OLED Buffer Layer for Exciton Utilization

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Solution Overview

Problem

The performance of OLED devices is limited by insufficient light emission efficiency and device lifetime due to factors such as inefficient exciton utilization and instability at material interfaces.

Innovation Solution

The OLED device structure includes a light-emitting unit with a first and second carrier function layer, each comprising specific materials for carrier injection, transport, or blocking, and a luminescent material, along with buffer layers made of mixed materials between the light-emitting layer and these carrier function layers, which improves exciton utilization and interface stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a conventional OLED structure without buffer layers is used, then the device structure is simpler, but light emission efficiency is insufficient due to inefficient exciton utilization

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidlight emission efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

A buffer layer comprising a first buffer sub-layer and a second buffer sub-layer is introduced between the light emitting layer and the hole transporting layer/electron transporting layer. The buffer layers contain dopants that facilitate exciton utilization and improve light emission efficiency without significantly complicating the manufacturing process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The buffer layers are constructed as composite structures with specific material compositions: the first buffer sub-layer contains a first dopant, the second buffer sub-layer contains a second dopant. This composite approach optimizes exciton management and light emission while maintaining manufacturing feasibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Device complexity

If material interfaces are not stabilized, then the device structure remains simple, but device lifetime is reduced due to interface instability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterface structureVSAvoiddevice lifetime
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The buffer layers act as intermediary structures between the light emitting layer and the carrier transporting layers. These buffer layers stabilize the material interfaces by providing gradient composition and appropriate energy levels, preventing interface degradation and extending device lifetime

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The buffer layers utilize gradual changes in material composition and dopant concentration to stabilize interfaces. The first and second buffer sub-layers have different dopant types and concentrations, creating a parameter gradient that improves interface stability without excessive structural complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If excitons are not efficiently utilized, then the device structure is simpler, but light emission efficiency is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelayer structureVSAvoidexciton utilization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The buffer layers serve as mediator structures that capture and utilize excitons that would otherwise be lost. The dopants in the buffer sub-layers facilitate exciton management, converting previously wasted excitons into useful light emission

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The buffer layer structure recovers excitons that would normally be discarded or lost at the interface between the light emitting layer and carrier transporting layers. By introducing dopants in the buffer sub-layers, the structure captures these excitons and converts them into light emission, improving overall energy efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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

This structure enhances light emission efficiency and extends device lifetime by utilizing unused excitons and stabilizing material interfaces, resulting in improved performance compared to devices without buffer layers.

Implementation Method 1

OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectroluminescence: Electroluminescence

Data Source

PatentUS10763448B2OLED device with buffer layer adjacent light emitting layer
Publication Date: 2020.09.01 BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO LTD
  • US10763448B2 patent drawing
  • US10763448B2 patent drawing
  • US10763448B2 patent drawing

AI summary

This application relates to an OLED device, a manufacturing method thereof, and a display device. The OLED device includes a light emitting unit between an anode and a cathode. The light-emitting unit includes: a first carrier function layer for migration of first carriers, the first carrier function layer including a first material layer; a second carrier function layer for migration of second carriers having a polarity different from that of the first carriers, the second carrier function layer including a second material layer; a light emitting layer between the first material layer and the second material layer, the light emitting layer including a luminescent material; a first buffer layer between the light emitting layer and the first material layer. The first buffer layer is a mixed layer containing the luminescent material and the first material.