Organic Internal Connector for Tandem OLED Voltage Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing organic electronic devices, such as OLEDs and solar cells, face challenges in maintaining high luminance or photoelectric conversion efficiencies, long device lifetimes, and low power consumption while achieving good color purity and voltage stability, particularly in the design of internal connecting regions for efficient charge transport.

Innovation Solution

The use of a specific configuration involving a p-type organic layer, an intermediate layer, and an n-doped organic layer with an organic dopant, where the n-doped layer includes an electron transporting material and an organic n-dopant with a high reducing power, and an intermediate layer with materials like copper phthalocyanine, to form an efficient internal connecting region that reduces ohmic losses and enhances charge carrier transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional internal connector with metal dopants is used, then charge carrier transfer is enhanced, but device stability and lifetime decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice stabilityVSAvoidcharge carrier transfer efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the internal connector by using organic n-type dopants with high reducing power (HOMO levels less negative than -4.5 eV) instead of conventional metal dopants. This parameter change maintains electrical functionality while improving device stability and lifetime.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a composite structure consisting of an n-doped organic layer combined with an intermediate layer containing copper phthalocyanine or similar materials. This composite approach enables efficient charge carrier transfer through the organic n-dopant while the intermediate layer provides stable interfaces, achieving both high productivity and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Loss of energy

If the internal connector uses strong n-type doping to reduce ohmic losses, then electrical conductivity improves, but device lifetime decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveohmic lossesVSAvoiddevice lifetime
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the HOMO level parameter of the organic n-dopant to be less negative than -4.5 eV, which provides strong n-type doping for reduced ohmic losses while maintaining molecular stability that extends device lifetime. This specific parameter range resolves the contradiction between conductivity and longevity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses stable organic molecular structures that resist degradation compared to reactive metal dopants. While achieving strong doping effects, the organic molecules maintain structural integrity over time, effectively replacing short-lived metal-based solutions with long-lived organic alternatives.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Device complexity

If a simple n-doped layer is used as connector, then device structure is simplified, but charge transport efficiency and voltage stability are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnector structureVSAvoidvoltage stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediate layer containing copper phthalocyanine or similar compounds between the n-doped organic layer and the phototransducing unit. This intermediary layer mediates charge transfer, improving voltage stability and charge transport efficiency while maintaining overall structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The connector is formed as a composite of an n-doped organic layer and an intermediate layer with specific organic compounds. This composite structure achieves superior charge transport and voltage stability compared to a simple n-doped layer, while adding minimal structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 improves voltage stability, efficiency, and extends the lifetime of organic electronic devices by reducing ohmic losses and enhancing charge carrier transfer, while avoiding the use of metal dopants that can decrease stability.

Implementation Method 1

an organic n-dopant with a high reducing power, where the n-doped layer includes an electron transporting material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRedox reactions: Redox Reactions

Implementation Method 2

enhances charge carrier transfer, while avoiding the use of metal dopants that can decrease stability

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP2430677B1Internal connector for organic electronic devices
Publication Date: 2020.01.15 NOVALED GMBH
  • EP2430677B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2430677B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2430677B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention provides an electronic device including an anode and a cathode, between which there are at least two organic phototransducing units where the units are separated by an intermediate connecting region which comprises in sequence: an organic p-type layer, an intermediate layer in direct contact with the organic p-type layer and including a compound that has a LUMO more negative than -3.0 eV and is different from the organic compound in the organic p-type layer, and an n-type doped organic layer in direct contact with the intermediate layer and including an electron transport material as a host and an organic n-dopant with a HOMO less negative than -4.5 eV. In one embodiment, the electronic device is a tandem OLED.