OLED Dual Emission Layer Electron Mobility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current organic light-emitting devices (OLEDs) face challenges in optimizing electron mobility and exciton recombination efficiency, leading to suboptimal luminescence and lifespan characteristics due to limitations in the design of the emission layer.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a dual emission layer structure within the OLED, where the first emission layer includes a dopant, a hole-transporting compound, and an electron-transporting compound, and the second emission layer includes a different set of dopant, hole-transporting, and electron-transporting compounds, with the second electron-transporting compound having higher mobility than the first, to enhance electron mobility and exciton recombination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single emission layer is used in OLED, then the device structure is simple, but electron mobility and exciton recombination efficiency are suboptimal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemission layer structureVSAvoidelectron mobility and exciton recombination efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The emission layer is divided into two distinct emission layers (first emission layer and second emission layer) with different compositions and functions. The first emission layer contains a first dopant, first hole-transporting compound, and first electron-transporting compound, while the second emission layer contains a second dopant, second hole-transporting compound, and second electron-transporting compound. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized for specific functions, thereby improving overall electron mobility and exciton recombination efficiency without excessive complexity increase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the emission layer are assigned different material compositions and properties. The first emission layer is positioned closer to the hole transport region with materials optimized for hole transport and initial exciton generation, while the second emission layer is positioned closer to the electron transport region with materials optimized for electron transport and exciton recombination. This local differentiation of material quality enables optimized electron mobility and exciton recombination in each specific region.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If electron mobility is increased by changing materials, then luminescence efficiency improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveluminescence efficiencyVSAvoidemission layer composition
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The emission layer is segmented into two functional layers with distinct material compositions. The first emission layer uses a first electron-transporting compound with specific properties, while the second emission layer uses a second electron-transporting compound with higher electron mobility. This segmentation allows the system to achieve improved luminescence efficiency through optimized electron transport in the second layer without requiring complete redesign of the entire emission layer, thus managing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The electron mobility parameter is specifically optimized by selecting different electron-transporting compounds for the two emission layers. The second electron-transporting compound is chosen to have higher electron mobility than the first, which directly improves luminescence efficiency by enhancing electron transport to the emission zone. This targeted parameter change in specific layers avoids the need to redesign all materials, thereby controlling device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If the exciton recombination zone is narrowed to improve efficiency, then luminescence efficiency increases, but the control difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveluminescence efficiencyVSAvoidexciton recombination zone control
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The emission layer is segmented into two distinct layers that naturally create separate zones for exciton generation and recombination. The first emission layer is positioned to facilitate hole transport and initial exciton formation, while the second emission layer is positioned to optimize electron transport and exciton recombination. This spatial segmentation narrows and localizes the exciton recombination zone to the interface region between the two emission layers, improving luminescence efficiency while providing clear spatial control over where recombination occurs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different material compositions are assigned to different regions to control the exciton recombination zone. The second emission layer contains a second electron-transporting compound with higher electron mobility, which creates a localized region of enhanced electron transport and narrowed recombination zone. This local optimization of material quality at the emission layer interface improves luminescence efficiency while providing precise control over the recombination zone location and width.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 configuration reduces resistance, narrows the exciton recombination zone, increases luminescence efficiency, and improves the lifespan of the OLED by optimizing the driving voltage and exciton recombination rate.

Implementation Method 1

the first emission layer includes a first dopant, a first hole-transporting compound, and a first electron-transporting compound, the second emission layer includes a second dopant, a second hole-transporting compound, and a second electron-transporting compound

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectron transport: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

the first emission layer includes a first dopant, a first hole-transporting compound, and a first electron-transporting compound

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHole transport: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 3

Holes provided from the anode may move toward the emission layer through the hole transport region, and electrons provided from the cathode may move toward the emission layer through the electron transport region. The holes and the electrons recombine in the emission layer to produce excitons. The excitons may transition from an excited state to a ground state, thus generating light.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectroluminescence: Electroluminescence

Data Source

PatentUS20230085905A1Light-emitting device and electronic apparatus including same
Publication Date: 2023.03.23 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

Provided are a light-emitting device and an electronic apparatus including the light-emitting device. The light-emitting device may include: an emission layer between a first electrode and a second electrode. The emission layer may include i) a first emission layer and ii) a second emission layer between the first emission layer and the second electrode, the first emission layer may be in direct contact with the second emission layer, the first emission layer may include a first dopant, a first hole-transporting compound, and a first electron-transporting compound, the second emission layer may include a second dopant, a second hole-transporting compound, and a second electron-transporting compound, the first dopant may be identical to the second dopant, and the first electron-transporting compound may be different from the second electron-transporting compound, electron mobility of the second electron-transporting compound may be greater than electron mobility of the first electron-transporting compound.