Electron Buffering Material for OLED Efficiency and Lifespan

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current organic electroluminescent devices face challenges with blue light emission due to phosphorescent materials' instability and efficiency issues, and fluorescent materials' limitations in high-temperature stability and luminance maintenance, leading to reduced color purity and lifespan.

Innovation Solution

An electron buffering material comprising a compound with a specific heteroaryl structure is introduced, forming an electron buffering layer between the light-emitting layer and the second electrode, optimizing electron flow and energy levels to reduce driving voltage, enhance luminous efficiency, and extend device lifespan.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If phosphorescent material is used for blue light emission, then luminous efficiency is improved, but lifespan and color purity deteriorate due to instability and exciton loss

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveluminous efficiencyVSAvoidlifespan
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an electron buffering layer as an intermediary component between the light-emitting layer and electron injection layer. This buffering layer mediates electron transport, preventing excessive electron accumulation that causes exciton loss in phosphorescent materials, thereby maintaining both high luminous efficiency and improved device lifespan

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If fluorescent material is used, then lifespan is improved, but luminous efficiency decreases and interface stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovelifespanVSAvoidluminous efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a composite structure combining fluorescent light-emitting materials with a specifically designed electron buffering layer. This composite approach allows the fluorescent material to provide stable emission while the buffering layer optimizes electron transport, achieving both long lifespan and satisfactory luminous efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Device complexity

If electron injection layer is directly connected to light-emitting layer, then device structure is simplified, but electron flow control deteriorates causing high driving voltage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice structureVSAvoiddriving voltage
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the electron transport function by inserting an electron buffering layer between the electron injection layer and light-emitting layer. This segmentation divides electron transport into two stages: electron injection from the injection layer to the buffering layer, and then electron transfer from the buffering layer to the light-emitting layer, enabling better electron flow control and reduced driving voltage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of operation

If conventional electron transport material is used, then charge transport is achieved, but electron accumulation causes high energy loss and reduced efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharge transportVSAvoidenergy loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the energy level parameters of the electron transport system by selecting buffering layer materials with specific LUMO energy levels that are higher than the light-emitting layer. This parameter optimization creates an energy gradient that facilitates smooth electron transfer while preventing electron accumulation, thereby reducing energy loss and improving efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3415508B1Electron buffering material and organic electroluminescent device
Publication Date: 2021.04.21 ROHM & HAAS ELECTRONICS MATERIALS KOREA LTD
  • EP3415508B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3415508B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3415508B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to an electron buffering material, and an organic electroluminescent device comprising a first electrode, a second electrode facing the first electrode, a light-emitting layer between the first electrode and the second electrode, and an electron transport zone and an electron buffering layer between the light-emitting layer and the second electrode. The organic electroluminescent device comprising the electron buffering material of the present disclosure has a low driving voltage, excellent luminous efficiency, and long lifespan.