WO2012161005A1 - Organic electroluminescence element - Google Patents

Abstract

In order to provide an organic electroluminescence element capable of reducing uneven brightness and capable of improving external quantum efficiency, this organic electroluminescence element is provided with a substrate (10), a first electrode (20), second electrodes (40), a functional layer (30) that exists between the first electrode (20) and the second electrodes (40) and includes a light-emitting layer (32), and a conductive layer (50). The resistivities of the first electrode (20) and the second electrodes (40) are less than the resistivity of a transparent conductive oxide. Openings for extracting light are formed on the second electrodes (40). The functional layer (30) includes, as the outermost layer on the second electrode (40) side, a first carrier-blocking layer (33) for suppressing leaks of a first carrier, which is injected in the functional layer (30) from the first electrode (20), to the second electrode (40) side. The conductive layer (50) is in contact with the second electrodes (40) and the functional layer (30), and has a second carrier injection function and optical transparency. The first carrier blocking layer (33) is provided with recesses (38) in a projection region of the openings.

Description

Organic electroluminescence device

The present invention relates to an organic electroluminescence element.

Conventionally, an organic electroluminescence element having the structure shown in FIG. 7 has been proposed (for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2006-331694; see Patent Document 1). In this organic electroluminescence element, one electrode (cathode) 101 is laminated on the surface of the substrate 104, a light emitting layer 103 is laminated on the surface of the electrode 101 via an electron injection / transport layer 105, and on the light emitting layer 103. The other electrode (anode) 102 is laminated via the hole injection / transport layer 106. In addition, the organic electroluminescence element includes a sealing member 107 on the surface side of the substrate 104. Therefore, in this organic electroluminescence element, light emitted from the light emitting layer 103 is radiated through the electrode 102 formed as a light transmissive electrode and the sealing member 107 formed of a transparent body.

Examples of the material of the reflective electrode 101 include Al, Zr, Ti, Y, Sc, Ag, and In. Examples of the material of the electrode 102 which is a light transmissive electrode include indium-tin oxide (ITO) and indium-zinc oxide (IZO).

By the way, in order to light the organic electroluminescence element with high brightness, it is necessary to pass a larger current. However, since the organic electroluminescence element generally has a higher sheet resistance of an anode made of an ITO film than that of a cathode made of a metal film, an alloy film, a metal compound film, etc., the potential gradient at the anode is high. As a result, the in-plane variation in luminance increases.

In addition, as an electroluminescence lamp that solves the problems of the conventional structure including an electrode made of an ITO film formed by sputtering, an electroluminescence lamp constructed without using an electrode made of an ITO film Has been proposed (see, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2002-502540; hereinafter referred to as Patent Document 2). For example, as shown in FIG. 8, Patent Document 2 includes a first conductive layer 220, an electroluminescent material 230, a second conductive layer 240, and a substrate 245, and the first conductive layer 220 has a rectangular shape. An electroluminescent lamp 210 composed of a rectangular grid electrode having openings 250 has been proposed.

Here, Patent Document 2 describes that it is preferable to form the first conductive layer 220 and the second conductive layer 240 with conductive ink such as silver ink or carbon ink. Patent Document 2 describes that the first conductive layer 220, the electroluminescent material 230, and the second conductive layer 240 are formed by a screen printing method, an offset printing method, or the like.

Note that Patent Document 2 describes that when the electroluminescence lamp 210 having uniform brightness is required, the density of the openings 250 is made substantially constant over the surface of the lamp.

By the way, in the electroluminescent lamp 210 having the configuration shown in FIG. 8, the first conductive layer 220 has the opening 250, and thus the first conductive layer 220 in the electroluminescent material 230 has the first conductive layer 220. Carriers are injected only into the portion immediately below the layer 220. For this reason, in the electroluminescence lamp 210, there is a concern that the light emission efficiency at the portion corresponding to the opening 250 in the electroluminescence material 230 is lowered, and the external quantum efficiency is lowered.

The present invention has been made in view of the above reasons, and an object of the present invention is to provide an organic electroluminescence device capable of reducing luminance unevenness and improving external quantum efficiency. is there.

The organic electroluminescence device of the present invention includes a substrate, a first electrode provided on one surface side of the substrate, a second electrode facing the first electrode on the one surface side of the substrate, and the first electrode An organic electroluminescence element comprising a functional layer including a light emitting layer between an electrode and the second electrode, wherein the resistivity of each of the first electrode and the second electrode is a transparent conductive oxide Lower than resistivity, the functional layer is the outermost layer on the second electrode side than the light emitting layer, and the first carrier injected from the first electrode to the functional layer is directed to the second electrode side. A first carrier blocking layer that suppresses leakage; and the second electrode has an opening for extracting light from the functional layer, and the opening includes the second electrode and the functional layer. Second carrier injection function A conductive layer having light transparency is provided, the conductive layer covers the second electrode, and the first carrier blocking layer is provided with a recess in a projection region of the opening. And

In this organic electroluminescent element, the distance from the projection region of the second electrode to the inner surface close to the projection region increases as the recess moves away from the second electrode in the thickness direction of the first carrier blocking layer. It is preferably formed in a shape.

