OLED Electron Control Layer for Luminous Efficiency and Black State Leakage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Organic light-emitting devices (OLEDs) using phosphorescent materials face challenges in achieving satisfactory luminous efficiency, particularly at low luminance regions, leading to unwanted emission of green or red light during black states due to current leakage.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an electron control layer with specific energy level characteristics and compositions between the phosphorescent emission layer and the electron transport layer, along with an electron blocking layer, to balance electron and hole injection and transportation, thereby suppressing unwanted light emission at low luminance regions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If a phosphorescent material is used in the emission layer, then luminous efficiency is improved at high luminance regions, but unwanted light emission occurs at low luminance regions due to current leakage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveluminous efficiencyVSAvoidunwanted light emission
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

An electron control layer is introduced as an intermediary between the phosphorescent emission layer and the electron transport layer. This layer mediates electron injection by providing energy levels that facilitate electron injection at high luminance while suppressing it at low luminance, thereby preventing current leakage and unwanted light emission in the black state

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The electron control layer utilizes specific energy level parameters (HOMO and LUMO levels) to achieve different electron injection characteristics. By selecting materials with appropriate energy levels (|EH H - EH C | ≤ 0.3 eV and |EL H - EL C | ≤ 0.5 eV), the system achieves high electron injection efficiency at high luminance while maintaining low injection at low luminance, resolving the contradiction between luminous efficiency and current leakage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If electron injection is enhanced to improve luminous efficiency, then high luminance performance is improved, but current leakage increases at low luminance regions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveluminous efficiencyVSAvoidcurrent leakage
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The electron control layer provides dynamic electron injection control based on operating conditions. At high luminance, the energy level alignment facilitates strong electron injection for high efficiency. At low luminance, the same structure naturally suppresses electron injection, preventing current leakage. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between productivity and energy loss

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 solution significantly improves luminous efficiency at high luminance regions while reducing efficiency at low luminance regions, effectively preventing the emission of red and green light during black states, enhancing overall OLED performance.

Implementation Method 1

When a voltage is applied between the anode and the cathode, holes injected from the anode pass the hole transport layer and migrate toward the emission layer, and electrons injected from the cathode pass the electron transport layer and migrate toward the emission layer. Carriers such as the holes and electrons are recombined in the emission layer to generate excitons, and then the excitons change from an excited state to a ground state, thereby generating light.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectroluminescence: Electroluminescence

Implementation Method 2

an electron control layer disposed between the phosphorescent emission layer and the electron transport layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectron conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP2629346B1Organic light-emitting device having improved efficiency characteristics and organic light-emitting display apparatus including the same
Publication Date: 2018.05.30 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • EP2629346B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2629346B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2629346B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An organic light-emitting device including a first electrode, a second electrode opposite to the first electrode, a phosphorescent layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, an electron transport layer disposed between the phosphorescent emission layer and the second electrode, and an electron control layer disposed between the phosphorescent emission layer and the electron transport layer. An organic light-emitting display apparatus including the OLED is also disclosed.