Iridium OLED Emitters for Direct Saturated RGB Emission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) face challenges in achieving saturated red, green, and blue pixel emissions required for full color displays, with conventional methods relying on absorption filters leading to inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

Development of a compound of Formula Ir(LA)x(LB)y(LC)z, where x, y, and z are defined, with specific ligands LA, LB, and LC structures, to enhance emissive properties for OLEDs, allowing direct emission of saturated colors without the need for filters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional absorption filters are used to produce saturated red, green, and blue emissions, then full color display capability is achieved, but device complexity and energy loss increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefull color display capabilityVSAvoidcomplexity of color production process

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the absorption filter component from the conventional OLED structure. By developing emissive materials that directly generate saturated red, green, and blue light, the patent removes the need for color filtering layers, thereby simplifying the device structure while maintaining full color display capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the emission parameters of the OLED by developing novel iridium complex compounds with specific ligand structures (Formula I and Formula II) that directly emit saturated colors. This parameter change in the emissive material properties eliminates the need for absorption filters and enables direct saturated color emission

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional absorption filters are used to produce saturated colors, then full color display is achieved, but energy efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefull color display capabilityVSAvoidenergy efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes the energy-wasting absorption filter component from the system. By using emissive materials that directly produce saturated colors, the patent eliminates the energy loss associated with filtering out unwanted wavelengths, thereby improving overall energy efficiency while maintaining full color display capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the harmful energy loss in absorption filters into beneficial direct emission. By designing iridium complex compounds with tailored ligands that emit specific saturated colors directly, the patent transforms the wasted energy in conventional filters into useful light output, improving energy efficiency

Inventive Principle:

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

3Ease of manufacture

If simple organic materials are used for OLED fabrication, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but emission performance for saturated colors is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidemission performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention creates composite emissive materials by combining iridium metal centers with specifically designed organic ligands (Formula I and Formula II). This composite approach maintains the cost advantage of organic materials while achieving the saturated color emission performance previously only attainable with complex structures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the chemical parameters of the emissive material by developing novel iridium complex compounds with specific ligand structures. This parameter change in molecular structure enables saturated color emission while keeping the manufacturing process compatible with conventional organic material fabrication techniques

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 compound enables OLEDs to emit saturated red, green, and blue colors efficiently, improving display performance and reducing the complexity of color production processes.

Implementation Method 1

OLEDs make use of thin organic films that emit light when voltage is applied across the device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectroluminescence: Electroluminescence

Implementation Method 2

the compound enables OLEDs to emit saturated red, green, and blue colors efficiently

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnergy transfer:

Data Source

PatentUS20260052898A1Organic electroluminescent materials and devices

Publication Date: 2026.02.19 UNIVERSAL DISPLAY CORP

AI summary

A compound of Formula Ir(LA)x(LB)y(LC)z is provided, where LA comprises a structure of Formula I,and each of LB and LC is a bidentate ligand. In the compound, moiety A is a 5-membered or 6-membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring; moiety B is a polycyclic fused ring system containing at least five rings; at least one RA comprises a structure of Formula II,each of X1 to X5, Z1 and Z2 is C or N; K is a direct bond or a linker, Y is a linking group; L is a direct bond or a linking group; and each R substituent is hydrogen or a General Substituent defined herein. Formulations, OLEDs, and consumer products containing the same are also provided.