CNT Thin Film Transistor on Degradable Polymer Substrate
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current flexible electronics, particularly in displays, face challenges with organic TFTs having low charge mobility and switching speed, and environmental concerns due to non-degradable plastic substrates, while maintaining transparency and stability.
Innovation Solution
A flexible and transparent thin film transistor (TFT) using semiconductive carbon nano tubes (CNTs) with a degradable polymer substrate, including materials like starch and poly-lactic acid, and organic materials for the channel, source/drain electrodes, and gate layers, forming a mutually connected electric path, and a transparent insulating or conductive organic material for the gate layer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If organic TFT is used for flexible display, then flexibility and low production cost are improved, but charge mobility and switching speed deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite structure combining organic materials with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to create the TFT active layer. The organic material provides flexibility and processability, while the CNTs contribute high charge mobility and electrical conductivity, resolving the contradiction between flexibility and charge mobility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different materials with specific local functions: organic materials in regions requiring flexibility and CNTs in regions requiring high charge transport. This localized material assignment allows each component to optimize its specific function while working together as an integrated system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If plastic substrate is used for flexible display, then flexibility is improved, but environmental degradation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of substrate material composition from conventional non-degradable plastics to bio-degradable polymers. This parameter change maintains the flexibility required for foldable displays while introducing environmental degradability, allowing the substrate to break down naturally after disposal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adopts a disposable substrate approach using bio-degradable materials that can be naturally decomposed after the product lifecycle. This principle accepts the temporary nature of the substrate, designing it to be environmentally friendly rather than permanently persistent in the environment.
3Illumination intensity
If transparent structure is implemented for paper display, then transparency is improved, but structural stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite transparent materials combining organic polymers with CNT networks. The organic polymer matrix provides structural stability and mechanical strength, while the CNT network maintains electrical conductivity and flexibility. This composite structure achieves transparency without sacrificing structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses thin film structures for the TFT layers and substrate, which inherently provide both transparency and flexibility. The thin film architecture allows light transmission while maintaining sufficient mechanical strength through the distributed network of organic and CNT materials.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The TFT achieves high electrical reliability, environmental sustainability through natural degradation, and improved charge mobility and switching speed, suitable for displays like OLEDs, with increased pixel aperture ratio and reduced environmental pollution.
Implementation Method 1
a channel layer, which includes a transparent organic material and a semiconductive carbon nano tube (CNT) forming a mutually connected electric path in the organic material
Implementation Method 2
A carbon nano tube (CNT) has an excellent charge transmission characteristic and a large aspect ratio, and thus has both high charge mobility and transparency
Implementation Method 3
a degradable polymer substrate, which supports the channel layer, the source and drain electrodes, the gate layer, and the gate insulation layer
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a flexible and transparent carbon nano tube (CNT) thin film transistor using a degradable polymer substrate, and a display adapting the CNT thin film transistor. The polymer substrate is formed of a polymer material that is naturally degraded, and a CNT channel, where a semiconductive CNT is dispersed on a transparent organic material, is prepared on the polymer substrate. Source and drain electrodes, where a conductive CNT is ejected on a transparent organic material, are connected to both sides of the CNT channel. A gate, where a conductive CNT is dispersed on a transparent organic material, is disposed on or below the CNT channel, and a gate insulation layer including a transparent organic material is disposed between the CNT channel and the gate.