atoms, and particularly preferably 1 or 2 atoms. C3 and X C4 Is L C3Preferably, they are separated by 1 to 10 atoms, more preferably by 1 to 6 atoms, even more preferably by 1 to 4 atoms, even more preferably by 1 to 3 atoms, and particularly preferably by 1 or 2 atoms.
[0054] In addition, X A1 and X A2 Is L A1 The term "separated by 1 to 10 atoms" means that X A1 and X A2 This means that the number of atoms constituting the molecular chain with the shortest distance connecting X is 1 to 10. For example, in the case of the following formula (A1), X A1 and X A2 and are separated by two atoms, and in the case of the following formula (A2) and formula (A3), X A1 and X A2 The numbers in the following structural formulas represent X A1 and X A2 It represents the order of the arrangement of atoms that make up the shortest molecular chain connecting the
[0055] To explain this by taking a specific compound, 3-mercaptopropionic acid is X A1 The site corresponding to X is a carboxyl group. A2 The site corresponding to is a thiol group, and L A1 In 3-mercaptopropionic acid, the site corresponding to X is an ethylene group (compound with the following structure). A1 (carboxy group) and X A2 (thiol group) and L A1 (ethylene group) separates them by two atoms.
[0056] X B1 and X B3 Is L B1 are separated by 1 to 10 atoms, B2 and X B3 Is L B2 are separated by 1 to 10 atoms, C1 and X C4 Is L C1 are separated by 1 to 10 atoms,C2 and X C4 Is L C2 are separated by 1 to 10 atoms, C3 and X C4 Is L C3 The meaning of being separated by 1 to 10 atoms is the same as above.
[0057] Specific examples of the polydentate ligand include 3-mercaptopropionic acid, thioglycolic acid, 2-aminoethanethiol, 2-mercaptoethanol, 4-mercaptobutanoic acid, 3-mercaptopropanol, 1-thioglycerol, dimercaprol, 1-mercapto-2-butanol, 1-mercapto-2-pentanol, 3-mercapto-1-propanol, 2,3-dimercapto-1-propanol, 2-[(2-aminoethyl)amino]ethanethiol, bis(2-mercaptoethyl)amine, 2-aminoethane-1-thiol, 1,2-benzenedithiol, 1,3-benzenedithiol, 1,4-benzenedithiol, 2-mercaptobenzoic acid, 3-mercaptobenzoic acid, 4-mercaptobenzoic acid, and derivatives thereof.
[0058] The total content of the semiconductor quantum dots and the ligands in the semiconductor film is preferably 80% by mass or more, more preferably 90% by mass or more, and even more preferably 95% by mass or more.
[0059] Each step of the method for producing a semiconductor film of the present invention will be described below.
[0060] In the step of forming a film of an aggregate of semiconductor quantum dots, a dispersion liquid containing semiconductor quantum dots, a first ligand, and a solvent is applied onto a substrate to form a film of an aggregate of semiconductor quantum dots.
[0061] The semiconductor quantum dots contained in the dispersion include semiconductor quantum dots containing In and a Group 15 element. Examples of such semiconductor quantum dots include the semiconductor quantum dots described above. The content of the semiconductor quantum dots in the dispersion is preferably 10 to 500 mg / mL. The lower limit is preferably 50 mg / mL or more, and more preferably 80 mg / mL or more. The upper limit is preferably 300 mg / mL or less, and more preferably 200 mg / mL or less.
[0062] The first ligand contained in the dispersion liquid may be the above-mentioned ligand having a thiol group or a ligand containing a halogen element. The first ligand is preferably a ligand having a thiol group.
[0063] The dispersion liquid may contain a ligand that functions as a ligand to coordinate with the semiconductor quantum dots and has a molecular structure that easily causes steric hindrance, thereby also serving as a dispersant to disperse the semiconductor quantum dots in the solvent. Examples of such ligands include ligands having at least 6 or more carbon atoms in the main chain, and preferably ligands having 10 or more carbon atoms in the main chain. The ligand may be either a saturated compound or an unsaturated compound. Specific examples include decanoic acid, lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, behenic acid, oleic acid, erucic acid, oleylamine, stearylamine, 1-aminodecane, dodecylamine, aniline, dodecanethiol, 1,2-hexadecanethiol, tributylphosphine, trihexylphosphine, trioctylphosphine, tributylphosphine oxide, trioctylphosphine oxide, and cetrimonium bromide.
[0064] The content of the ligand in the dispersion is preferably 0.2 mol / L to 3.0 mol / L, and more preferably 0.2 mol / L to 0.5 mol / L.
[0065] The solvent contained in the dispersion is not particularly limited, but is preferably a solvent that hardly dissolves the semiconductor quantum dots and easily dissolves the ligands. Organic solvents are preferred. Specific examples include alkanes (n-hexane, n-octane, etc.), alkenes (octadecene, etc.), benzene, toluene, etc. The solvent contained in the dispersion of the present invention may be a single solvent or a mixed solvent of two or more solvents.
[0066] The content of the solvent in the dispersion is preferably from 50 to 99% by mass, more preferably from 70 to 99% by mass, and even more preferably from 90 to 98% by mass.
[0067] The dispersion can be produced by coordinating the first ligand to the semiconductor quantum dots in a solvent.
[0068] There are no particular limitations on the shape, structure, size, etc. of the substrate to which the dispersion is applied, and these can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. The substrate structure may be a single-layer structure or a multilayer structure. For example, the substrate may be made of an inorganic material such as silicon, glass, or YSZ (Yttrium-Stabilized Zirconia), a resin, a resin composite material, or the like. Furthermore, electrodes, insulating films, etc. may be formed on the substrate. In this case, the dispersion is also applied to the electrodes and insulating films on the substrate.
[0069] The method for applying the dispersion onto the substrate is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include spin coating, dipping, inkjet printing, dispenser printing, screen printing, letterpress printing, intaglio printing, and spray coating.
[0070] The thickness of the film of the semiconductor quantum dot aggregate formed by applying the dispersion is preferably 3 nm or more, more preferably 10 nm or more, and even more preferably 20 nm or more, and the upper limit is preferably 200 nm or less, more preferably 150 nm or less, and even more preferably 100 nm or less.
[0071] In the step of coordinating the second ligand to the semiconductor quantum dots, a ligand solution containing the second ligand and a solvent is applied to the film of the semiconductor quantum dot aggregate obtained in the above step, thereby coordinating the second ligand to the semiconductor quantum dots.