In this organic electroluminescence element, the second electrode is preferably composed of an electrode containing a metal powder and an organic binder.

In this organic electroluminescence element, the conductive layer is preferably formed of a transparent conductive film including a conductive nanostructure and a transparent medium.

In this organic electroluminescence element, it is preferable that the first carrier blocking layer has a thickness of a projection region of the opening portion smaller than a thickness of a projection region of the second electrode.

In the organic electroluminescence device of the present invention, it is possible to reduce luminance unevenness and improve external quantum efficiency.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in further detail. Other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood with reference to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.
1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an organic electroluminescence element of Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of a second electrode in the organic electroluminescence element of Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a main part of the organic electroluminescence element of Embodiment 1. FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view of another configuration example of the second electrode in the organic electroluminescence element of Embodiment 1. FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view of another configuration example of the second electrode in the organic electroluminescence element of Embodiment 1. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a main part of an organic electroluminescence element of Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a schematic sectional drawing of the organic electroluminescent element of a prior art example. It is a see-through | perspective upper surface and sectional drawing of the electroluminescent lamp of a prior art example.

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, the organic electroluminescence device of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

The organic electroluminescence element includes a substrate 10, a first electrode 20 provided on one surface side (the upper side in FIG. 1) of the substrate 10, and a second electrode facing the first electrode 20 on the one surface side of the substrate 10. 40 and a functional layer 30 including the light emitting layer 32 between the first electrode 20 and the second electrode 40.

That is, the electroluminescent element of the present embodiment includes the first electrode 20 and the second electrode 40 that are disposed to face each other, and the functional layer 30 that is disposed between the first electrode 20 and the second electrode 40. ing.

The organic electroluminescence element has a first terminal portion (not shown) electrically connected to the first electrode 20 via a first lead wiring (not shown), and a second lead to the second electrode 40. And a second terminal portion 47 electrically connected via the wiring 46. The first lead wiring, the first terminal portion, the second lead wiring 46 and the second terminal portion 47 are provided on the one surface side of the substrate 10. In the organic electroluminescence element, an insulating film 60 that electrically insulates the second lead wiring 46 from the functional layer 30, the first electrode 20, and the first lead wiring is provided on the one surface side of the substrate 10. . The insulating film 60 is formed across the one surface of the substrate 10, the side surface of the first electrode 20, the side surface of the functional layer 30, and the outer peripheral portion of the surface of the functional layer 30 on the second electrode 40 side.

Further, the organic electroluminescence element has a resistivity (electrical resistivity) of each of the first electrode 20 and the second electrode 40 that is higher than a resistivity (electrical resistivity) of a transparent conductive oxide (TCO). It is low. Examples of the transparent conductive oxide include ITO, AZO, GZO, and IZO. The resistivity of such a transparent conductive oxide is not particularly limited, but is exemplified as 1 × 10 ⁻⁴ to 1 × 10 ⁻³ Ω · cm.

Further, in the organic electroluminescence element, the functional layer 30 is the outermost layer on the second electrode 40 side with respect to the light emitting layer 32, and the second carrier 40 side of the first carrier injected from the first electrode 20 into the functional layer 30. The first carrier blocking layer 33 that suppresses leakage to the substrate is included.

Further, the second electrode 40 is formed with an opening 41 for extracting light from the functional layer 30. That is, in the organic electroluminescence element, the second electrode 40 has an opening 41 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) for extracting light from the functional layer 30.

In addition, the organic electroluminescence element is provided with a conductive layer 50 which is in contact with the second electrode 40 and the functional layer 30 (first carrier blocking layer 33) and has a second carrier injection function and light transmittance. Thereby, the organic electroluminescence element can extract light from the second electrode 40 side. In short, the organic electroluminescence element of the present embodiment can be used as a top emission type organic electroluminescence element.

The conductive layer 50 covers the second electrode 40. The conductive layer 50 of the present embodiment covers the second electrode 40 and the first carrier blocking layer 33. The first carrier blocking layer 33 is provided with a recess 38 in the projection area of the opening 41.

The organic electroluminescence element has a cover substrate 70 that is disposed opposite to the one surface side of the substrate 10 and has translucency, and a frame shape (this embodiment) interposed between the peripheral portion of the substrate 10 and the peripheral portion of the cover substrate 70. In the embodiment, it is preferable to include a frame portion 80 having a rectangular frame shape. In addition, the organic electroluminescence element includes the element portion 1 including the first electrode 20, the functional layer 30, the second electrode 40, the conductive layer 50, and the like in a space surrounded by the substrate 10, the cover substrate 70, and the frame portion 80. It is preferable to include a sealing portion 90 made of a light-transmitting material (for example, a light-transmitting resin) to be sealed.

