Organic EL Anode Metal Oxide Layer for Wet Process Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current organic electroluminescence (EL) elements manufactured by the wet process face challenges in forming multiple layers due to elution issues, leading to lower luminescence efficiency and product life, and require a more efficient manufacturing method that addresses the limitations of vacuum deposition.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves an organic EL element structure with a substrate, an anode metal layer, an insulating layer, a metal oxide layer formed through oxidation of the anode metal layer in specific regions, a hole transport layer, an organic luminescent layer, and a cathode layer, which reduces the number of organic layers and enables efficient hole injection and luminescence, while allowing for wet printing of the organic layer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple organic layers are formed by wet process, then material efficiency and production time improve, but layer formation fails due to elution of lower layers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by forming a cross-linked insolubilized layer before forming subsequent organic layers. This cross-linked layer acts as a stable foundation that prevents elution of lower layers when upper layers are formed by wet process, enabling successful multi-layer formation while maintaining material efficiency and production speed advantages of wet processing methods.
2Manufacturing precision
If vacuum deposition is used to form organic layer, then manufacturing precision is maintained, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical vacuum deposition system with a wet chemical process. Instead of using vacuum equipment to deposit organic layers, the invention uses solution-based methods where organic materials are applied in solvent form and then cross-linked chemically. This substitution maintains manufacturing precision through controlled chemical reactions while significantly reducing equipment complexity and manufacturing cost.
3Ease of manufacture
If water-soluble conductive material is used for hole injection layer, then ease of manufacture improves, but harmful factors increase due to nozzle corrosion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of water-soluble material into a beneficial property by using the solubility advantage for easy manufacturing while preventing the corrosion problem. The hole injection layer uses a specific water-soluble conductive polymer that can be applied easily by wet process, and the corrosion issue is addressed through controlled formulation and processing conditions that prevent damage to manufacturing equipment.
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 enhances luminescence efficiency, product life, and simplifies the manufacturing process by forming a hole injection layer with a large work function using metal oxide, reducing the guided wave loss, and enabling the use of wet printing for organic layer formation.
Implementation Method 1
a metal oxide layer formed on the anode metal layer through an oxidation of a surface of the anode metal layer
Implementation Method 2
An organic electroluminescence element... is a device that takes out luminescence by injecting holes through the anode and electrons through the cathode and by recombining the injected holes and electrons inside the luminescent layer
Data Source
AI summary
The organic electroluminescence element includes an anode metal layer above a substrate. The anode metal layer comprises an inner region and an outer region. The inner region is adjacent to and different than the outer region. An upper surface of the inner region is lower than an upper surface of the outer region. A metal oxide layer is on the inner region of the metal anode layer. A hole transport layer is above the metal oxide layer and the inner region. The hole transport layer comprises a hole-transporting organic material. An organic luminescent layer is above the hole transport layer and the inner region. A cathode layer is above the organic luminescent layer and the inner region. The cathode layer injects electrons into the organic luminescent layer. An insulating layer is above the outer region of the anode metal layer.