[0072] Examples of the second ligand contained in the ligand solution include the above-mentioned ligand having a thiol group and a ligand containing a halogen element. The second ligand is preferably a ligand containing a halogen element. The second ligand may contain a ligand containing a halogen element and a ligand having a thiol group. The ligand solution may contain only one type of second ligand, or may contain two or more types.
[0073] The solvent contained in the ligand solution is preferably selected appropriately depending on the type of ligand contained in the ligand solution, and is preferably a solvent that easily dissolves the ligand. Furthermore, the solvent contained in the ligand solution is preferably an organic solvent with a high dielectric constant. Specific examples include ethanol, acetone, methanol, acetonitrile, dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, butanol, propanol, etc. Furthermore, the solvent contained in the ligand solution is preferably a solvent that is unlikely to remain in the semiconductor film to be formed. From the viewpoint of ease of drying and ease of removal by washing, low-boiling point alcohols, ketones, and nitriles are preferred, and methanol, ethanol, acetone, or acetonitrile are more preferred. The solvent contained in the ligand solution is preferably one that is immiscible with the solvent contained in the dispersion. As a preferred solvent combination, when the solvent contained in the dispersion is an alkane such as hexane or octane, or toluene, the solvent contained in the ligand solution is preferably a polar solvent such as methanol or acetone.
[0074] A rinsing step (rinsing process) may be performed in which the film after application of the ligand solution is brought into contact with a rinse solution. By performing the rinsing process, excess ligands contained in the semiconductor film and ligands detached from the semiconductor quantum dots can be removed. The rinsing process may also be performed multiple times using two or more rinse solutions with different polarities (dielectric constants). For example, it is preferable to first rinse using a rinse solution with a high dielectric constant (also referred to as a first rinse solution), and then rinse using a rinse solution with a lower dielectric constant than the first rinse solution (also referred to as a second rinse solution). The dielectric constant of the first rinse solution is preferably 15 to 50, more preferably 20 to 45, and even more preferably 25 to 40. The dielectric constant of the second rinse solution is preferably 1 to 15, more preferably 1 to 10, and even more preferably 1 to 5.
[0075] The method for manufacturing a semiconductor film of the present invention may alternately repeat the step of forming a film of an aggregate of semiconductor quantum dots and the step of coordinating the second ligands to the semiconductor quantum dots multiple times.
[0076] The method for producing a semiconductor film of the present invention may include a drying step. By performing the drying step, residual solvent in the semiconductor film can be removed. The drying time is preferably 1 to 100 hours, more preferably 1 to 50 hours, and even more preferably 5 to 30 hours. The drying temperature is preferably 10 to 100°C, more preferably 20 to 90°C, and even more preferably 20 to 60°C. The drying step may be performed in an oxygen-containing atmosphere or a nitrogen atmosphere. The amount of residual solvent in the semiconductor film is preferably 5% by mass or less, more preferably 3% by mass or less, and even more preferably 1% by mass or less, based on the total amount of the semiconductor film. The lower limit can be, for example, 0.0001% by mass. The semiconductor film may contain water, which is preferably 5% by mass or less, more preferably 3% by mass or less, and even more preferably 1% by mass or less, based on the total amount of the semiconductor film. The lower limit can be, for example, 0.0001% by mass. During the semiconductor film production process, the semiconductor quantum dots and ligands may be oxidized.
[0077] <Method for manufacturing photodetector> The photodetector of the present invention includes the method for manufacturing a semiconductor film of the present invention described above. Specifically, it is preferable to form a photoelectric conversion layer of the photodetector using the method for manufacturing a semiconductor film of the present invention described above.
[0078] The types of photodetector elements include photoconductor-type photodetectors and photodiode-type photodetectors, of which photodiode-type photodetectors are preferred because they tend to provide a high signal-to-noise ratio (SN ratio).
[0079] The semiconductor film obtained by the present invention has excellent sensitivity to light having a wavelength in the infrared region, and therefore, a photodetector using this semiconductor film as a photoelectric conversion layer is preferably used as a photodetector for detecting light having a wavelength in the infrared region. That is, the photodetector is preferably used as an infrared light detecting element.
[0080] The infrared wavelength light is preferably light having a wavelength of more than 700 nm, more preferably light having a wavelength of 800 nm or more, and even more preferably light having a wavelength of 900 nm or more. The infrared wavelength light is preferably light having a wavelength of 3000 nm or less, more preferably light having a wavelength of 2000 nm or less, and even more preferably light having a wavelength of 1600 nm or less.
[0081] The photodetector may be a photodetector that simultaneously detects light with a wavelength in the infrared region and light with a wavelength in the visible region (preferably light with a wavelength in the range of 400 to 700 nm).
[0082] FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of a photodetector element. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating one embodiment of a photodiode-type photodetector element. Note that arrows in the figure indicate incident light on the photodetector element. The photodetector element 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a second electrode 12, a first electrode 11 provided opposite the second electrode 12, a photoelectric conversion layer 13 provided between the second electrode 12 and the first electrode 11, an electron transport layer 21 provided between the first electrode 11 and the photoelectric conversion layer 13, and a hole transport layer 22 provided between the second electrode 12 and the photoelectric conversion layer 13. The photodetector element 1 shown in FIG. 1 is used so that light is incident from above the first electrode 11. Note that, although not shown, a transparent substrate may be disposed on the light-incident surface of the first electrode 11. Examples of transparent substrates include glass substrates, resin substrates, and ceramic substrates.
[0083] (First Electrode) The first electrode 11 is preferably a transparent electrode formed of a conductive material that is substantially transparent to the wavelength of light to be detected by the photodetector. In this specification, "substantially transparent" means that the light transmittance is 50% or more, preferably 60% or more, and more preferably 80% or more. Examples of materials for the first electrode 11 include conductive metal oxides. Specific examples include tin oxide, zinc oxide, indium oxide, indium tungsten oxide, indium zinc oxide (IZO), indium tin oxide (ITO), and fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO).
[0084] The film thickness of the first electrode 11 is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.01 to 100 μm, more preferably 0.01 to 10 μm, and even more preferably 0.01 to 1 μm. The film thickness of each layer can be measured by observing a cross section of the photodetector element 1 using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) or the like.
