Quantum Dot Ink Storage Stability via Oxygen Scavenging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Quantum dots are less efficient under operating conditions of heat and light flux when exposed to oxygen, necessitating a substantially oxygen-free environment for storage and transport to maintain their performance.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating oxygen into quantum dot formulations during storage or transport, followed by its removal before use, using methods such as bubbling, diffusion, or using an inert atmosphere to inhibit polymerization and scavenge free radicals, and then degassing to create an oxygen-free environment for optimal performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If quantum dot formulations are stored under oxygen environment, then ease of storage and transport is improved, but quantum dot efficiency and reliability deteriorate due to photo-oxidation and polymerization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by adding oxygen scavengers and polymerization inhibitors to the quantum dot formulation before storage. This pre-preparation allows the formulation to be stored under oxygen environment without suffering from photo-oxidation and polymerization, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of storage and quantum dot efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses oxygen scavengers and polymerization inhibitors as intermediary substances that mediate between the quantum dots and the oxygen environment. These intermediaries consume oxygen and inhibit harmful reactions, allowing the quantum dots to maintain efficiency while being stored under oxygen environment.
2Reliability
If oxygen is removed from quantum dot formulations, then quantum dot efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases due to specialized storage requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by incorporating oxygen scavengers that automatically consume oxygen in the formulation during storage. This self-acting mechanism eliminates the need for complex external oxygen removal systems, maintaining quantum dot efficiency while simplifying storage and transport requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the formulation by adding oxygen scavengers and inhibitors. This parameter change transforms the formulation from one requiring strict oxygen exclusion to one that can tolerate oxygen environment, thus reducing storage complexity while maintaining efficiency.
3Stability of the object's composition
If polymerization inhibitors are added to quantum dot formulations, then polymerization is inhibited, but formulation composition complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by adding polymerization inhibitors specifically to the polymerizable species in the formulation. This targeted approach provides local protection against polymerization at the molecular level without requiring complex overall formulation changes, thus maintaining formulation stability with minimal composition complexity.
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 approach allows quantum dot formulations to maintain efficiency and reliability by preventing unwanted polymerization and photo-oxidation, ensuring stable performance in devices like solid-state lighting and LCD displays.
Implementation Method 1
oxygen is included in the quantum dot formulation by diffusion
Implementation Method 2
oxygen is included into a quantum dot formulation in an amount effective to scavenge free radicals
Implementation Method 3
all or substantially all oxygen is removed from the quantum dot formulation, or all or substantially all gas is removed from the quantum dot formulation
Data Source
AI summary
A method of storing and transporting quantum dot formulations is provided. The method includes storing and/or transporting the quantum dot formulation under an oxygen-containing atmosphere. A sparged and degassed quantum dot formulation is also described.