Hydroxylated Inorganic Oxide Particles for Low-Voltage Light Emission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing light-emitting devices face issues with oxygen vacancies in inorganic oxides leading to reduced electron injection and transport efficiency, resulting in poor electrical characteristics and reduced luminescence efficiency over time.

Innovation Solution

A method of manufacturing inorganic oxide particles with a hydroxyl group bonded to their surface by reacting an inorganic oxide core precursor with a proton supply compound, such as a carboxylic acid or peroxide-containing compound, to reduce oxygen vacancies and enhance electron injection and transport efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If inorganic oxide particles are used in light-emitting devices, then electron transport is enabled, but oxygen vacancies reduce electron injection and transport efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectron transport efficiencyVSAvoidoxygen vacancies

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of oxygen vacancies into a beneficial one by deliberately introducing hydroxyl groups at the particle surfaces. These hydroxyl groups act as proton sources that can fill oxygen vacancies, transforming the defective oxygen sites into functional hydroxylated sites that improve electron transport while eliminating the harmful vacuum effects

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the surface chemical composition parameter of the inorganic oxide particles by bonding hydroxyl groups to the surfaces. This parameter change from pure oxide surfaces to hydroxylated surfaces fundamentally alters the electronic properties, enabling better electron injection and transport by modifying the surface electron affinity and reducing charge accumulation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Power

If conventional inorganic oxide particles are used, then device structure is simple, but driving voltage is high and efficiency is low

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriving voltageVSAvoidparticle structure

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the surface chemical state parameter of inorganic oxide particles by introducing hydroxyl groups through proton supply compounds. This parameter change reduces the work function and improves electron injection efficiency, thereby lowering driving voltage without requiring complex device structures or additional layers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Duration of action of moving object

If inorganic oxide particles without hydroxyl groups are used, then manufacturing process is simple, but luminescence efficiency decreases over time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice lifespanVSAvoidparticle synthesis process

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by bonding hydroxyl groups to the particle surfaces during the synthesis process itself, rather than requiring subsequent treatment steps. This preliminary functionalization ensures long-term stability and prevents degradation over time, while the hydroxyl groups act as reservoirs that continuously supply protons to fill oxygen vacancies during device operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The hydroxyl groups bonded to particle surfaces serve as self-service proton sources that automatically fill oxygen vacancies during device operation. This self-service mechanism continuously maintains electron transport efficiency without requiring external intervention or additional materials, thereby extending device lifespan through autonomous defect remediation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 method improves electron injection and transport efficiency, leading to improved driving characteristics with lower driving voltage, higher efficiency, and longer lifespan of light-emitting devices.

Implementation Method 1

heating the first composition, wherein the proton supply compound includes a carboxylic acid-containing compound, a peroxide-containing compound, or a combination thereof

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectProton transfer reaction: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

an inorganic oxide particle including an inorganic oxide core and a hydroxyl group bonded to a surface of the inorganic oxide core

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurface hydroxylation: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 3

heating the first composition

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal heating: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS12552680B2Method of manufacturing inorganic oxide particle, method of manufacturing inorganic oxide layer, and light-emitting device including inorganic oxide layer manufactured by the method

Publication Date: 2026.02.17 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

A method of manufacturing an inorganic oxide particle having an inorganic oxide core and a hydroxyl group bonded to a surface thereof includes: preparing a first composition including an inorganic oxide core precursor and a proton supply compound; and heating the first composition. Additional embodiments provide a method of manufacturing an inorganic oxide layer including an inorganic oxide particle manufactured by the method, and a light-emitting device including an inorganic oxide layer manufactured by the method.