[0085] (Electron Transport Layer) The electron transport layer 21 is a layer having a function of transporting electrons generated in the photoelectric conversion layer 13 to the electrode. The electron transport layer is also called a hole blocking layer. The electron transport layer is formed of an electron transport material that can exhibit this function.
[0086] Examples of electron transport materials include fullerene compounds such as [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butylic acid methyl ester (PC61BM), perylene compounds such as perylene tetracarboxydiimide, tetracyanoquinodimethane, titanium oxide, tin oxide, zinc oxide, indium oxide, indium tungsten oxide, indium zinc oxide, indium tin oxide, and fluorine-doped tin oxide. The electron transport material may be in the form of particles. The electron transport material is preferably zinc oxide. Furthermore, from the viewpoints of reducing residual organic components and increasing the contact area with the photoelectric conversion layer, the zinc oxide is preferably in the form of particles (zinc oxide particles).
[0087] The zinc oxide may be zinc oxide doped with metal atoms other than Zn. Hereinafter, zinc oxide doped with metal atoms other than Zn will also be referred to as doped zinc oxide.
[0088] The metal atoms other than Zn in the doped zinc oxide are preferably monovalent to trivalent metal atoms, more preferably at least one selected from Li, Mg, Al, and Ga, further preferably Li, Mg, Al, or Ga, and particularly preferably Li or Mg.
[0089] In the doped zinc oxide, the ratio of metal atoms other than Zn to the total of Zn and metal atoms other than Zn is preferably 1 atomic % or more, more preferably 2 atomic % or more, and even more preferably 4 atomic % or more. From the viewpoint of suppressing an increase in crystal defects, the upper limit is preferably 20 atomic % or less, more preferably 15 atomic % or less, and even more preferably 12 atomic % or less. The ratio of metal atoms other than Zn in the doped zinc oxide can be measured by a high-frequency inductively coupled plasma (ICP) method.
[0090] The average particle size of the zinc oxide particles is preferably 2 to 30 nm. The upper limit of the average particle size of the zinc oxide particles is preferably 20 nm or less, and more preferably 15 nm or less. When the average particle size of the zinc oxide particles is within the above range, a film having a large contact area with the photoelectric conversion layer and high flatness is likely to be obtained. In this specification, the average particle size of the zinc oxide particles is the average value of the particle sizes of 10 arbitrarily selected particles. The particle size of the zinc oxide particles can be measured using a transmission electron microscope.
[0091] The electron transport layer may be a single layer film or a laminated film of two or more layers. The thickness of the electron transport layer is preferably 10 to 1000 nm. The upper limit is preferably 800 nm or less. The lower limit is preferably 20 nm or more, and more preferably 50 nm or more. The thickness of the electron transport layer is preferably 0.05 to 10 times, more preferably 0.1 to 5 times, and even more preferably 0.2 to 2 times the thickness of the photoelectric conversion layer 13.
[0092] The electron transport layer may be subjected to ultraviolet ozone treatment. In particular, when the electron transport layer is a layer made of nanoparticles, ultraviolet ozone treatment is desirable. By performing ultraviolet ozone treatment, the wettability of the quantum dot dispersion liquid to the electron transport layer can be improved, and residual organic matter in the electron transport layer can be decomposed or removed, resulting in high device performance. The wavelength of the ultraviolet light to be irradiated can be selected between 100 and 400 nm. In particular, because the above-mentioned effects can be easily obtained and excessive damage to the film can be avoided, it is preferable for the peak intensity to be between 200 and 300 nm, and more preferably between 240 and 270 nm. There are no particular restrictions on the ultraviolet light irradiation intensity, but because the above-mentioned effects can be easily obtained and excessive damage to the film can be avoided, it is preferable for the peak intensity to be between 1 and 100 mW / cm. 2 is preferably 10 to 50 mW / cm 2 The treatment time is not particularly limited, but for the same reason, it is preferably 1 to 60 minutes, more preferably 1 to 20 minutes, and even more preferably 3 to 15 minutes.
[0093] (Photoelectric Conversion Layer) The photoelectric conversion layer 13 can be manufactured by the semiconductor film manufacturing method of the present invention described above. The thickness of the photoelectric conversion layer 13 is preferably 10 to 1000 nm. The lower limit of the thickness is preferably 20 nm or more, and more preferably 30 nm or more. The upper limit of the thickness is preferably 600 nm or less, more preferably 550 nm or less, even more preferably 500 nm or less, and particularly preferably 450 nm or less. The refractive index of the photoelectric conversion layer 13 for light of the target wavelength to be detected by the photodetector element can be 1.5 to 5.0.
[0094] (Hole Transport Layer) The hole transport layer 22 is a layer having a function of transporting holes generated in the photoelectric conversion layer 13 to the electrode. The hole transport layer is also called an electron blocking layer.
[0095] The hole transport layer 22 is formed of a hole transport material that can perform this function. Examples of hole transport materials include PEDOT:PSS (a composite of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) and poly(4-styrenesulfonic acid)), PTB7 (poly{4,8-bis[(2-ethylhexyl)oxy]benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b']dithiophene-2,6-diyl-lt-alt-3-fluoro-2-[(2-ethylhexyl)carbonyl]thieno) and thieno[4,8-bis[(2-ethylhexyl)oxy]benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b']dithiophene-2,6-diyl-lt-alt-3-fluoro-2-[(2-ethylhexyl)carbonyl]thieno)). [3,4-b]thiophene-4,6-diyl}), PTB7-Th (poly([2,6'-4,8-di(5-ethylhexylthienyl)benzo[1,2-b;3,3-b]dithiophene]{3-fluoro-2[(2-ethylhexyl-1)carbonyl]thieno[3,4-b]thiophenediyl})), poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl), poly(3-n-octyl oxythiophene), poly(9,9'-dioctyl-fluorene-co-bithiophene), poly(3,3'''-didodecyl-quaterthiophene), poly(3,6-dioctylthieno[3,2-b]thiophene), poly(2,5-bis(3-decylthiophen-2-yl)thieno[3,2-b]thiophene), poly(3,4-didecylthiophene-co-thieno[3,2-b]thiophene), poly(3,6-dioctylthieno[3,2-b]thiophene-co-thieno[3,2-b]thiophene), poly(3,6-dioctylthieno[3,2-b]thiophene-co-thiophene), poly(3,6-dioctylthieno[3,2-b]thiophene-co-bithiophene), PC71BM ([6,6]-phenyl-C71-methyl butyrate). Alternatively, organic hole transport materials such as those described in paragraphs 0209 to 0212 of JP-A-2001-291534 can be used. Quantum dots can also be used as the hole transport material. Examples of quantum dot materials that constitute quantum dots include nanoparticles (particles with a size of 0.5 nm or more and less than 100 nm) of common semiconductor crystals (a) Group IV semiconductors, b) Group IV-IV, III-V, or II-VI compound semiconductors, and c) compound semiconductors formed from a combination of three or more of Group II, III, IV, V, and VI elements).Specifically, PbS, PbSe, PbSeS, InN, Ge, InAs, InGaAs, CuInS, CuInSe, CuInGaSe, InSb, HgTe, HgCdTe, and Ag. 2 S, Ag 2 Se, Ag 2 Examples of such semiconductor materials include Te, SnS, SnSe, SnTe, Si, InP, etc. Ligands may be coordinated to the surface of the quantum dots.
