Silicon-Containing Anion in Light-Emitting Electrochemical Cells

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing light-emitting electrochemical cells do not adequately investigate the impact of anion types on light emission characteristics, limiting the improvement of light emission efficiency.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an ionic compound with an anion containing a silicon atom into the light-emitting layer, specifically using a silicon-containing group linked via a hydrocarbon group, to enhance light emission efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If conventional anions (PF6, TFSI, TF, PTS) are used in the ionic compound, then the light-emitting electrochemical cell can operate with basic ion mobility, but the light emission efficiency remains limited and cannot be sufficiently improved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight emission efficiencyVSAvoidanion type compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameter of the anion by introducing a silicon atom into the anion structure (specifically in the sulfonate group). This parameter change in the ionic compound's molecular structure leads to improved light emission efficiency while maintaining the necessary ion mobility and electrical double layer formation capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite ionic compound by combining a cation (quaternary ammonium or quaternary phosphonium ion) with a novel anion containing a silicon atom in the sulfonate group. This composite structure leverages the beneficial properties of both components to achieve enhanced light emission efficiency that neither component could achieve alone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If the light-emitting layer uses a simple structure without multilayer configuration, then manufacturing cost is reduced and mass production is facilitated, but light emission efficiency and performance are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidlight emission efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameter of the light-emitting layer by incorporating an ionic compound with a silicon-containing anion. This compositional change enables the single-layer structure to achieve high light emission efficiency that would normally require complex multilayer configurations, thus resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 a silicon-containing anion improves light emission efficiency in light-emitting electrochemical cells, surpassing the efficiency achieved with conventional anions, particularly due to increased compatibility with light-emitting materials.

Implementation Method 1

Light-emitting electrochemical cells (LECs) are self-luminous devices including a light-emitting layer made of a light-emitting material to which an electrolyte has been added

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectroluminescence: Electroluminescence

Implementation Method 2

Addition of an ionic compound ensures ion mobility and allows easy formation of an electrical double layer, thereby promoting injection of holes and electrons

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIonic compound ion mobility: Fast Ion Conductor

Data Source

PatentEP3565017B1Electrochemical light emitting cell
Publication Date: 2022.07.20 NISSHINBO HOLDINGS INC
  • EP3565017B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3565017B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3565017B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Provided is a light-emitting electrochemical cell including a light-emitting layer 3, a first electrode 1, and a second electrode 2, wherein the light-emitting layer contains an ionic compound and the ionic compound contains an anion having a silicon atom. The anion has a silicon-containing group represented, for example, by SiR1R2R3 (R1 to R3 are all bonded directly to Si) and an anion group. The anion group is represented, for example, by -SO3-, -OSO3-, or -OP(OR0)O3-. R0 to R3 are each independently an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Two alkyl groups selected from R1, R2, and R3 are optionally bonded to each other to form an alkylene group having 4 or 5 carbon atoms and constituting a cyclic structure together with the silicon atom.