Inorganic Electron Transport Layer for OLED Reliability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Organic electroluminescence devices face reliability issues in high temperature and high humidity environments due to the use of organic materials in electron transport layers, which are costly and have limitations in terms of efficiency and driving voltage.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an inorganic electron transport layer composed of a ternary compound, such as KYbI3 or RbYbI3, directly on the light emitting layer, and an inorganic electron injection layer, which are co-deposited using specific metal halides and lanthanide metals, to enhance electron transport and injection properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If organic materials are used in electron transport layers, then device flexibility and ease of manufacture are improved, but reliability in high temperature and high humidity environments deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidreliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite materials by combining organic materials in the hole transport region with inorganic materials (ternary compounds like KYbI3, RbYbI3) in the electron transport region. This composite approach allows the device to maintain ease of manufacture through vacuum deposition while achieving high reliability in harsh environments through the use of stable inorganic electron transport materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Device complexity

If organic materials are used in electron transport layers, then device complexity is reduced, but efficiency and driving voltage performance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidefficiency and driving voltage

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by using different material types in different regions: organic materials in the hole transport region and inorganic ternary compounds in the electron transport region. This localized differentiation optimizes each region for its specific function, achieving high efficiency and improved driving voltage performance where needed while maintaining overall device simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If inorganic ternary compounds are used in electron transport layer, then reliability in harsh environments is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex, costly manufacturing processes with a simpler vacuum deposition method. The inorganic ternary compounds (KYbI3, RbYbI3) are deposited directly from vapor phase, eliminating the need for complex solution processing, drying, and curing steps. This substitution maintains high reliability while reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If inorganic electron transport layer is co-deposited, then electron transport efficiency is improved, but manufacturing process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectron transport efficiencyVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the deposition of multiple components (metal halides and lanthanide metals) into a single co-deposition process using vacuum deposition. This combining of steps achieves high electron transport efficiency through proper material distribution while avoiding the complexity of multiple sequential deposition processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 configuration maintains high reliability in harsh environments, reduces costs, and achieves low driving voltage with improved light emitting efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

The electron transport layer includes a first ternary compound including a halogen element... to enhance electron transport and injection properties

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectron transport: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

an inorganic electron injection layer, which are co-deposited using specific metal halides and lanthanide metals, to enhance electron transport and injection properties

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectron injection: Thermionic Emission

Implementation Method 3

Forming the electron transport layer is performed by co-deposing a first component, the first component being a halide of any one of an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal, or a lanthanide metal, and a second component

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical vapor deposition: Physical Vapour Deposition

Data Source

PatentUS10944069B2Organic electroluminescence device, method for manufacturing the same, and display device including the same

Publication Date: 2021.03.09 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

An organic electroluminescence device includes a first electrode, a hole transport region on the first electrode, a light emitting layer on the hole transport region, an electron transport region on the light emitting layer, and a second electrode on the electron transport region. The electron transport region includes an electron transport layer directly on the light emitting layer. The electron transport layer includes a first ternary compound including a halogen element.