[0096] The thickness of the hole transport layer 22 is preferably 5 to 100 nm. The lower limit is preferably 10 nm or more. The upper limit is preferably 50 nm or less, and more preferably 30 nm or less.
[0097] (Second Electrode) The second electrode 12 is preferably composed of a metal material containing at least one metal atom selected from Ag, Au, Pt, Ir, Pd, Cu, Pb, Sn, Zn, Ti, W, Mo, Ta, Ge, Ni, Al, Cr, and In. By using such a metal material for the second electrode 12, a photodetector element with high external quantum efficiency and reduced dark current can be obtained. The second electrode 12 can also be made of the above-mentioned conductive metal oxides, carbon materials, conductive polymers, and the like. The carbon material may be any conductive material, such as fullerene, carbon nanotube, graphite, or graphene.
[0098] The work function of the second electrode 12 is preferably 4.6 eV or more, more preferably 4.8 to 5.7 eV, and even more preferably 4.9 to 5.3 eV, for the reasons that this enhances the electron blocking property of the hole transport layer and makes it easy to collect holes generated in the device.
[0099] The film thickness of the second electrode 12 is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.01 to 100 μm, more preferably 0.01 to 10 μm, and even more preferably 0.01 to 1 μm.
[0100] (Charge Extraction Layer) Although not shown, the photodetector element may have a charge extraction layer between the second electrode 12 and the hole transport layer 22. By having the charge extraction layer, high external quantum efficiency can be obtained at a low applied voltage.
[0101] Materials for forming the charge extraction layer include metal oxides and organic semiconductors, with metal oxides being preferred. Metal oxides include molybdenum oxide, titanium oxide, vanadium oxide, chromium oxide, cobalt oxide, nickel oxide, copper oxide, zirconium oxide, molybdenum oxide, silver oxide, tantalum oxide, and tungsten oxide, with molybdenum oxide being preferred. Organic semiconductors include polythiophene compounds, with the materials mentioned above being specific examples of polythiophene compounds. The charge extraction layer may be a single-layer film or a laminated film of two or more layers.
[0102] The thickness of the charge extraction layer is preferably 1 to 100 nm, with the lower limit being preferably 5 nm or more and the upper limit being preferably 50 nm or less.
[0103] (Blocking Layer) Although not shown, the photodetector element may have a blocking layer between the first electrode 11 and the electron transport layer 21. The blocking layer has the function of preventing reverse current. The blocking layer is also called a short-circuit prevention layer. Examples of materials that form the blocking layer include silicon oxide, magnesium oxide, aluminum oxide, calcium carbonate, cesium carbonate, polyvinyl alcohol, polyurethane, titanium oxide, tin oxide, zinc oxide, niobium oxide, and tungsten oxide. The blocking layer may be a single-layer film or a laminated film of two or more layers. The film thickness of the blocking layer is preferably 5 to 100 nm. The lower limit is preferably 10 nm or more. The upper limit is preferably 50 nm or less, and more preferably 30 nm or less.
[0104] In the photodetector element, the wavelength λ of the light to be detected by the photodetector element and the optical path length L of the light of the wavelength λ from the surface of the second electrode 12 on the photoelectric conversion layer 13 side to the surface of the photoelectric conversion layer 13 on the first electrode 11 side are λ and preferably satisfy the relationship of the following formula (1-1), and more preferably satisfy the relationship of the following formula (1-2): λWhen these relationships are satisfied, the phases of the light incident from the first electrode 11 side (incident light) and the light reflected from the surface of the second electrode 12 (reflected light) can be aligned in the photoelectric conversion layer 13, and as a result, the light is reinforced by the optical interference effect, thereby achieving a higher external quantum efficiency.
[0105] 0.05+m / 2≦L λ / λ≦0.35+m / 2 ... (1-1) 0.10+m / 2≦L λ / λ≦0.30+m / 2 ... (1-2)
[0106] In the above formula, λ is the wavelength of the light to be detected by the light detection element, and L λ is the optical path length of light of wavelength λ from the surface of the second electrode 12 on the photoelectric conversion layer 13 side to the surface of the photoelectric conversion layer 13 on the first electrode 11 side, and m is an integer of 0 or more.
[0107] m is preferably an integer of 0 to 4, more preferably an integer of 0 to 3, and even more preferably an integer of 0 to 2. According to this embodiment, the transport properties of charges such as holes and electrons are good, and the external quantum efficiency of the photodetector can be further increased.
[0108] Here, the optical path length means the product of the physical thickness of the material through which light passes and the refractive index. Taking the photoelectric conversion layer 13 as an example, the thickness of the photoelectric conversion layer is d 1 , the wavelength λ of the photoelectric conversion layer 1 The refractive index of the light is N 1 When the wavelength λ transmitted through the photoelectric conversion layer 13 is 1 The optical path length of the light is N 1 ×d 1 When the photoelectric conversion layer 13 or the hole transport layer 22 is composed of a laminated film of two or more layers, or when an intermediate layer is present between the hole transport layer 22 and the second electrode 12, the integrated value of the optical path lengths of the respective layers is the above-mentioned optical path length L λ is.
[0109] <Image Sensor> The method for manufacturing an image sensor of the present invention includes the method for manufacturing a semiconductor film of the present invention described above. Specifically, it is preferable to form a photoelectric conversion layer of an image sensor using the method for manufacturing a semiconductor film of the present invention described above.