Hereinafter, each component of the organic electroluminescence element will be described in detail.

The substrate 10 has a rectangular shape in plan view. Here, the planar view shape of the substrate 10 is not limited to a rectangular shape, and may be, for example, a polygonal shape or a circular shape other than the rectangular shape.

The glass substrate is used as the substrate 10, but is not limited thereto, and for example, a plastic plate or a metal plate may be used. As a material for the glass substrate, for example, soda lime glass, non-alkali glass, or the like can be employed. Moreover, as a material of the plastic plate, for example, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polyethersulfone, polycarbonate, or the like can be employed. Moreover, as a material of the metal plate, for example, aluminum, copper, stainless steel, or the like can be employed. In the case of using a plastic plate, it is preferable to suppress moisture permeation by using a plastic substrate having a SiON film, SiN film, or the like formed on the surface thereof. The substrate 10 may be rigid or flexible.

When a glass substrate is used as the substrate 10, the unevenness on the one surface of the substrate 10 may cause a leak current of the organic electroluminescence element (may cause deterioration of the organic electroluminescence element). . For this reason, when a glass substrate is used as the substrate 10, it is preferable to prepare a glass substrate for element formation that is polished with high accuracy so that the surface roughness of the one surface is reduced. Regarding the surface roughness of the one surface of the substrate 10, the arithmetic average roughness Ra specified in JIS B 0601-2001 (ISO 4287-1997) is preferably 10 nm or less, and preferably several nm or less. More preferable. On the other hand, when a plastic plate is used as the substrate 10, it is possible to obtain at low cost an arithmetic average roughness Ra of one surface or less of the above-mentioned surface without particularly high precision polishing. It is.

The glass substrate is used as the cover substrate 70, but is not limited thereto, and for example, a plastic plate or the like may be used. As a material for the glass substrate, for example, soda lime glass, non-alkali glass, or the like can be employed. Moreover, as a material of the plastic plate, for example, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polyethersulfone, polycarbonate, or the like can be employed.

In the present embodiment, a flat substrate is used as the cover substrate 70, but is not limited to this, and a substrate in which a storage recess for storing the above-described element unit 1 is formed on the surface facing the substrate 10 is used. The peripheral portion of the storage recess on the facing surface may be joined to the substrate 10 side over the entire circumference. In other words, a box-shaped cover substrate 70 having an open surface may be used, the element unit 1 may be accommodated inside the cover substrate 70, and the peripheral edge of the opening of the cover substrate 70 may be bonded to the substrate 10 side. In this case, there is an advantage that it is not necessary to use the frame part 80 which is a separate member. On the other hand, in the case where the flat cover substrate 70 and the frame-shaped frame portion 80 are configured by separate members, optical properties (light transmittance, refractive index, etc.) required for the cover substrate 70, There is an advantage that it is possible to employ a material that satisfies both the physical properties required for the frame portion 80 (such as gas barrier properties).

On the outer surface side (the surface side opposite to the substrate 10 side; upper side in FIG. 1) of the cover substrate 70, a light extraction structure (not shown) that suppresses reflection of light emitted from the light emitting layer 32 on the outer surface. ). Examples of such a light extraction structure part include an uneven structure part having a two-dimensional periodic structure. The period of such a two-dimensional periodic structure is such that when the wavelength of light emitted from the light emitting layer 32 is in the range of 300 to 800 nm, for example, the wavelength in the medium is λ (the wavelength in vacuum is divided by the refractive index of the medium). Value), it is desirable to set appropriately within the range of 1/4 to 10 times the wavelength λ. Such an uneven structure portion is formed in advance on the outer surface side of the cover substrate 70 by, for example, an imprint method such as a thermal imprint method (thermal nanoimprint method) or an optical imprint method (photo nanoimprint method). It is possible. Further, depending on the material of the cover substrate 70, the cover substrate 70 may be formed by injection molding, and the uneven structure portion may be directly formed on the cover substrate 70 by using an appropriate mold at the time of injection molding. Further, the concavo-convex structure portion can also be configured by a member different from the cover substrate 70, for example, a prism sheet (for example, a light diffusion film such as Lightup (registered trademark) GM3 manufactured by Kimoto Co., Ltd.). Can be configured.

In the organic electroluminescence element of this embodiment, by providing the above-described light extraction structure portion, it is possible to reduce the reflection loss of the light emitted from the light emitting layer 32 and reaching the outer surface side of the cover substrate 70, and to improve the light extraction efficiency. Can be achieved.

