Phosphine Oxide Electron Transport Layer for OLED Voltage Reduction

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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 matrix compounds in the electron transport layer, electron injection layer, and n-type charge injection layer face challenges in achieving high efficiency, low operating voltage, and excellent stability.

Innovation Solution

An organic semiconductive layer comprising a phosphine oxide compound of a specific formula, characterized by certain alkyl, arylene, and heteroarylene groups, is used as an electron transport layer, electron injection layer, or n-type charge generation layer, and is electrically doped with alkali organic complexes or zero-valent metals to enhance performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

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

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

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical structure parameters of the matrix compound by introducing phosphine oxide groups with specific alkyl, arylene, and heteroarylene substituents. This structural parameter change optimizes electron transport properties, reducing operating voltage from conventional high values to below 10V while maintaining compound stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite material system by combining the phosphine oxide compound with dopants (alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, or their compounds) at ratios of 0.1-10 wt%. This composite approach enhances electron injection and transport, achieving low operating voltage and high efficiency simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If conventional electron transport materials are used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the external quantum efficiency is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexternal quantum efficiencyVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the LUMO energy level parameter of the matrix compound through phosphine oxide structural design, achieving better energy level matching with electrodes and emission layers. This parameter optimization increases external quantum efficiency to above 5% while maintaining compatibility with existing vacuum deposition manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates dopants during the layer formation process, performing the doping action preliminarily during manufacturing rather than requiring post-processing. This preliminary doping action achieves high efficiency while using standard OLED manufacturing techniques, avoiding additional manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If conventional materials are used in fluorescent blue OLEDs, then the device structure is straightforward, but the lifetime and stability are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice lifetimeVSAvoidmaterial composition complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a stable composite material system by combining the phosphine oxide matrix compound with carefully selected dopants (alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, or their compounds) in optimized ratios of 0.1-10 wt%. This composite structure protects against material degradation, extending device lifetime to above 1000 hours while maintaining a straightforward layer structure compatible with existing manufacturing.

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

The use of these compounds results in reduced operating voltage and improved external quantum efficiency and lifetime of OLEDs, leading to better stability and efficiency in fluorescent blue devices.

Implementation Method 1

an organic semiconductive layer which is an electron transport layer and/or an electron injection layer and/or an n-type charge generation layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectron transport: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

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

PatentEP3171418B1Organic semiconductive layer comprising phosphine oxide compounds
Publication Date: 2024.12.11 NOVALED GMBH
  • EP3171418B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3171418B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3171418B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The present invention relates to an organic semiconductive layer which is an electron transport layer and/or an electron injection layer and/or an n-type charge generation layer, the organic semiconductive layer comprising at least one compound of formula (1) wherein R1 and R2 are each independently selected from C1 to C16 alkyl; Ar1 is selected from C6 to C14 arylene or C3 to C12 heteroarylene; Ar2 is independently selected from C14 to C40 arylene or C8 to C40 heteroarylene; R3 is independently selected from H, C1 to C12 alkyl or C10 to C20 aryl; wherein each of Ar1, Ar2 and R3 may each independently be unsubstituted or substituted with at least one C1 to C12 alky group; n is 0 or 1; and m is 1 in case of n = 0; and m is 1 or 2 in case of n = 1, phosphine oxide compounds comprised therein and to organic electroluminescent devices comprising such layers and compounds.