Conductive Polymer Composition Using Fluorinated Acid for OLED Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrically conductive polymer compositions used in organic electronic devices, such as OLEDs, suffer from low pH levels due to water-soluble non-fluorinated polymeric acids, leading to decreased stress life and corrosion, and have conductivities too low for effective use as electrodes in thin film field effect transistors.
Innovation Solution
A doped electrically conductive polymer composition is developed by mixing it with an organic solvent wettable fluorinated acid polymer, which improves conductivity and stability, allowing for the creation of buffer layers with enhanced chemical, physical, and electrical properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If water-soluble non-fluorinated polymeric acids are used to prepare conducting polymers, then the polymers can be synthesized in aqueous solution, but the resulting compositions have undesirably low pH levels leading to decreased stress life and corrosion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameter by replacing non-fluorinated polymeric acids with fluorinated polymeric acids (such as poly(styrenesulfonic acid) with fluorinated counterions). This parameter change maintains the aqueous solubility needed for easy manufacture while fundamentally altering the pH characteristics to achieve higher, more stable pH levels that prevent corrosion and extend device stress life.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite material system combining conducting polymers with fluorinated polymeric acids. This composite approach integrates the electrical conductivity of the conducting polymer with the high pH stability and corrosion resistance of fluorinated acids, achieving both ease of aqueous synthesis and improved reliability.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional conducting polymers are used, then they can be prepared by standard polymerization methods, but their conductivities are too low for effective use as electrodes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the electrical conductivity parameter through the introduction of fluorinated polymeric acids as dopants. This chemical parameter change enables the conducting polymer to achieve sufficiently high conductivity levels for electrode applications while maintaining compatibility with standard polymerization methodologies.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conducting polymers are used as electrodes in thin film field effect transistors, then they can provide carrier transport, but the polymers must be compatible with semiconducting polymers and solvents to avoid re-dissolution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameter by using fluorinated polymeric acids, which introduce fluorinated side chains that provide steric bulk and hydrophobic character. These compositional changes enhance the stability of the conducting polymer against re-dissolution in organic solvents while maintaining compatibility with semiconducting polymer layers, enabling effective electrode functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
Electrically conducting polymer compositions are provided. The compositions comprise homopolymers and copolymers of polythiophene, polypyrrole, polyaniline, and polycyclic heteroaromatics, and combinations of those, in admixture with an organic solvent wettable fluorinated acid polymer. The acid polymers are fluorinated or highly fluorinated and have acidic groups including carboxylic acid groups, sulfonic acid groups, sulfonimide groups, phosphoric acid groups, phosphonic acid groups, and combinations thereof. The compositions may be used in organic electronic devices (OLEDs).