Fused Thiophene DPP Polymer Ink Shelf Life Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ink formulations for electronic devices, particularly those using semiconducting polymers, face challenges with short shelf life due to gelation and precipitation issues, which complicates large-scale production and storage, as they tend to aggregate and lose solubility, necessitating additional processing steps to maintain viscosity.
Innovation Solution
The development of organic semiconductor formulations using a combination of solvents, including aromatic and non-aromatic components, which stabilize fused thiophene diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP) copolymers, preventing gelation and precipitation for extended periods, allowing for longer shelf life and improved usability in printable ink applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If semiconducting polymer ink formulations are stored for extended periods, then shelf life is improved, but gelation and precipitation occur causing viscosity increase and loss of solubility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a secondary solvent as an intermediary component to mediate between the semiconducting polymer and the primary solvent. This secondary solvent acts as a stabilizing agent that prevents polymer aggregation and gelation during storage, thereby extending shelf life while maintaining viscosity stability. The secondary solvent serves as a bridge that enhances the compatibility and stability of the formulation over extended storage periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the formulation parameters by adjusting the ratio and types of solvents used. Specifically, it employs a combination of primary and secondary solvents in optimized proportions to change the physical-chemical parameters of the ink formulation. This parameter optimization prevents gelation and precipitation, maintaining stable viscosity and solubility characteristics throughout the extended shelf life period.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If semiconducting polymer ink formulations are stored for extended periods, then shelf life is improved, but gelation and precipitation occur requiring additional processing steps
Solution Approach 1:
The secondary solvent acts as a preventive intermediary that eliminates the need for additional processing steps during manufacturing and storage. By incorporating this stabilizing component into the base formulation, the patent prevents gelation and precipitation from occurring in the first place, thereby avoiding the need for reconstitution or other corrective processing steps that would otherwise be required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-stabilizing the ink formulation with an optimized solvent system before storage. This preliminary stabilization prevents gelation and precipitation during the shelf life period, eliminating the need for subsequent processing steps such as reconstitution or filtration that would be required if the formulation degraded during storage.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If semiconducting polymer ink formulations are stored for extended periods, then shelf life is improved, but gelation and precipitation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The secondary solvent serves as a reliability-enhancing intermediary that maintains polymer solubility throughout extended storage periods. It prevents the phase separation and precipitation that would otherwise occur, ensuring that the formulation remains homogeneous and reliably soluble from manufacture through the entire extended shelf life period.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite solvent system combining primary and secondary solvents with complementary properties. This composite formulation leverages the strengths of each solvent component to provide both initial solubility and long-term stability, preventing gelation and precipitation while extending shelf life and maintaining reliable solubility characteristics.
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 solvent mixture effectively extends the shelf life of the formulations, preventing gelation and precipitation, making them suitable for large-scale production and storage, maintaining viscosity and solubility, and ensuring consistent device performance without the need for additional reconstitution steps.
Implementation Method 1
The solution is comprised of mixtures of certain solvents and prevents gelation of the fused thiophene diketopyrrolopyrrole copolymers when formulated into inks
Data Source
AI summary
A formulation including: an organic semiconducting polymer selected from the diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP) and fused thiophene co-polymer structures of the formulas (I), (II), or combinations thereof, or salts thereof, in an amount of from 0.1 to 5 wt % based on the total weight of the formulation: formulas (I) and (II), respectively, where m is an integer from 1 to 2, n is an integer from 4 to 80, X and Y are independently selected from a divalent heteroaryl, such as a thiophene, R1, R2, R3, and R4 is each a hydrocarbylene substituent as defined herein, a first solvent is selected from a cyclic aliphatic in an amount of from 2 to 98 wt %; and a second solvent selected from an aromatic in an amount of from 98 to 2 wt %. Also disclosed are method of making and using the disclosed formulations, for example, for use in electronic devices.