Conductive layer and organic electroluminescent device including the same

Abstract

In a method of forming a conductive layer, a conductive layer formed using the method, an organic electroluminescent device including the conductive layer, and a method of manufacturing the organic electroluminescent device, the method of forming the conductive layer comprises: pre-treating a substrate in order to improve adhesive force; coating a mixture solution which contains a sulfonate-based catalyst and a solvent on the substrate, and then drying the coated product; and performing vapor-phase polymerization by contacting the substrate on which the catalyst is coated with monomers which make up a conductive polymer in a vapor phase. The conductive layer obtained using the method of forming a conductive layer has high conductivity, high transmittance with respect to light having a wavelength of 300 nm to 700 nm, uniform thickness, and thermal-chemical stability.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete appreciation of the invention, and many of the attendant advantages thereof, will be readily apparent as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference symbols indicate the same or similar components, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an organic electroluminescent device:

FIG. 2 is an atomic force microscope (AFM) image of the surface of the conductive layer prepared according to Example 4 (set forth below);

FIG. 3 shows an energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectrum of the surface of the conductive layer prepared according to Example 4 (set forth below);

FIG. 4 is a graph of efficiency with respect to voltage of the organic electroluminescent devices manufactured according to Example 5 (set forth below) and Comparative Example 3 (set forth below); and

FIG. 5 is a graph of brightness with respect to voltage of the organic electroluminescent devices manufactured according to Example 5 (set forth below) and Comparative Example 3 (set forth below).

Claims

1. A method of forming a conductive layer, comprising the steps of: pre-treating a substrate to improve an adhesive force;coating a mixture solution which contains a sulfonate-based catalyst and a solvent on the substrate to produce a coated product, and then drying the coated product; andperforming vapor-phase polymerization by contacting the substrate with monomers that make up a conductive polymer in a vapor phase.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the pre-treating step comprises performing at least one treatment selected from a group consisting of a cleaning treatment using a solvent, a plasma treatment, an ultraviolet ray irradiation treatment, and an amine vapor-phase treatment.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the substrate is formed of a material selected from a group consisting of glass, polyethylene telephthalate(PET), polyethylenenaphthalate(PEN), polyethersulfone(PES), polyimide, polypropylene, cellopane, polyvinylchloride(PVC), metal, and one of stainless steel and aluminum covered with a metal film having a thickness in a range of 1 to 100 microns.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the sulfonate-based catalyst is represented by formula 1: MX   (1)where M is selected from a group consisting of Fe, Mg, Mn, Co, Ni, and Zn; andX is selected from a group consisting of p-toluenesulfonate, dodecylbenzenesulfonate, 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonate, 4-morpholinepropanesulfonate, 4-pyridineethanesulfonate, and 3-pyridinesulfonate.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the solvent comprises at least one alcohol selected from a group consisting of n-butanol, isopropanol, ethanol, methanol, and a mixture thereof.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the mixture solution includes the sulfonate-based catalyst in a range of 0.1 to 10 mole based on 1 liter of the solvent.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the conductive polymer comprises at least one material selected from a group consisting of EDOT (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) monomer, thiophene, aniline, pyrrol, vinylcarbazole, and a derivative thereof.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein a mole ratio of the conductive polymer to the sulfonate-based catalyst is in a range of 1:5 to 1:30.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the mixture solution further comprises an oxidant selected from a group consisting of AuCl3, MgCl2, H2PtCl6.6H2O, (HAuCl4.H2O)AgNO3, Na2PdCl4, NiCl2, FeCl3, and CuCl2.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the mixture solution includes the sulfonate-based catalyst in a range of 0.1 ti 30 mole based on 1 liter of the solvent.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein a mole ratio of the conductive polymer to the oxidant is in a range of 1:10 to 1:20.

12. A conductive layer which is formed using the method of claims 1.

13. The conductive layer of claim 12, wherein the conductive layer comprises nano composite particles that comprise a conductive polymer and a metal.

14. The conductive layer of claim 12, wherein an electrical conductivity of the conductive layer is in a range of 0.01 S/cm to 1,000 S/cm.

15. An organic electroluminescent device comprising at least one layer selected from a group consisting of an anode, a hole injection layer, a hole transfer layer, an electron transfer layer, an electron injection layer, and a cathode, wherein said at least one layer comprises the conductive layer of claim 12.

16. A method of manufacturing an organic electroluminescent device, comprising the steps of: forming an anode on a substrate;forming a hole injection layer on the anode;forming a hole transfer layer on the hole injection layer;forming an emission layer on the hole transfer layer; andforming a cathode on the emission layer;wherein at least one of the anode, the hole injection layer, the hole transfer layer, and the cathode comprises the conductive layer of claim 12.