| From cell phones to large screen TVs, the evolution of display technology is changing rapidly . . . manufacturers are demanding thinner screens, brighter images and lower energy consumption. Frequently the improved performance is being led by breakthrough advances in material science and innovative chemistry.
Anticipating industry demands, Air Products is developing a special family of polymers—inherently conducting polymers (ICPs) based on the thieno[3,4-b]thiophene (TT) monomer. This polymer family will open up opportunities in numerous applications, but particularly in the high growth organic electronics market. Unlike traditional monomers based on a six-membered aliphatic ring fused to a thiophene core, the TT monomers possess two aromatic and completely planar rings. This unique architecture ensures efficient pi stacking and allows precise tuning of the electronic properties of the inherently conducting polymer.
Structure of thieno[3,4b]thiophene:
pi conjugation is extended over both rings
For more than 30 years Air Products has been a leading supplier of specialty materials (gases and chemicals) to the silicon semiconductor, compound semiconductor and recently the fast growing flat panel display markets. We have applied that knowledge and strong industry relationships, and an exclusive conductive polymer technology license from the University of Connecticut, to extend our leading position in conventional inorganic electronics to organic electronic materials.
Hole Injection Layer Materials for OLEDs
Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLEDs) has become one of the most coveted areas in display research. Our Air Products® HIL Conducting Polymers have demonstrated state-of-the-art performance as the Hole Injecting Layer in Polymer Light Emitting Diodes (P-OLEDs). P-OLEDs based on our HIL materials exhibit lifetime to half luminance up to 10 times longer than conventional HIL materials based on competing thiophene polymers. In many cases, P-OLEDs based on Air Products® HIL conducting polymers show lifetimes in a simple two layer architecture equivalent or better than devices based on competing HILs in a complex architecture utilizing a protective interlayer material. The ability to achieve long lifetime with a simple two layer architecture has many advantages for the display maker, including:
- Reduced process steps for higher device yields
- Reduced capital requirements for additional deposition tools
- Reduced fab footprint
Air Products is working with leading P-OLED device makers to commercialize our promising technology. Our first series of offerings will advance their devices for spincoated monochrome passive matrix P-OLEDs. We plan to follow our first series with materials suitable for active matrix displays patterned by ink jet printing. We are also actively exploring the use of our materials in Small Molecule OLEDs (SMOLEDs) in combination with other active layers applied by vacuum thermal evaporation.
Our application scientists welcome the opportunity to discuss your specific needs. Call 1-800-345-3148 (outside U.S. and Canada 610-481-6799) or e-mail us at cheminfo@airproducts.com.
The information contained herein is offered without charge for use by technically qualified personnel at their discretion and risk. All statements, technical information and recommendations contained herein are based on tests and data which we believe to be reliable, but the accuracy or completeness thereof is not guaranteed and no warranty of any kind is made respect thereto. |
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