Crosslinked p-Dopant Layers for Organic Electronics
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Solution Overview
Problem
The production of highly efficient and long-lasting p-conducting hole-conducting layers in organic electronics is challenging due to issues with dopant washing out or segregation, and the limited selection of solvents in wet processes, which restricts the structural complexity and electrical fine adjustment of layer sequences.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using functionalized p-dopants that crosslink with each other and functionalized hole conductors through chemical reactions, forming covalent bonds to create a stable, crosslinked layer that is resistant to leaching and foreign substances, allowing for a broader selection of solvents and improved layer structure control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional p-dopants are used in wet processes, then the production process is simple, but the dopants leach or segregate from the layer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by functionalizing the p-dopant molecules with crosslinkable groups before deposition. This pre-prepared functionalization enables subsequent crosslinking that prevents dopant leaching and segregation, resolving the reliability issue while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure by combining the p-dopant with hole conductor materials through crosslinking. This composite approach forms a stable integrated layer where the dopant is chemically bound to the matrix, preventing segregation while maintaining ease of manufacture through solution processing.
2Stability of the object's composition
If orthogonal solvents are used in subsequent processing steps, then underlying layers are protected from dissolution, but the selection of solvents and processable organic substances is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The crosslinkable functional groups are introduced into the p-dopant and hole conductor before layer deposition. After deposition, crosslinking is activated to create a chemically resistant network, enabling subsequent processing with diverse solvents without requiring orthogonal solvent selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical state of the layer from uncrosslinked to crosslinked, fundamentally altering its properties. The crosslinked network provides chemical inertness that allows free selection of solvents for subsequent layers, resolving the contradiction between layer stability and solvent versatility.
3Reliability
If p-dopants are used to increase conductivity, then hole-conducting efficiency improves, but the dopants wash out or segregate during processing
Solution Approach 1:
The p-dopants are pre-functionalized with crosslinkable groups that enable covalent bonding to the hole conductor matrix. This preliminary preparation ensures that once crosslinked, the dopants remain firmly embedded in the layer, maintaining high conductivity efficiency while preventing washout and segregation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system where the p-dopant and hole conductor are chemically integrated through crosslinking. This composite structure ensures the dopant remains embedded in the matrix, maintaining conductivity efficiency while preventing substance loss during processing.
4Reliability
If crosslinking is implemented to prevent dopant leaching, then layer stability improves, but the process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The crosslinkable functional groups are pre-installed on the p-dopant and hole conductor molecules before deposition. The crosslinking step itself remains simple, requiring only standard photolithography or thermal treatment, thus improving layer stability without significantly increasing process complexity.
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
This approach results in mechanically stable and chemically inert layers with enhanced shelf life and conductivity, minimizing diffusion between layers and enabling more complex layer structures without dissolving underlying layers, thus improving the reliability and processability of organic electronic components.
Implementation Method 1
The functionalized p-dopants can crosslink with each other and/or with functionalized hole conductors through a chemical reaction. Crosslinking, here and below, refers to the formation of covalent bonds between the functionalized p-dopants and/or between the functionalized p-dopants and the functionalized hole conductors.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3F
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for producing cross-linked hole-conducting electric layers by converting functionalized p-dopants. The functionalized p-dopants are organic metal complexes which comprise at least one central atom and organic ligands, wherein the central atom is selected from a metal of the groups 6-15 of the periodic table, and at least one of the organic ligands is selected from the following formulas I-V, in which E independently of one another is oxygen, sulfur, selenium, or N(E1)x, and each Rv has at least one functionalizing group selected from the group RF comprising -OH, -COOH, -NH2, -NHR`, halogen, C2-C40-alkenyl, - dienyl, -alkinyl, -alkenyloxy, -dienyloxy, -alkinyloxy, acrylic acid, oxetan, oxiran, silane, acrylic acid, anhydride, and cyclobutane or consists of said groups, and G = C(RF)uHvFw where u+v+w = 3 and n = 1 - 4.