Transparent Composite Conductors with High Work Function
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current transparent conductors, such as ITO and carbon nanotubes, have work functions below 5.0 eV, which limits their application in electronic devices that require higher work functions.
Innovation Solution
A composite conductor is developed comprising a first layer with a work function less than 5.0 eV, typically made of transparent conductive materials like ITO, combined with a second layer of fluoropolymeric acid or fluorinated polysulfonimide, where the second layer has a thickness less than 100 nm, enhancing the overall work function to greater than 5.0 eV.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional transparent conductive materials (ITO, IZO, silver, carbon nanotubes) are used, then the conductor maintains good transparency and conductivity, but the work function remains below 5.0 eV which limits device application
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining a transparent conductive material layer (ITO, IZO, silver, or carbon nanotubes) with a fluorinated polymeric acid layer. This composite structure achieves a work function greater than 5.0 eV while maintaining transparency and conductivity, resolving the limitation of traditional single-material transparent conductors that could not achieve sufficiently high work functions for various electronic devices.
2Reliability
If a fluorinated polymeric acid layer is added to increase work function, then the work function exceeds 5.0 eV, but the device complexity increases due to additional layer deposition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a thin film approach by depositing a fluorinated polymeric acid layer with thickness between 0.1 nm to 10 nm on the transparent conductive material. This thin film configuration increases the work function to above 5.0 eV while minimizing the added structural complexity and maintaining the overall simplicity of the device architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a transparent composite conductor. The composite conductor has a first layer that includes a transparent conductive material and a second layer that includes a fluorinated acid polymer.