[0110] Since the semiconductor film obtained by the present invention has excellent sensitivity to light with wavelengths in the infrared region, an image sensor using this semiconductor film as a photoelectric conversion layer can be particularly preferably used as an infrared sensor. Furthermore, the image sensor can be preferably used to sense light with wavelengths of 900 to 2000 nm, and more preferably used to sense light with wavelengths of 900 to 1600 nm.
[0111] The configuration of the image sensor is not particularly limited as long as it has a photodetector element and functions as an image sensor. Examples of the photodetector element include those described above.
[0112] The image sensor may include an infrared-transmitting filter layer, which preferably has low transmittance for light in the visible wavelength range, and more preferably has an average transmittance of 10% or less, even more preferably 7.5% or less, and particularly preferably 5% or less for light in the wavelength range of 400 to 650 nm.
[0113] The infrared transmission filter layer may be formed of a resin film containing a colorant. Examples of the colorant include chromatic colorants such as red, green, blue, yellow, purple, and orange, as well as black colorants. The colorant contained in the infrared transmission filter layer preferably comprises a combination of two or more chromatic colorants to form a black color, or a black colorant. Examples of combinations of chromatic colorants when a black color is formed by combining two or more chromatic colorants include the following (C1) to (C7): (C1) A configuration containing a red colorant and a blue colorant; (C2) A configuration containing a red colorant, a blue colorant, and a yellow colorant; (C3) A configuration containing a red colorant, a blue colorant, a yellow colorant, and a purple colorant; (C4) A configuration containing a red colorant, a blue colorant, a yellow colorant, a purple colorant, and a green colorant; and (C5) A configuration containing a red colorant, a blue colorant, a yellow colorant, and a green colorant. (C6) An embodiment containing a red color material, a blue color material, and a green color material. (C7) An embodiment containing a yellow color material and a purple color material.
[0114] The chromatic colorant may be a pigment or a dye. It may contain both a pigment and a dye. The black colorant is preferably an organic black colorant. Examples of organic black colorants include bisbenzofuranone compounds, azomethine compounds, perylene compounds, and azo compounds.
[0115] The infrared transmission filter layer may further contain an infrared absorber. By incorporating an infrared absorber into the infrared transmission filter layer, the wavelength of light to be transmitted can be shifted to a longer wavelength side. Examples of the infrared absorber include pyrrolopyrrole compounds, cyanine compounds, squarylium compounds, phthalocyanine compounds, naphthalocyanine compounds, quaterrylene compounds, merocyanine compounds, croconium compounds, oxonol compounds, iminium compounds, dithiol compounds, triarylmethane compounds, pyrromethene compounds, azomethine compounds, anthraquinone compounds, dibenzofuranone compounds, dithiolene metal complexes, metal oxides, and metal borides.
[0116] The spectral characteristics of the infrared transmission filter layer can be appropriately selected depending on the application of the image sensor. Examples include filter layers satisfying any one of the following spectral characteristics (1) to (5): (1): A filter layer in which the maximum light transmittance in the thickness direction of the film in the wavelength range of 400 to 750 nm is 20% or less (preferably 15% or less, more preferably 10% or less), and the minimum light transmittance in the thickness direction of the film in the wavelength range of 900 to 1500 nm is 70% or more (preferably 75% or more, more preferably 80% or more). (2): A filter layer in which the maximum light transmittance in the thickness direction of the film in the wavelength range of 400 to 830 nm is 20% or less (preferably 15% or less, more preferably 10% or less), and the minimum light transmittance in the thickness direction of the film in the wavelength range of 1000 to 1500 nm is 70% or more (preferably 75% or more, more preferably 80% or more). (3): A filter layer in which the maximum light transmittance in the thickness direction of the film in the wavelength range of 400 to 950 nm is 20% or less (preferably 15% or less, more preferably 10% or less), and the minimum light transmittance in the thickness direction of the film in the wavelength range of 1100 to 1500 nm is 70% or more (preferably 75% or more, more preferably 80% or more). (4): A filter layer in which the maximum light transmittance in the thickness direction of the film in the wavelength range of 400 to 1100 nm is 20% or less (preferably 15% or less, more preferably 10% or less), and the minimum light transmittance in the wavelength range of 1400 to 1500 nm is 70% or more (preferably 75% or more, more preferably 80% or more). (5) A filter layer having a maximum light transmittance in the thickness direction of the film in the wavelength range of 400 to 1300 nm of 20% or less (preferably 15% or less, more preferably 10% or less), and a minimum light transmittance in the wavelength range of 1600 to 2000 nm of 70% or more (preferably 75% or more, more preferably 80% or more).Further, as the infrared transmission filter, films described in JP 2013-077009 A, JP 2014-130173 A, JP 2014-130338 A, WO 2015 / 166779 A, WO 2016 / 178346 A, WO 2016 / 190162 A, WO 2018 / 016232 A, JP 2016-177079 A, JP 2014-130332 A, and WO 2016 / 027798 can be used. The infrared transmission filter may be a combination of two or more filters, or a dual bandpass filter that transmits two or more specific wavelength regions with one filter may be used.
[0117] The image sensor may include an infrared shielding filter for the purpose of improving various performances such as noise reduction, etc. Specific examples of the infrared shielding filter include the filters described in International Publication No. 2016 / 186050, International Publication No. 2016 / 035695, Japanese Patent No. 6248945, International Publication No. 2019 / 021767, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2017-067963, and Japanese Patent No. 6506529.
