C60/C70 Fullerene Derivative Blends for Organic Semiconductors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing thin-film organic electronic devices face challenges in predicting the impact of molecular structure changes in n-type semiconductor fullerene derivatives on device performance due to complex interactions of processing and materials parameters, leading to unpredictable morphology and electronic properties.

Innovation Solution

A composition comprising a mixture of C60 and C70 fullerene derivatives, specifically methanofullerenes or Prato adducts, is used, which shows suitability as semiconductor components with minimal sensitivity to blend composition, allowing for use in a wide range of devices with similar processing conditions to pure C60 or C70 derivatives.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If pure C60 or C70 fullerene derivatives are used as n-type semiconductors, then device performance can be optimized, but the complex interactions of processing and materials parameters make it difficult to predict the impact of molecular structure changes on device performance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice performanceVSAvoidcomplexity of predicting molecular structure impact

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the molecular structure parameter by mixing C60 and C70 fullerene derivatives in various ratios, demonstrating that this compositional parameter change does not significantly affect device performance. This resolves the contradiction by showing that despite the complexity of predicting molecular structure impacts, using blended fullerenes provides a robust solution where performance remains reliable across different compositional parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite material system by blending C60 and C70 fullerene derivatives. This composite approach simplifies the prediction problem because the blended system maintains stable performance across varying compositions, unlike pure derivatives where small structural changes have unpredictable effects. The composite material thus improves reliability while reducing the complexity of performance prediction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Loss of energy

If different fullerene derivatives are used to improve device performance, then energy conversion efficiency can be enhanced, but the morphology and electronic properties become unpredictable due to complex parameter interactions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy conversion efficiencyVSAvoidpredictability of morphology and electronic properties

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent systematically varies the compositional parameter (ratio of C60 to C70 derivatives) to demonstrate that energy conversion efficiency remains stable across different values. This resolves the contradiction by showing that while pure derivatives offer potential for efficiency enhancement, their morphology and electronic properties are unpredictable. The blended system provides a compromise that maintains good efficiency with predictable, stable properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If pure C60 or C70 derivatives are used, then device performance can be optimized, but synthesis costs increase due to the need for high purity materials

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice performanceVSAvoidsynthesis cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies this principle by accepting and utilizing the natural mixture of C60 and C70 derivatives that results from typical synthesis processes, rather than investing in expensive purification to achieve pure materials. The blended fullerene mixture, which would otherwise be considered an impure or lower-value product, is shown to perform as well as or better than purified materials, thus reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining device performance reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite material from the natural mixture of C60 and C70 derivatives, transforming what would be an expensive purification problem into a beneficial blended system. This composite approach reduces synthesis costs by eliminating or minimizing purification steps while maintaining or improving device performance, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS8945807B2Blends of fullerene derivatives, and uses thereof in electronic devices

Publication Date: 2015.02.03 NANO C INC

AI summary

Disclosed are compositions of mixed fullerene derivatives with utility in organic semiconductors, and methods of making and using such compositions. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to compositions of mixed fullerene derivatives further comprising one or more additional fullerene-based components within specified ranges. In certain other embodiments, the invention relates to methods of producing mixed fullerene derivatives of a specific composition from mixed fullerene starting materials, or pure fullerene derivatives of a specific composition from mixed fullerene derivatives. In yet other embodiments, the invention relates to semiconductors and devices comprising a composition of the invention.