Transparent Electroconductive Layer Moisture Resistance via Grain Boundary Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing light-transmitting electroconductive layers, particularly those with crystalline structures, face challenges in achieving low moisture permeability, which is essential for applications in touch panels, solar cells, and other devices, as they tend to have high moisture permeability, compromising their performance in harsh environments.
Innovation Solution
A transparent electroconductive layer is designed with a specific structure featuring a first and second grain boundary system where the second grain boundary branches from an intermediate portion of one first grain boundary to an adjacent one, creating a longer path for water to traverse, thereby enhancing moisture permeability resistance, and utilizing a tin-containing oxide material for excellent transparency and conductivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a crystalline transparent electroconductive layer is used to achieve low resistance properties, then electrical conductivity is improved, but moisture permeability increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the continuous grain boundaries into discontinuous sections by introducing second grain boundaries that branch from first grain boundaries. This segmentation creates a tortuous path for moisture penetration while maintaining the crystalline structure's electrical conductivity benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimensional aspect to grain boundary configuration by adding second grain boundaries that branch perpendicular to the thickness direction, transforming the simple linear grain boundaries into a three-dimensional network structure that effectively blocks moisture paths.
2Strength
If grain boundaries extend from upper surface to lower surface to provide structural continuity, then structural integrity is improved, but moisture permeability increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the continuous grain boundaries into discontinuous sections by introducing second grain boundaries that branch from first grain boundaries. This segmentation creates a tortuous path for moisture penetration while maintaining the crystalline structure's electrical conductivity benefits.
Data Source
AI summary
A transparent electroconductive layer 3 includes a first main surface 5 and a second main surface 6 facing each other in a thickness direction. The transparent electroconductive layer 3 is a single layer extending in a plane direction perpendicular to the thickness direction. The transparent electroconductive layer 3 has a plurality of crystal grains 4, a plurality of first grain boundaries 7 partitioning the plurality of crystal grains 4 and having each of one end edge 9 and another end edge 10 in the thickness direction open in each of the first main surface 5 and the second main surface 6, and a second grain boundary 8 branching from a first intermediate portion 11 of one first grain boundary 7A and reaching a second intermediate portion 12 of another first grain boundary 7B.