[0118] The image sensor may include a dielectric multilayer film. Examples of the dielectric multilayer film include a multilayer film in which a high refractive index dielectric thin film (high refractive index material layer) and a low refractive index dielectric thin film (low refractive index material layer) are alternately stacked. The number of dielectric thin films stacked in the dielectric multilayer film is not particularly limited, but is preferably 2 to 100 layers, more preferably 4 to 60 layers, and even more preferably 6 to 40 layers. A material with a refractive index of 1.7 to 2.5 is preferred as a material used to form the high refractive index material layer. Specific examples include Sb 2 O 3 , Sb 2 S 3 , Bi 2 O 3 , CeO 2 , CeF 3 , HfO 2 , La 2 O 3 , Nd 2 O 3 , Pr 6 O 11 , Sc 2 O3 , SiO, Ta 2 O 5 , TiO 2 , TlCl, Y 2 O 3 , ZnSe, ZnS, ZrO 2 The material used to form the low refractive index material layer is preferably a material having a refractive index of 1.2 to 1.6. 2 O 3 , BiF 3 , CaF 2 , LaF 3 , PbCl 2 , PbF 2 , LiF, MgF 2 , MgO, NdF 3 , SiO 2 , Si 2 O 3 , NaF, ThO 2 , ThF 4 , Na 3 AlF 6 and the like. The method for forming the dielectric multilayer film is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include vacuum deposition methods such as ion plating and ion beam, physical vapor deposition methods (PVD methods) such as sputtering, and chemical vapor deposition methods (CVD methods). The thickness of each of the high refractive index material layer and the low refractive index material layer is preferably 0.1λ to 0.5λ, where λ (nm) is the wavelength of the light to be blocked. Specific examples of the dielectric multilayer film that can be used include the films described in JP 2014-130344 A and JP 2018-010296 A.
[0119] The dielectric multilayer film preferably has a transmission wavelength band in the infrared region (preferably a wavelength region exceeding 700 nm, more preferably a wavelength region exceeding 800 nm, and even more preferably a wavelength region exceeding 900 nm). The maximum transmittance in the transmission wavelength band is preferably 70% or more, more preferably 80% or more, and even more preferably 90% or more. The maximum transmittance in the light-shielding wavelength band is preferably 20% or less, more preferably 10% or less, and even more preferably 5% or less. The average transmittance in the transmission wavelength band is preferably 60% or more, more preferably 70% or more, and even more preferably 80% or more. The wavelength range of the transmission wavelength band is determined by dividing the wavelength showing the maximum transmittance by the center wavelength λ t1 In this case, the central wavelength λ t1 ±100 nm, and the central wavelength λ t1 More preferably, the central wavelength λ t1 It is more preferably ±50 nm.
[0120] The dielectric multilayer film may have only one transmission wavelength band (preferably a transmission wavelength band with a maximum transmittance of 90% or more), or may have a plurality of transmission wavelength bands.
[0121] The image sensor may include a color separation filter layer. Examples of the color separation filter layer include a filter layer containing colored pixels. Examples of the colored pixels include red, green, blue, yellow, cyan, and magenta pixels. The color separation filter layer may include colored pixels of two or more colors, or may include only one color. The filter layer may be appropriately selected depending on the application and purpose. For example, the filter described in International Publication No. 2019 / 039172 may be used.
[0122] Furthermore, when the color separation layer includes color pixels of two or more colors, the color pixels of each color may be adjacent to each other, and a partition wall may be provided between each color pixel. The material of the partition wall is not particularly limited. Examples include organic materials such as siloxane resin and fluororesin, and inorganic particles such as silica particles. The partition wall may also be made of a metal such as tungsten or aluminum.
[0123] When the image sensor includes an infrared transmission filter layer and a color separation layer, it is preferable that the color separation layer is provided on a different optical path from the infrared transmission filter layer. It is also preferable that the infrared transmission filter layer and the color separation layer are arranged two-dimensionally. The two-dimensional arrangement of the infrared transmission filter layer and the color separation layer means that at least a portion of each layer exists on the same plane.
[0124] The image sensor may include an intermediate layer such as a planarization layer, a base layer, or an adhesion layer, an anti-reflection film, and a lens. The anti-reflection film may be, for example, a film made from a composition described in International Publication No. 2019 / 017280. The lens may be, for example, a structure described in International Publication No. 2018 / 092600.
[0125] The present invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to examples. The materials, amounts used, ratios, processing details, processing procedures, etc. shown in the following examples can be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the specific examples shown below.
[0126] [Preparation of Zinc Oxide Particle Dispersion] 1.5 mmol of zinc acetate dihydrate and 15 mL of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) were weighed into a flask and stirred to prepare a zinc acetate solution. A TMACl solution was prepared by dissolving 4 mmol of tetramethylammonium chloride (TMACl) in 4 mL of methanol, and a KOH solution was prepared by dissolving 4 mmol of potassium hydroxide (KOH) in 4 mL of methanol. While vigorously stirring the TMACl solution, the KOH solution was slowly added. After stirring for 30 minutes, the insoluble components were removed through a 0.45 μm filter to obtain a tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) solution. 6 mL of the TMAH solution was added dropwise to the zinc acetate solution in the flask at a rate of 6 mL / min. After holding for 1 hour, the reaction solution was recovered. An excess amount of acetone was added to the reaction solution, which was then centrifuged at 10,000 rpm for 10 minutes. The supernatant was removed, and the precipitate was dispersed in methanol. Thereafter, the mixture was precipitated again with acetone, and 5 mL of ethanol and 80 μL of aminoethanol were added, followed by ultrasonic dispersion to obtain a zinc oxide particle dispersion liquid with a concentration of non-doped zinc oxide particles of 30 mg / mL.
[0127] [Preparation of Quantum Dot Dispersion] (Quantum Dot Dispersion 1) In a glove box, 5 mmol of indium chloride was added to 50 mL of oleylamine, and the mixture was heated and stirred at 60°C to dissolve the indium chloride, preparing indium precursor solution A. In a glove box, 5 mmol of antimony chloride was added to 20 mL of oleylamine, and the mixture was heated and stirred at 60°C to dissolve the antimony chloride, preparing antimony precursor solution B. In a glove box, 100 mL of a tetrahydrofuran (THF) solution of lithium triethylborohydride (concentration of lithium triethylborohydride: 1.0 mol / L, manufactured by Aldrich) was mixed with 50 mL of dioctyl ether, and the THF was distilled off to prepare solution C, which was a dioctyl ether solution of lithium triethylborohydride (concentration of lithium triethylborohydride: approximately 2.0 mol / L). In a glove box, 16.5 mL of precursor solution A, 3 mL of precursor solution B, and 13.5 mL of oleylamine were added to a three-neck flask to obtain a mixed solution. The three-neck flask was then removed from the glove box, and after repeated evacuation and nitrogen purging, the mixture was switched to a nitrogen flow state. 2.9 mL of solution C was then poured into the mixed solution, and the temperature was raised to 260°C at a rate of 3°C / min. After the liquid temperature reached 260°C, the reaction solution was maintained for approximately 15 minutes and then cooled. The three-neck flask was then returned to the glove box, and 6 mL of oleic acid and 90 mL of toluene were added and stirred. This solution was centrifuged at approximately 8000 rpm, after which the precipitate was removed. 60 mL of acetonitrile was added to the supernatant and centrifuged again at 8000 rpm. 9 mL of toluene was added to the precipitate to obtain quantum dot dispersion 1, a dispersion of InSb quantum dots. A quantum dot thin film was prepared using the obtained quantum dot dispersion liquid 1, and the band gap was estimated to be about 0.99 eV from the wavelength at which an inflection point of absorption was observed in the absorption measurement of the quantum dot thin film.
