Transparent Electrode with Gradient Polymer Acid Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional transparent electrodes, such as ITO-based electrodes, face challenges in productivity, flexibility, and conductivity, particularly in large-area applications, and struggle to balance transparency and conductivity, leading to issues like current leakage and reduced efficiency in organic electronic elements.
Innovation Solution
A transparent electrode comprising a metal conductive layer with a patterned metal thin line and a polymer conductive layer containing a conductive polymer with a fluorinated and non-fluorinated polymer acid, where the fluorinated polymer acid concentration increases towards the surface, providing a surface specific resistance of 10,000Ω/□ or less, enhancing hole injection function and conductivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a patterned metal conductive layer is used to improve conductivity, then electro-conductivity is improved, but surface irregularities cause current leakage and make it difficult to form thin hole injection layers
Solution Approach 1:
A polymer conductive layer is introduced as an intermediary between the patterned metal conductive layer and the hole injection layer. This polymer layer has superior surface smoothness that eliminates the surface irregularities of the metal layer, preventing current leakage while maintaining high conductivity. The polymer layer acts as a mediator that preserves the electrical benefits of the metal layer while eliminating its surface defects.
2Illumination intensity
If conductive polymer is used to improve transparency and conductivity, then transparency is improved, but the polymer swells and re-dissolves when hole injection layer is formed, producing dark spots and reducing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a composite structure combining patterned metal conductive layer and polymer conductive layer. The metal layer provides the structural framework and primary conductivity, while the polymer layer provides transparency and surface smoothness. This composite approach allows the polymer to be present in a controlled manner that prevents swelling and re-dissolution issues while maintaining its transparency and conductivity benefits.
3Reliability
If ITO-based transparent electrode is used to achieve good electro-conductivity and transparency, then transparency and electro-conductivity are improved, but productivity is low due to single-substrate-oriented nature and poor adaptability to large-area elements
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive layer is segmented into a patterned metal conductive layer with a specific geometric pattern. This segmentation allows the electrode to be manufactured using printing or coating techniques that can process large areas efficiently, unlike conventional ITO deposition which requires vacuum processes on single substrates. The patterned structure maintains electrical connectivity while enabling high-productivity manufacturing methods.
4Reliability
If conductive polymer with fluorinated polymer acid is used to improve hole injection function, then hole injection is improved, but it is difficult to balance transparency and conductivity
Solution Approach 1:
The polymer conductive layer is applied locally over the patterned metal conductive layer rather than as a uniform thick layer across the entire substrate. This localized application provides sufficient hole injection function at the interfaces where it is most needed, while minimizing the overall polymer quantity to maintain transparency. The patterned metal layer beneath provides the additional conductivity needed to compensate for the reduced polymer thickness.
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 solution achieves high conductivity and transparency, improving the efficiency and productivity of organic electronic elements by smoothing surface irregularities and optimizing the hole injection function, thereby enhancing the performance and service life of these elements.
Implementation Method 1
a polymer conductive layer comprising a conductive polymer containing a polymer acid, in which the polymer conductive layer has a surface specific resistance of 10,000Ω/□ or smaller
Implementation Method 2
the polymer acid contains a fluorinated polymer acid and a non-fluorinated polymer acid, and in the polymer conductive layer, a concentration of the fluorinated polymer acid increases along a direction from the transparent substrate towards the polymer conductive layer
Data Source
AI summary
A transparent electrode (1) comprises a transparent substrate (2); a metal conductive layer (4) composed of a metal thin line pattern; and a polymer conductive layer (6) including a conductive polymer containing a polymer acid. The metal conductive layer (4) is formed on/over the transparent substrate (2) and the metal conductive layer (4) is covered with the polymer conductive layer (6). The polymer conductive layer (6) has a surface specific resistance of 10,000Ω/□ or smaller and the polymer acid contains a fluorinated polymer acid and a non-fluorinated polymer acid. In the polymer conductive layer (6) a concentration of the fluorinated polymer acid increases along a direction from the transparent substrate (2) towards the polymer conductive layer (6).