Grinding Semiconductor Nanocrystal-Polymer Composites in Inert Solvent

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Solution Overview

Problem

The poor compatibility between semiconductor nanocrystals and resin materials in display devices leads to agglomeration and loss of organic ligands, resulting in reduced efficiency, necessitating an improved method for processing semiconductor nanocrystal-polymer composites.

Innovation Solution

A method involving low-temperature grinding of semiconductor nanocrystal-polymer composite particles in the presence of an inert organic solvent to produce fine particles with maintained quantum efficiency, using a combination of semiconductor nanocrystals and polymers, such as polyacrylate and silicone resin, to enhance dispersibility and prevent agglomeration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If semiconductor nanocrystals are dispersed in resin materials using conventional methods, then the nanocrystals can be positioned in the display device, but they exhibit poor compatibility leading to agglomeration and loss of organic ligands

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility between nanocrystals and resinVSAvoidintegrity of organic ligand layer

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses an inert organic solvent as an intermediary medium during the grinding process. This solvent mediates between the nanocrystal-polymer composite particles and the grinding media, preventing direct contact that would cause ligand loss while still enabling size reduction. The solvent acts as a protective buffer that maintains nanocrystal integrity throughout the mechanical processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates an inert environment by conducting the grinding process in the presence of inert organic solvents that do not react with the nanocrystals or their organic ligand layers. This inert atmosphere protects the sensitive ligand-nanocrystal interface from degradation while allowing mechanical size reduction to proceed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

2Ease of operation

If the semiconductor nanocrystal-polymer composite particles are ground to reduce particle size, then dispersibility in encapsulating materials is improved, but quantum efficiency is typically lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedispersibility of composite particlesVSAvoidquantum efficiency of nanocrystals

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the grinding process by conducting it at low temperatures and in the presence of inert organic solvents. These parameter changes allow mechanical size reduction to proceed while protecting the quantum efficiency. The low temperature prevents thermal degradation of the nanocrystals, and the solvent prevents mechanical degradation of the ligand layer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The inert organic solvent serves as a mediator that enables the grinding process to proceed without compromising quantum efficiency. It allows mechanical forces to reduce particle size while preventing direct transmission of damaging forces to the nanocrystal-ligand interface, thus maintaining quantum efficiency during size reduction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Use of energy by moving object

If low-temperature grinding is performed without inert organic solvent, then energy consumption is reduced, but substantial loss of quantum dot efficiency occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumption during grindingVSAvoidquantum dot efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs an inert organic solvent environment during low-temperature grinding to protect quantum dot efficiency. The inert atmosphere provided by the solvent prevents oxidative and mechanical degradation of the nanocrystals, allowing the process to maintain high quantum efficiency without requiring excessive energy input for higher temperature processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

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 effectively reduces particle size to 100 μm or less while maintaining or exceeding 70% quantum efficiency, improving light-emitting efficiency and preventing agglomeration when dispersed in encapsulating materials.

Implementation Method 1

low-temperature grinding the semiconductor nanocrystal-polymer composite particles in the presence of the inert organic solvent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

contacting the semiconductor nanocrystal-polymer composite particles with an inert organic solvent; low-temperature grinding the semiconductor nanocrystal-polymer composite particles in the presence of the inert organic solvent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical containment: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentUS9701898B2Methods of grinding semiconductor nanocrystal polymer composite particles

Publication Date: 2017.07.11 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A method of grinding a semiconductor nanocrystal-polymer composite, the method including obtaining a semiconductor nanocrystal-polymer composite including a semiconductor nanocrystal and a first polymer, contacting the semiconductor nanocrystal-polymer composite with an inert organic solvent; and grinding the semiconductor nanocrystal-polymer composite in the presence of the inert organic solvent to grind the semiconductor nanocrystal-polymer composite.