[0128] (Quantum Dot Dispersion 2) 9 ml of acetonitrile was added to 9 ml of quantum dot dispersion 1, and the mixture was centrifuged. The supernatant was removed and the precipitate was recovered. Octane was added to the recovered precipitate to obtain quantum dot dispersion 2a with a concentration of 9 mg / ml. Separately, 0.38 ml of 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) was added and dissolved in 5 ml of N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) to produce MPA ligand-exchanged solution 1. 4 ml of MPA ligand-exchanged solution 1 and 4 ml of quantum dot dispersion 2a were added to a centrifuge tube and stirred for 2 minutes with a vortex mixer. The mixture was then allowed to stand to separate into an octane phase (upper layer) and a DMF phase (lower layer). The upper octane phase was removed, and then 8 ml of hexane was added and stirred for 2 minutes with a vortex mixer. The upper hexane phase was then removed again, and 8 ml of hexane was added and stirred for 2 minutes with a vortex mixer. The upper hexane layer was removed, and 3.2 ml of toluene and 11.2 ml of hexane were added and centrifuged. The supernatant was removed, and the precipitate was vacuum dried for 15 minutes and then redispersed in DMF to obtain quantum dot dispersion 2 (concentration 50 mg / ml) in which MPA was coordinated as a ligand to InSb quantum dots.
[0129] (Quantum Dot Dispersion 3) 9 ml of acetonitrile was added to 9 ml of Quantum Dot Dispersion 1, and after centrifugation, the supernatant was removed and the precipitate was collected. Octane was added to the collected precipitate to obtain Quantum Dot Dispersion 3a with a concentration of 9 mg / ml. Separately, 1 g of indium iodide (InI3) and 0.09 g of ammonium acetate were dissolved in 20 ml of N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) to obtain InI 3 Ligand exchange solution 1 was prepared. 36 ml of the ligand exchange solution 1 and 4 ml of the quantum dot dispersion solution 3a were added to a centrifuge tube, stirred for 2 minutes with a vortex mixer, and then allowed to stand to separate into an octane phase (upper layer) and a DMF phase (lower layer). After removing the upper octane phase, 6 ml of octane was added and stirred for 2 minutes with a vortex mixer. The upper octane phase was again removed, 6 ml of octane was added, and stirred for 2 minutes with a vortex mixer. The upper octane phase was removed, 12 ml of toluene was added, centrifuged, the supernatant was removed, and the precipitate was vacuum dried for 15 minutes. After redispersing in DMF, InSb quantum dots were treated with InI as a ligand. 3 Thus, quantum dot dispersion 3 (concentration: 50 mg / ml) in which the above was coordinated was obtained.
[0130] (Quantum dot dispersion liquid r1) Sodium sulfide (Na 2 S) to a concentration of 15 mg / ml 2 S Ligand Exchange Solution 1 was prepared by mixing 4 ml of quantum dot dispersion solution 1 and Na 2 2.8 ml of S ligand exchange solution 1 was added to the centrifuge tube, stirred for 5 minutes with a vortex mixer, and then left to stand to separate the toluene phase (upper layer) and formamide phase (lower layer). After removing the upper toluene phase, 4 ml of toluene was added and stirred for 1 minute with a vortex mixer. After removing the upper toluene phase again, 4 ml of toluene was added and stirred for 1 minute with a vortex mixer. After removing the upper toluene phase, 4 ml of acetonitrile was added, centrifuged, the supernatant was removed, the precipitate was vacuum dried for 1 day, and then redispersed in DMF to obtain InSb quantum dots with Na as a ligand. 2 A quantum dot dispersion liquid r1 (concentration: 40 mg / ml) in which S was coordinated was obtained.
[0131] [Production of Photodetector Element] An ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) film (first electrode) having a thickness of about 100 nm was formed on quartz glass by sputtering.
[0132] Next, a solution of 1 g of zinc acetate dihydrate and 284 μL of ethanolamine dissolved in 10 mL of methoxyethanol was spin-coated onto the first electrode at 3000 rpm, and then heated at 200° C. for 30 minutes to form a zinc oxide film (electron transport layer) with a thickness of approximately 40 nm.
[0133] Next, the zinc oxide particle dispersion liquid described above was dropped onto the electron transport layer, and the resulting solution was spin-coated at 2500 rpm and heated at 70°C for 30 minutes. This process was repeated twice to obtain a zinc oxide particle film having a thickness of approximately 160 nm. After the zinc oxide particle film was formed, it was irradiated with 30 mW / cm using a UVO-CLEANER MODEL 144AX-100 manufactured by Jlight. 2 The sample was subjected to ultraviolet ozone treatment for 5 minutes under the condition of a wavelength peak of 254 nm.
[0134] Next, an InSb quantum dot assembly film (semiconductor film) was formed to a thickness of 100 nm on the zinc oxide laminate according to the method described below to form a photoelectric conversion layer.
[0135] Next, a toluene solution (concentration: 10 mg / ml) of poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3HT) was spin-coated onto the photoelectric conversion layer at 2000 rpm to form a hole transport layer.
[0136] Next, a 10 nm thick MoO film was deposited on the hole transport layer by vacuum deposition using a metal mask. 3 After the film was formed, a 100 nm thick Au film (second electrode) was formed to form three element portions, thereby manufacturing a photodiode-type light-detecting element.
