Curable Composition with Oxide Complexes for Flexible Electronics

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for an adhesive member for flexible, foldable, and rollable electronic devices that can deform under external forces such as bending and distortion while maintaining excellent resilience upon force removal, and also exhibit superior optical properties, elastic force, and flexibility.

Innovation Solution

A curable composition is developed comprising an oxide-containing complex with an oxide core, such as aluminum oxide or silicon oxide, chemically bound to an organic group that includes a curable group and a linking group, which is mixed with a curable material to form a cured material with enhanced optical properties and resilience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional adhesive member is used in flexible electronic devices, then the device structure is simple, but the adhesive member cannot maintain excellent resilience upon bending and distortion

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveresilienceVSAvoidadhesive member structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive member is constructed as a composite material comprising a polymer matrix and oxide-containing complexes dispersed within it. The oxide-containing complexes include oxide cores (such as metal oxides or ceramic oxides) with chemically bound organic groups. This composite structure combines the flexibility and bonding capability of the polymer matrix with the mechanical strength and resilience enhancement provided by the oxide-containing complexes, allowing the adhesive member to maintain its performance under bending and distortion while preserving a relatively simple overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention modifies the physical and chemical parameters of the adhesive member by controlling the particle size of the oxide core (1 nm to 50 nm diameter), the refractive index of the oxide core (1.2 to 2.5), and the chemical composition of the organic groups. These parameter changes enable the adhesive member to achieve optimal balance between flexibility, adhesion, and resilience without requiring complex structural modifications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If an adhesive member with high flexibility is used, then the device can deform easily, but the optical properties may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidoptical properties
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The oxide-containing complexes are locally distributed within the polymer matrix at specific concentrations and positions. The oxide cores with controlled particle sizes (1-50 nm) and refractive indices (1.2-2.5) create local regions that enhance mechanical strength without significantly affecting light transmission. The organic groups on the oxide surface are locally chemically bound to ensure proper dispersion and prevent aggregation, maintaining optical clarity while providing flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The oxide-containing complexes create a microstructured network within the polymer matrix that provides both mechanical flexibility and optical transparency. The nanoscale oxide particles (1-50 nm) create a porous-like dispersed structure that allows light to pass through while the polymer matrix maintains flexibility. This structure enables the adhesive member to deform without compromising optical properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

3Strength

If the oxide core diameter is increased to improve mechanical strength, then elastic force increases, but the material becomes less flexible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelastic forceVSAvoidflexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using large oxide particles that would provide maximum strength but reduce flexibility, the invention uses a partial action approach by employing small oxide cores with diameters of 1 nm to 50 nm. This size range is sufficient to provide the necessary elastic force enhancement while being small enough to maintain flexibility and prevent aggregation. The controlled particle size ensures optimal balance between strength and flexibility without excessive reinforcement that would compromise adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 resulting cured material demonstrates excellent light transmittance, elastic force, flexibility, and resilience, making it suitable for use in flexible electronic devices that require durability and optical performance.

Implementation Method 1

an organic group chemically bound to an atom on a surface of the oxide core, the organic group includes a curable group reactable with the curable material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical bonding: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

The oxide core has a refractive index of about 1.2 to about 2.5... the resulting cured material demonstrates excellent light transmittance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight transmission: Light

Data Source

PatentUS11859034B2Curable composition, method of preparing curable composition, cured material of curable composition, method of preparing cured material, and electronic device including cured material
Publication Date: 2024.01.02 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • US11859034B2 patent drawing
  • US11859034B2 patent drawing
  • US11859034B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A curable composition for an electronic device, includes a curable material; and an oxide-containing complex; wherein the oxide-containing complex includes i) an oxide core and ii) an organic group chemically bound to an atom on a surface of the oxide core, the organic group includes a) a curable group reactable with the curable material and b) a linking group linking the atom on a surface of the oxide core to the curable group, and the oxide core includes an aluminum oxide, a silicon oxide, or a combination thereof.