Soluble Organic Semiconductor Formulations for Solution Processing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices based on small-molecule organic semiconductors face challenges in cost-effective production due to the need for expensive vacuum deposition processes and have limitations in solubility, leading to reduced performance and lifetime, as well as inefficiencies in energy consumption and temperature adaptability.

Innovation Solution

A formulation comprising a solvent and functional compounds with specific structural elements that enhance solubility and performance, allowing for the use of cost-effective solution-based coating methods while maintaining or improving device properties, including high solubility-promoting structural elements and specific aromatic or heteroaromatic compounds.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If vacuum deposition processes are used for small-molecule organic semiconductors, then device performance is maintained, but production cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice performanceVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical structure of small-molecule organic semiconductors by introducing solubility-promoting groups (such as alkyl chains, alkoxy groups, or silyl groups) to change their physical parameters. This enables the materials to be processed from solution instead of requiring vacuum deposition, thereby reducing production costs while maintaining device performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates composite formulations by combining small-molecule organic semiconductors with solubility-promoting additives or host materials. This composite approach allows the materials to be processed using solution-based methods while preserving the functional properties needed for device operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If solubility is improved by modification of small-molecule compounds, then solution-based processing becomes possible, but device performance and lifetime are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesolution processing capabilityVSAvoiddevice performance and lifetime

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by introducing solubility-promoting groups at specific positions on the molecular structure (such as on side chains or peripheral positions) rather than modifying the core functional units. This localized modification maintains the electronic properties critical for device performance while improving solubility for solution processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention carefully controls the parameters of modification (type, position, and extent of solubility-promoting groups) to achieve optimal balance between solubility and performance. By adjusting these parameters, the patent enables solution processing while minimizing negative impacts on device lifetime and efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If multilayered structures are used to optimize charge separation, then device performance improves, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharge separation efficiencyVSAvoidlayer structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent develops multifunctional materials that can perform multiple roles within a single layer or component. For example, a single organic semiconductor layer is designed to simultaneously provide charge generation, charge transport, and charge separation functions, eliminating the need for multiple specialized layers and simplifying the overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges multiple functions that were traditionally distributed across separate layers into integrated functional units. By combining charge-transport, charge-injection, and charge-blocking properties within fewer layers or interfaces, the patent reduces manufacturing complexity while maintaining effective charge separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10490747B2Formulations and electronic devices

Publication Date: 2019.11.26 MERCK PATENT GMBH

AI summary

A formulation comprising at least one solvent and at least two different functional compounds of formula (I)AB]k (I)whereinA is a functional structural element, the structural element serving as host material, as a unit that has hole-injection and/or hole-transport properties, as a unit t at has electron-injection and/or electron-transport properties, as a unit which has light-emitting properties, or as a unit which improves the transfer from the singlet state to the triplet state of light-emitting compounds;B is a solubility-promoting structural element; andk is an integer in the range from 1 to 20;the molecular weight of the functional compound is at least 550 g/mol, and the solubility-promoting structural element B conforms to the general formula (L-I)