[0137] (Method of forming a photoelectric conversion layer in a photodetector element of Example 1) The quantum dot dispersion liquid 2 was dropped onto a zinc oxide layer and spin-coated at 2500 rpm to form an InSb quantum dot assembly film (Step 1). Next, an InI quantum dot dispersion liquid 2 was applied onto the InSb quantum dot assembly film, which was prepared by adding 0.1 g of indium iodide to 20 mL of methanol and dissolving it. 3After the ligand exchange liquid 2 was dropped, the film was left to stand for 20 seconds and then spun dry at 2500 rpm for 10 seconds (step 2). Next, acetonitrile was dropped onto the InSb quantum dot assembly film as a rinse liquid, and the film was spun dry at 2500 rpm for 20 seconds (step 3). Next, the film was heated at 120°C for 1 minute using a hot plate (step 4). Steps 1 to 4 were repeated again to impart InI 3 A 100 nm thick InSb quantum dot assembly film (semiconductor film) in which MPA is coordinated was formed to form a photoelectric conversion layer.
[0138] (Method of forming a photoelectric conversion layer in a photodetector element according to Example 2) In Example 1, InI 3 An InSb quantum dot assembly film (semiconductor film) having a thickness of 100 nm, in which MAI and MPA were coordinated to the InSb quantum dots, was formed in the same manner as in Example 1, except that a methylammonium iodide (MAI) ligand exchange liquid prepared by dissolving 0.16 g of MAI in 50 mL of methanol was used instead of ligand exchange liquid 2.
[0139] (Method of forming a photoelectric conversion layer in a photodetector element of Example 3) In Example 1, quantum dot dispersion liquid 3 was used instead of quantum dot dispersion liquid 2, and InI 3 InSb quantum dots were treated with InI in the same manner as in Example 1, except that an MPA ligand exchange solution prepared by mixing 20 μL of MPA in 50 mL of methanol was used instead of the ligand exchange solution 2. 3 An InSb quantum dot assembly film (semiconductor film) in which MPA is coordinated was formed to a thickness of 100 nm.
[0140] (Method of forming a photoelectric conversion layer in a photodetector element of Comparative Example 1) The quantum dot dispersion liquid r1 was dropped onto a zinc oxide layer and spin-coated at 2500 rpm to form an InSb quantum dot assembly film (Step 1). Next, sodium azide (NaN 3 ) and dissolved to prepare 5 mM NaN 3After the ligand exchange liquid was dropped, the film was left to stand for 10 seconds and then spun dry at 2500 rpm for 10 seconds (step 2). Next, methanol was dropped onto the InSb quantum dot assembly film as a rinse liquid, and the film was spun dry at 2500 rpm for 20 seconds, and this operation was repeated three times (step 3). Next, the film was heated at 120°C for 1 minute using a hot plate (step 4). Steps 1 to 4 were repeated again to impart Na 2 S and NaN 3 A 100 nm thick InSb quantum dot assembly film (semiconductor film) in which the InSb quantum dots are coordinated was formed to form a photoelectric conversion layer.
[0141] [Performance Evaluation of Photodetector] The fabricated photodetector was evaluated for the dark current and external quantum efficiency (EQE) of the semiconductor film using a semiconductor parameter analyzer (C4156, manufactured by Agilent). First, the current-voltage characteristics (IV characteristics) were measured while sweeping the voltage from 0 V to −2 V in a state where no light was irradiated, and the dark current was evaluated. Here, the current value at −2 V was taken as the dark current value. Next, the photodetector was irradiated with 1400 nm monochrome light (irradiation dose 50 μW / cm 2 ) was irradiated, the I-V characteristics were measured while sweeping the voltage from 0 V to -2 V. The photocurrent value was determined by subtracting the dark current value from the current value when -2 V was applied, and the external quantum efficiency (EQE) was calculated from this value. Note that the values listed in the external quantum efficiency (EQE) and dark current columns in the table below are values for the central element among the three element parts. Furthermore, for the in-plane uniformity of the external quantum efficiency (EQE), the external quantum efficiency of each of the three element parts was measured, and the difference between the highest and lowest external quantum efficiency values was divided by the external quantum efficiency of the element with the median performance to calculate ΔEQE, and the in-plane uniformity of the external quantum efficiency was evaluated based on ΔEQE. A smaller ΔEQE value indicates better in-plane uniformity. ΔEQE (%) = (highest external quantum efficiency value - lowest external quantum efficiency value) / median external quantum efficiency × 100
[0142]
[0143] As shown in the table above, the photodetector element of the example had higher external quantum efficiency (EQE) and better in-plane uniformity of the external quantum efficiency (EQE) than the photodetector element of the comparative example.Furthermore, the dark current was also lower.
[0144] An image sensor having good visible-infrared imaging performance can be produced by using the photodetector element obtained in the above examples and an optical filter produced according to the methods described in WO 2016 / 186050 and WO 2016 / 190162 together with a known method.
[0145] 1: Photodetector element 11: First electrode 12: Second electrode 13: Photoelectric conversion layer 21: Electron transport layer 22: Hole transport layer
Claims
1. A method for manufacturing a semiconductor film comprising an aggregate of semiconductor quantum dots containing In element and a Group 15 element, and ligands that coordinate to the semiconductor quantum dots, the method comprising: applying a dispersion liquid containing semiconductor quantum dots containing In element and a Group 15 element, a first ligand, and a solvent onto a substrate to form a film of the aggregate of semiconductor quantum dots; and applying a ligand solution containing a second ligand and a solvent to the film of the aggregate of semiconductor quantum dots, thereby coordinating the second ligand to the semiconductor quantum dots, wherein one of the first ligand and the second ligand is a ligand having a thiol group, and the other is a ligand that contains a halogen element.
2. The method for producing a semiconductor film according to claim 1, wherein the first ligand is a ligand having a thiol group, and the second ligand is a ligand containing a halogen element.
3. The method for producing a semiconductor film according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the ligand containing a halogen element is a ligand containing an iodine element.
4. The method for producing a semiconductor film according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the ligand containing a halogen element contains an In element.
5. The method for producing a semiconductor film according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the Group 15 element contained in the semiconductor quantum dots includes Sb element.
6. A method for manufacturing a photodetector, comprising the method for manufacturing a semiconductor film according to claim 1 or 2.
7. A method for manufacturing an image sensor, comprising the method for manufacturing a semiconductor film according to claim 1 or 2.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Preparation method of quantum dot film and preparation method of quantum dot light-emitting diode
CN112018270A
Photoelectric conversion element
JP2022111068A
Quantum dots and production method thereof
US20190385839A1
Photodetection element, photodetection element production method, image sensor, dispersion solution, and semiconductor film
WO2021002106A1
Semiconductor film, method for manufacturing semiconductor film, light detection element, and image sensor
WO2021251309A1