OLED Electron Transport Layer Stack with Lithium Dopant

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) face challenges in achieving efficient operation at reduced voltages, particularly for blue, red, green, and white emitting OLEDs, with a need to improve conductivity and balance hole and electron injection for enhanced efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The use of an OLED structure with a stack of at least two electron transport layers, where the first layer is closest to the emission layer and the second layer is closest to the cathode, featuring different matrix compounds and incorporating a lithium halide or lithium organic complex dopant in the first layer, while the second layer is dopant-free, and utilizing a triazine compound substituted with aryl or heteroaryl groups.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a conventional single electron transport layer structure is used, then the device structure is simple, but the operating voltage is high and efficiency is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectron transport layer structureVSAvoidoperating voltage
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The electron transport layer is divided into multiple sub-layers (ETL1, ETL2, ETL3) with different matrix compounds and doping configurations. The first ETL layer adjacent to the emission layer contains lithium halide dopant, while the second ETL layer contains triazine compound matrix, creating a segmented structure that optimizes electron transport at different interfaces, thereby reducing operating voltage and improving efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If electron transport layers with different matrix compounds are used, then conductivity and efficiency are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveconductivityVSAvoidelectron transport layer composition
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Different matrix compounds are selectively applied to different ETL layers based on their specific functional requirements. The first ETL layer uses matrix compounds suitable for lithium halide doping to optimize electron injection from the emission layer, while the second ETL layer uses triazine compounds optimized for electron transport toward the cathode. This local optimization of material properties enhances overall conductivity without requiring complete redesign of the entire device.

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 operating voltage and enhances efficiency by optimizing electron transport and emission, leading to improved conductivity and balanced charge injection in OLEDs.

Implementation Method 1

the first electron transport layer comprises a dopant of a lithium halide and/or lithium organic complex

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDoping: Dopants

Implementation Method 2

electrons injected from the cathode move to the EML, via the ETL

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 3

The holes and electrons recombine in the EML to generate excitons. When the excitons drop from an excited state to a ground state, light is emitted

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectroluminescence: Electroluminescence

Data Source

PatentEP3235019B1Organic light-emitting diode comprising electron transport layers with different matrix compounds
Publication Date: 2022.10.05 NOVALED GMBH
  • EP3235019B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3235019B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3235019B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The present invention relates to an organic light-emitting diode comprising an emission layer and an electron transport layer stack of at least two electron transport layers, wherein a first electron transport layer and a second electron transport layer comprises at least one matrix compound, wherein - the matrix compound or compounds of the first electron transport layer is/are different to the matrix compound or compounds of the second electron transport layer; and in addition, - the first electron transport layer comprises a dopant of a lithium halide and/or lithium organic complex; and - the second electron transport layer is free of a dopant.