Conducting Polymer Dispersion with Perfluorinated Acid

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aqueous electrically conducting polymer dispersions used in organic electronic devices, such as OLEDs, have low conductivity and work function, limiting their applications.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a perfluorinated polymeric acid (PFA) into the dispersions, dissolved in high boiling solvents or mixed with water, to enhance conductivity and work function, achieving values greater than 100 S/cm and 5.1 eV respectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional aqueous electrically conducting polymer dispersions are used, then the device structure is simple and ease of manufacture is maintained, but the electrical conductivity and work function are low, limiting application performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical conductivityVSAvoidcomposition complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining conducting polymer particles with perfluorinated polymeric acid in an aqueous dispersion system. This composite approach enables simultaneous achievement of high electrical conductivity (>100 S/cm) and high work function (>5.1 eV), resolving the technical contradiction between improving electrical performance and maintaining material system simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter changes by adjusting the composition ratios of conducting polymer to perfluorinated polymeric acid, controlling molecular weight parameters, and optimizing aqueous dispersion conditions. These parameter optimizations enable the system to achieve both high conductivity and high work function without requiring complex multi-layer structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If perfluorinated polymeric acid is added to enhance conductivity and work function, then electrical performance is improved, but the composition complexity and processing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvework functionVSAvoidprocessing ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs perfluorinated polymeric acid as an intermediary substance that mediates between the conducting polymer particles and the aqueous environment. This intermediary enables simultaneous enhancement of both conductivity and work function while maintaining aqueous processability, thus resolving the contradiction between improved electrical performance and ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes processing parameters including the concentration of perfluorinated polymeric acid (0.1-10 wt%), molecular weight parameters, and drying conditions. These controlled parameter changes enable high-performance material formation through simple aqueous coating and drying processes, maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving superior electrical properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution significantly improves the electrical conductivity and work function of the conducting polymers, enabling their use as high-performance anodes, photovoltaic cell coatings, and capacitor cathodes without the need for materials like ITO, while maintaining high conductivity.

Implementation Method 1

simultaneous enhancement of electrical conductivity and work-function of aqueous electrically conducting polymer dispersions made by adding a perfluorinated polymeric acid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIonic conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

simultaneous enhancement of electrical conductivity and work-function of aqueous electrically conducting polymer dispersions made by adding a perfluorinated polymeric acid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectron withdrawal: Electrostatic Induction

Implementation Method 3

adding a perfluorinated polymeric acid dissolved in a high boiling solvent or a mixture of a high boiling solvent and water

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSolvation: Solvation

Implementation Method 4

The conducting polymers are made by oxidative polymerization of a conjugated monomer and a non-fluorinated polymeric acid in water

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxidative polymerization: Oxidation

Data Source

PatentUS8491819B2High work-function and high conductivity compositions of electrically conducting polymers
Publication Date: 2013.07.23 LG CHEM LTD

AI summary

Provided are compositions having high conductivity and high work-function. The compositions comprise an aqueous dispersion or solution of an electrically conducting polymer and a perfluorinated polymeric acid. The conductive polymers may be made from conjugated monomers or comonomers and a non-fluorinated polymeric acid, and the perfluorinated polymeric acides may be derived from perfluoroolefins having perfluoro-ether-sulfonic acid side chains. Devices embodying such compositions are also provided.