Naphthyl Substituted Organic Molecules for OLED Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current TADF materials for OLEDs face issues with long-term stability, thermal stability, chemical stability against water and oxygen, limited emission colors, vaporization suitability, energy level mismatch, and complex synthesis, as well as inefficient performance at high current densities and luminances.

Innovation Solution

Development of organic molecules with specific structures, such as those described by Formula 1, which feature a conjugated system and a unique connection between chemical units AF1 and AF2, disrupting electronic communication to enable charge-transfer transitions, thereby improving stability and efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If TADF materials are used to achieve high efficiency by converting triplet excitons to singlet state, then internal quantum efficiency can reach near 100%, but long-term stability and thermal stability are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinternal quantum efficiencyVSAvoidlong-term stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The molecule is divided into two distinct functional units: AF1 (electron-deficient unit with carbonyl or heteroaryl groups) and AF2 (electron-rich aromatic unit). This segmentation allows independent optimization of each unit's properties - AF1 provides the low-lying triplet state for TADF while AF2 provides structural stability and rigidity, resolving the contradiction between efficiency and stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates composite molecular structures combining electron-deficient and electron-rich units through specific linkers. This composite approach allows the molecule to exhibit both TADF characteristics (from the electron-deficient unit) and enhanced stability (from the electron-rich aromatic unit), achieving near 100% internal quantum efficiency while improving long-term and thermal stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Use of energy by moving object

If TADF materials are used to achieve high efficiency, then all excitons can be converted into light, but chemical stability towards water and oxygen is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexciton conversion efficiencyVSAvoidchemical stability towards water and oxygen
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by introducing specific stable chemical groups (carbonyl, heteroaryl) at the electron-deficient unit AF1 while maintaining the electron-rich aromatic unit AF2 with inherent stability. This localized functional design allows the molecule to exhibit TADF properties where needed while maintaining chemical stability in other regions, resisting degradation from water and oxygen

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The molecular structure incorporates elements that create an inherently more stable, less reactive environment - the electron-rich aromatic units and specific linkers provide steric and electronic protection against nucleophilic attack from water and oxidation from oxygen, effectively creating a protective shell around the reactive TADF-active regions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

3Use of energy by moving object

If TADF materials are used to achieve high efficiency, then triplet excitons can be transformed into singlet state, but vaporization suitability is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetriplet to singlet transformation efficiencyVSAvoidvaporization suitability
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent systematically adjusts molecular parameters including molecular weight, symmetry, and functional group composition to optimize vaporization properties. By modifying the linker between AF1 and AF2 and selecting appropriate aromatic units, the molecules achieve suitable volatility for vacuum deposition while preserving the TADF mechanism that enables efficient triplet-to-singlet transformation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Use of energy by moving object

If TADF materials are used to achieve high efficiency, then delayed fluorescence can be exploited, but energy levels often do not match other materials in the optoelectronic component

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedelayed fluorescence efficiencyVSAvoidenergy level matching
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs systematic parameter adjustment of the HOMO and LUMO energy levels by modifying the electron-deficient and electron-rich units. By varying the specific aromatic groups and linkers, the energy levels can be tuned to match standard OLED component materials (holes transport layers, electron transport layers), enabling practical device integration while maintaining high delayed fluorescence efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The molecular design creates multi-functional emitters that simultaneously provide TADF activity, appropriate energy level matching for various OLED architectures, and good morphological properties. This universal design allows the same molecular framework to be adapted for different device configurations (PHOLEDs, TADF-OLEDs, exciplex devices) with different energy level requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

5Use of energy by moving object

If TADF materials are used to achieve high efficiency at low current densities, then singlet harvesting can be implemented, but performance at high current densities and high luminances is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesinglet harvesting efficiencyVSAvoidperformance at high current densities
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs molecules with dynamic characteristics including appropriate excited state lifetimes and charge transfer state formation rates that adapt to different operating conditions. The electron-deficient and electron-rich units create charge transfer states that can efficiently undergo reverse intersystem crossing at low currents while maintaining stability against triplet-triplet annihilation at high currents, enabling sustained high luminance performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 proposed organic molecules enhance the stability and efficiency of OLEDs by allowing charge-transfer transitions, improving long-term and thermal stability, and enabling high luminance performance at high current densities.

Implementation Method 1

negative charge carriers (electrons) and positive charge carriers (holes) meet, which recombine to form so-called excitons (= excited states). The energy contained in the excitons can be emitted by the corresponding emitters in the form of light, in which case this is referred to as electroluminescence.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectroluminescence: Electroluminescence

Implementation Method 2

Cu(I) complexes can be used, which thermally transform triplet exitons into a singlet state due to a small energy difference between the lowest triplet state T 1 and the singlet state S 1 above it (ΔE(S 1 -T 1 )).

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal activation:

Data Source

PatentEP3247768B1Naphthyl substituted organic molecules for use in optoelectronic components
Publication Date: 2019.03.13 CYNORA
  • EP3247768B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3247768B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3247768B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to an organic molecule having a structure of formula 1, and the use thereof in optoelectronic devices: AF1 is a first chemical entity, comprising a conjugated system; AF2 is a second chemical entity, comprising a conjugated system; AF1 ≠ AF2; and wherein the chemical entity AF1 has a structure according to formula 1a, wherein # denotes the position at which bonding to the second chemical entity AF2 takes place; n is an integer from 0 to 6; and K = CN, SO2R*, SOR* or POR*2.