Phosphine Oxide Compounds for OLED Electron Transport

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a continuous need to improve the performance of Organic Light-Emitting Diodes (OLEDs), particularly in terms of reducing operating voltage and enhancing external quantum efficiency and lifetime, especially in fluorescent blue devices, where current matrix compounds in electron transport layers, electron injection layers, and n-type charge injection layers fall short.

Innovation Solution

The use of specific phosphine oxide compounds represented by general formulas (I) and (II) in a semiconducting layer of OLEDs, which include carbon-containing groups, halogens, and spacer groups, optimized for use as electron transport layers or electron injection layers, in conjunction with lithium organic complexes or zero-valent metal dopants to balance charge injection and transport.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If conventional matrix compounds are used in electron transport layers, then device structure is simple, but operating voltage is high and efficiency is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperating voltageVSAvoidcompound structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the molecular structure of phosphine oxide compounds through systematic variation of substituents (Ar1, Ar2, R1, R2) and spacer groups. This structural parameter optimization enables tuning of electronic properties such as LUMO levels and electron mobility, achieving lower operating voltages and higher efficiency in OLEDs without excessive structural complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite materials by combining phosphine oxide matrix compounds with specific aromatic heterocyclic substituents and spacer groups to create optimized electron transport materials. These composite molecular structures integrate multiple functional groups that work synergistically to improve electron injection and transport while maintaining structural stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If conventional matrix compounds are used, then manufacturing is simple, but external quantum efficiency and lifetime are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice lifetimeVSAvoidmaterial synthesis
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses parameter changes to optimize the glass transition temperature (Tg) and molecular weight of phosphine oxide compounds by adjusting substituent types and positions. This enables improvement of device lifetime and operational stability while maintaining compatibility with existing vacuum deposition and solution processing manufacturing methods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-optimizing the molecular structure of phosphine oxide compounds with specific heterocyclic groups and spacer configurations before device fabrication. This preliminary structural design ensures high electron mobility and stable charge transport, leading to extended device lifetime without requiring complex manufacturing processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If current matrix compounds are used in fluorescent blue OLEDs, then device structure is straightforward, but charge balance is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharge transport efficiencyVSAvoidlayer structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the LUMO energy levels and electron mobility of phosphine oxide compounds through substituent modification. This enables improved charge balance between electrons and holes in fluorescent blue OLEDs, achieving higher productivity without requiring complex multi-layer structures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs universality by designing phosphine oxide compounds that simultaneously provide electron transport, charge balance, and interface optimization functions. These multi-functional materials can be used in various OLED types including fluorescent blue devices, reducing the need for specialized layer structures while maintaining high charge transport efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3406617B1Use of phosphine oxide compounds in a semiconducting layer comprised in an electronic device
Publication Date: 2021.03.24 NOVALED GMBH
  • EP3406617B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3406617B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3406617B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The present invention relates to the use of a compound represented by the general formula (I) wherein A1 and A2 are independently selected from C1 to C60 carbon-containing groups; A3 to A9 are independently selected from hydrogen, C1 to C60 carbon-containing groups, or halogen; R1 and R2 are independently selected from C1 to C60 carbon-containing groups which are attached to the phosphorous atom by a sp3-hybridized carbon atom; X is a single covalent bond or a spacer group consisting of 1 to 120 covalently bound atoms; in a semiconducting layer comprised in an electronic device, a respective semiconducting layer, a respective electronic device and respective compounds.