Ionic-Coordinate Hybrid Crystals for Stable, Dispersible Phosphors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing luminescent materials, particularly I-VII binary metal halides, face challenges with low blue-light excitability, poor thermal stability, and limited solution processability, hindering their application in lighting phosphors and other devices.

Innovation Solution

Development of phosphor compounds with a novel structure combining ionic and coordinate bonds, forming Cu m X m+n (L) n networks, where X is an anion and L is a cationic organic ligand, enhancing luminescence efficiency, thermal stability, and solution processability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If neutral inorganic modules are coordinated with organic ligands via electron lone-pair bonds, then luminescent structures can be formed, but thermal stability is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal stabilityVSAvoidluminescence efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines ionic and coordinate bonds within the same molecular crystal structure to create hybrid materials that exhibit both high thermal stability and high luminescence efficiency. The ionic bonds provide thermal stability while the coordinate bonds maintain luminescent properties, resolving the contradiction between stability and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If extended 1D, 2D and 3D networks are formed with strong binding ligands, then chemical stability is improved, but solution processability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechemical stabilityVSAvoidsolution processability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different bonding types to different parts of the molecular crystal structure. Ionic bonds are used to create stable networks while coordinate bonds are used in regions that require solution processability, allowing the material to exhibit both chemical stability and ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If cluster-based Cu m I m modules are used, then luminescence efficiency is enhanced, but blue-light excitability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveluminescence efficiencyVSAvoidblue-light excitability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the energy parameters of the luminescent materials by combining ionic and coordinate bonds, which adjusts the band gap and excitation energy levels. This allows the materials to maintain high luminescence efficiency while becoming more responsive to blue-light excitation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Illumination intensity

If highly emissive inorganic cores are incorporated with strong binding ligands, then emission strength is improved, but thermal stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemission strengthVSAvoidthermal stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates composite molecular crystals that integrate ionic and coordinate bonding within the same structure. The ionic component provides thermal stability while the coordinate-bonded luminescent centers maintain strong emission, resolving the contradiction between emission strength and thermal stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 new phosphor compounds exhibit high luminescence quantum efficiency, improved thermal and chemical stability, and excellent solution processability, making them suitable for applications in clean and renewable energy devices such as photovoltaics and solid-state lighting.

Implementation Method 1

luminescent and dispersible hybrid materials combining ionic and coordinate bonds in molecular crystals

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLuminescence: Luminescence

Implementation Method 2

combining ionic and coordinate bonds in molecular crystals

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIonic bonding: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 3

combining ionic and coordinate bonds in molecular crystals

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCoordinate bonding: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentEP3619218B1Luminescent and dispersible hybrid materials combining ionic and coordinate bonds in molecular crystals
Publication Date: 2025.08.20 RUTGERS THE STATE UNIV
  • EP3619218B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(b)
  • EP3619218B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(f)
  • EP3619218B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~4(b)

AI summary

Inorganic-organic hybrid structures having both ionic and coordinate bonds in a molecular cluster possessing the features of structural diversity, high luminescence and stability, and excellent dispersibility, suitable for use as lighting phosphors.