Gelable Polymer Composition for Solution-Processed Transistors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Polymer thin film transistors face challenges in achieving sufficient charge carrier mobility and solution processability at room temperature due to gelling issues, which hinder the fabrication of low-cost, flexible electronic devices.
Innovation Solution
A process involving a composition of a polymer and a liquid where the polymer exhibits increased solubility at elevated temperatures, allowing for gelling disruption through agitation when the temperature is lowered, enabling solution coating and drying to form a structurally ordered semiconductor layer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by stationary object
If the temperature is lowered to room temperature to enable solution processability, then energy requirement is reduced and equipment is simplified, but the polymer composition gels and cannot be satisfactorily solution coated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the temperature parameter during the solution coating process. The composition is heated to an elevated temperature (e.g., 60-80°C) to prevent gelling and enable satisfactory solution coating, then cooled to room temperature after coating to achieve the desired low-energy processing while maintaining film formation quality. This temporal separation of temperature conditions resolves the contradiction between energy efficiency and manufacturability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs preliminary action by pre-heating the polymer composition to an elevated temperature before the solution coating step. This preliminary heating prevents gelling during the coating process, ensuring proper film formation. The temperature is then reduced after coating, allowing the process to benefit from low-energy room temperature conditions while maintaining manufacturing quality.
2Ease of manufacture
If the temperature is elevated to improve polymer solubility and prevent gelling, then solution processability is improved, but energy requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by implementing a temperature profile that elevates the composition temperature only during the critical solution coating step to improve solubility and prevent gelling. After coating is complete, the temperature is reduced to room temperature. This localized temporal application of elevated temperature minimizes energy consumption while ensuring processability during the essential coating operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by heating the composition to elevated temperature before coating to ensure optimal solubility and prevent gelling during the process. Once coating is accomplished, the temperature is reduced, thereby limiting energy exposure to only the necessary duration and achieving energy efficiency without sacrificing manufacturability.
3Use of energy by stationary object
If room temperature processing is used to reduce energy consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but charge carrier mobility is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by implementing a temperature profile that elevates temperature during solution coating to ensure proper film formation and prevent gelling, then reduces to room temperature for device operation. The resulting film structure, formed under controlled elevated temperature conditions, maintains sufficient charge carrier mobility while the overall process achieves energy efficiency through low-temperature operation during device use and limited-duration heating during manufacturing.
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 method allows for the fabrication of polymer thin film transistors with improved charge transport capabilities and solution processability at room temperature, overcoming gelling issues and achieving comparable performance to conventional technologies.
Implementation Method 1
the polymer exhibits lower solubility in the liquid at room temperature but exhibits greater solubility in the liquid at an elevated temperature
Implementation Method 2
wherein the composition gels when the elevated temperature is lowered to a first lower temperature without agitation
Implementation Method 3
agitating the composition to disrupt any gelling
Implementation Method 4
drying at least partially the layer
Data Source
AI summary
A composition including a polymer and a liquid, wherein the polymer exhibits lower solubility in the liquid at room temperature but exhibits greater solubility in the liquid at an elevated temperature, wherein the composition gels when the elevated temperature is lowered to a first lower temperature without agitation, wherein the viscosity of the composition results from a process comprising (a) dissolving at the elevated temperature at least a portion of the polymer in the liquid; (b) lowering the temperature of the composition from the elevated temperature to the first lower temperature; and (c) agitating the composition to disrupt any gelling, wherein the agitating commences at any time prior to, simultaneous with, or subsequent to the lowering the elevated temperature of the composition to the first lower temperature, wherein the amount of the polymer dissolved in the liquid at the elevated temperature ranges from about 0.2% to about 5% based on the total weight of the polymer and the liquid.