Transparent Electrode Substrate Patterning to Cut Haze and ITO Cost

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing transparent LED displays using indium tin oxide (ITO) as an electrode material face limitations due to high production costs, limited indium reserves, and non-uniform light emission, necessitating the development of a cost-effective and high-performance alternative.

Innovation Solution

A method involving laminating copper foil on a transparent base material, forming a copper foil pattern, and applying a transparent photosensitive resin composition layer to expose selected parts of the pattern, thereby reducing haze and ensuring low resistance and high transmittance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a transparent electrode is formed by sequentially depositing ITO and TiO2 layers, then the transparency and conductivity are improved, but the manufacturing complexity and number of processes increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransparency and conductivityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the ITO layer and TiO2 layer into a single transparent electrode layer deposited in one process step, eliminating the need for sequential deposition of multiple layers. This merging approach maintains the dual functionality of transparency and conductivity while significantly simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing the number of deposition steps required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite material consisting of ITO and TiO2 mixed together in a slurry form, which is then deposited as a single layer. This composite approach allows both materials to work synergistically - ITO provides conductivity while TiO2 enhances transparency and structural stability - without requiring separate deposition processes for each material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If a transparent electrode is formed by sequentially depositing ITO and TiO2 layers, then the transparency and conductivity are improved, but the production time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransparency and conductivityVSAvoidproduction time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the ITO layer and TiO2 layer into a single transparent electrode layer deposited in one process step, eliminating the need for sequential deposition of multiple layers. This merging approach maintains the dual functionality of transparency and conductivity while significantly simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing the number of deposition steps required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent prepares a slurry containing both ITO and TiO2 materials in advance, with predetermined ratios and proper mixing. This preliminary preparation allows the combined layer to be deposited in a single step during manufacturing, eliminating the need for multiple sequential deposition processes and reducing overall production time while maintaining the desired electrical and optical properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If ITO and TiO2 are deposited in separate layers, then the electrical properties are optimized, but the contact resistance between layers increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical propertiesVSAvoidcontact resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the ITO layer and TiO2 layer into a single transparent electrode layer deposited in one process step, eliminating the need for sequential deposition of multiple layers. This merging approach maintains the dual functionality of transparency and conductivity while significantly simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing the number of deposition steps required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite material consisting of ITO and TiO2 mixed together in a slurry form, which is then deposited as a single layer. This composite approach allows both materials to work synergistically - ITO provides conductivity while TiO2 enhances transparency and structural stability - without requiring separate deposition processes for each material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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

This approach reduces material costs and prevents haze increase while maintaining low resistance and high transmittance, enabling efficient manufacturing of electrode substrates for transparent light-emitting devices.

Implementation Method 1

a transparent electrode which emits light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectroluminescence: Electroluminescence

Implementation Method 2

an organic light-emitting device (organic EL device)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectroluminescence: Electroluminescence

Data Source

PatentEP3686905B1Method of manufacturing electrode substrate for transparent light-emitting device display

Publication Date: 2026.05.06 LG CHEM LTD

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AI summary

A method of manufacturing an electrode substrate for a transparent light emitting device display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application comprises: laminating copper foil on a transparent base material; forming a copper foil pattern by etching the copper foil; forming a transparent photosensitive resin composition layer on a front surface of the transparent base material and the copper foil pattern; and exposing at least a part of the copper foil pattern by removing at least a part of the transparent photosensitive resin composition layer provided on the copper foil pattern.