Flexible Metal Oxide Nanosheet Conductors for Foldable Displays

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current transparent electrode materials, such as ITO, lack flexibility and high production costs, making them unsuitable for flexible electronic devices like foldable displays, which require improved transparency, conductivity, and flexibility.

Innovation Solution

A flexible electrical conductor is developed using a substrate with a first conductive layer of metal oxide nanosheets, specifically ruthenium oxide, vanadium oxide, or manganese oxide, with increased lateral dimensions and a second conductive layer of metal nanowires, achieving high light transmittance and low sheet resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If ITO is used as transparent electrode material, then electrical conductivity and light transmittance are improved, but flexibility deteriorates and cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical conductivityVSAvoidflexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the transparent electrode by using ultrathin metal oxide layers (few nanometers thick) instead of conventional thicker ITO films. This parameter change enables flexibility while maintaining electrical conductivity and light transmittance, directly resolving the contradiction between conductivity and flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite material structures combining metal oxide nanosheets with conductive polymers or other materials to achieve both flexibility and electrical conductivity. The composite structure allows the electrode to bend while maintaining conductive pathways, solving the flexibility-conductivity trade-off

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If ITO is used as transparent electrode material, then electrical conductivity and light transmittance are improved, but manufacturing cost increases due to limited indium reserves

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical conductivityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive indium-based ITO with cheaper alternative materials such as zinc oxide, tin oxide, or metal organic frameworks that can be manufactured at lower cost. These alternative materials provide comparable electrical conductivity without the high material cost associated with indium scarcity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the material composition parameters from indium-based compounds to alternative metal oxides and frameworks, achieving similar electrical performance at reduced material cost and eliminating dependency on limited indium reserves

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If conventional transparent electrode materials are used, then electrical conductivity is achieved, but light transmittance and flexibility are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical conductivityVSAvoidlight transmittance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dramatically reduces the thickness parameter of the transparent electrode to ultrathin dimensions (few nanometers), which simultaneously improves light transmittance while maintaining electrical conductivity through optimized material composition and structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs ultrathin film structures that are inherently more transparent to light while maintaining mechanical flexibility. The thin film architecture allows light to pass through more effectively compared to conventional thicker electrodes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 electrical conductor exhibits enhanced conductivity and flexibility, maintaining high light transmittance and low sheet resistance, even when bent, making it suitable for flexible electronic devices like touch screens and displays.

Implementation Method 1

adjacent metal oxide nanosheets of the plurality of metal oxide nanosheets contact to provide an electrically conductive path between the contacting metal oxide nanosheets

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical Conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

It is desirable for a material for a transparent electrode to have high light transmittance (e.g., greater than or equal to about 80% in a visible light region)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight Transmission: Light

Data Source

PatentUS10993320B2Population of metal oxide nanosheets, preparation method thereof, and electrical conductor and electronic device including the same

Publication Date: 2021.04.27 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

An electrical conductor includes a substrate; and a first conductive layer disposed on the substrate and including a plurality of metal oxide nanosheets, wherein adjacent metal oxide nanosheets of the plurality of metal oxide nanosheets contact to provide an electrically conductive path between the contacting metal oxide nanosheets, wherein the plurality of metal oxide nanosheets include an oxide of Re, V, Os, Ru, Ta, Ir, Nb, W, Ga, Mo, In, Cr, Rh, Mn, Co, Fe, or a combination thereof, and wherein the metal oxide nanosheets of the plurality of metal oxide nanosheets have an average lateral dimension of greater than or equal to about 1.1 micrometers. Also an electronic device including the electrical conductor, and a method of preparing the electrical conductor.