Although the epoxy resin is used as the first bonding material for bonding the frame portion 80 and the one surface side of the substrate 10, the first bonding material is not limited thereto, and for example, an acrylic resin may be used. The epoxy resin or acrylic resin used as the first bonding material may be, for example, an ultraviolet curable type or a thermosetting type. Moreover, you may use what made the epoxy resin contain a filler (for example, a silica, an alumina, etc.) as a 1st joining material. Here, the frame portion 80 is airtightly bonded to the one surface side of the substrate 10 over the entire periphery of the surface of the frame portion 80 facing the substrate 10 side. Moreover, as a 2nd joining material which joins the flame | frame part 80 and the cover board | substrate 70, although an epoxy resin is used, you may employ | adopt not only this but an acrylic resin, frit glass, etc., for example. The epoxy resin or acrylic resin used as the second bonding material may be, for example, an ultraviolet curable type or a thermosetting type. Moreover, you may use what made the epoxy resin contain a filler (for example, silica, alumina, etc.) as a 2nd joining material. Here, the frame portion 80 is airtightly bonded to the cover substrate 70 over the entire circumference of the surface of the frame portion 80 facing the cover substrate 70.

As a material of the insulating film 60, for example, polyimide, novolac resin, epoxy resin, or the like can be used.

As the translucent material that is a material of the sealing portion 90, for example, a translucent resin such as an epoxy resin or a silicone resin can be used, but a material having a small refractive index difference from the functional layer 30 is more preferable. . The light transmissive material may be a light transmissive resin mixed with a light diffusing material made of glass or the like. Further, as the translucent material, an organic / inorganic hybrid material in which an organic component and an inorganic component are mixed and bonded at the nm level or molecular level may be used.

In the organic electroluminescence element of this embodiment, the first electrode 20 constitutes a cathode and the second electrode 40 constitutes an anode. The functional layer 30 includes a first carrier injection layer 31, a light emitting layer 32, and a first carrier blocking layer 33 in order from the first electrode 20 side. As shown in FIG. 1, in the functional layer 30 of this embodiment, a first carrier injection layer 31 is formed in contact with the first electrode 20. A light emitting layer 32 is formed in contact with the first carrier injection layer 31. A first carrier blocking layer 33 is formed in contact with the light emitting layer 32. The second electrode 40 is formed in contact with the first carrier blocking layer 33. Here, the first carrier injected from the first electrode 20 into the functional layer 30 is an electron, and the second carrier injected from the second electrode 40 into the functional layer 30 is a hole. The first carrier injection layer 31 on the first electrode 20 side in the light emitting layer 32 is an electron injection layer. Moreover, the 1st carrier blocking layer 33 is an interlayer and is comprised with an electronic blocking layer. In the case where the first electrode 20 constitutes an anode and the second electrode 40 constitutes a cathode, for example, a hole injection layer is adopted as the first carrier injection layer 31 and the first carrier blocking layer 33 is formed as an interface. What is necessary is just to comprise a layer by a hole blocking layer.

The structure of the above-described functional layer 30 is not limited to the above-described example. For example, a first carrier transport layer (here, an electron transport layer) is provided between the first carrier injection layer 31 and the light emitting layer 32, or the light emitting layer. A structure in which a second carrier transport layer (here, a hole transport layer) is provided between the first carrier blocking layer 33 and the first carry blocking layer 33 may be used. The functional layer 30 only needs to include the light emitting layer 32 and the first carrier blocking layer 33 (that is, the functional layer 30 may be only the light emitting layer 32 and the first carrier blocking layer 33). The first carrier injection layer 31, the first carrier transport layer, the second carrier transport layer, and the like other than 32 and the first carrier blocking layer 33 may be provided as appropriate. The light emitting layer 32 may have a single layer structure or a multilayer structure. For example, when the desired emission color is white, the emission layer may be doped with three types of dopant dyes of red, green, and blue, or the blue hole-transporting emission layer and the green electron-transporting property. A laminated structure of a light emitting layer and a red electron transporting light emitting layer may be adopted, or a laminated structure of a blue electron transporting light emitting layer, a green electron transporting light emitting layer and a red electron transporting light emitting layer may be adopted. Good.

Examples of the material of the light emitting layer 32 include polyparaphenylene vinylene derivatives, polythiophene derivatives, polyparaphenylene derivatives, polysilane derivatives, polyacetylene derivatives, and the like, polyfluorene derivatives, polyvinylcarbazole derivatives, dye bodies, and metal complex light emitting materials. Such as anthracene, naphthalene, pyrene, tetracene, coronene, perylene, phthaloperylene, naphthaloperylene, diphenylbutadiene, tetraphenylbutadiene, coumarin, oxadiazole, bisbenzoxazoline, bisstyryl, cyclopentadiene, quinoline metal complex, tris (8-hydroxyquinolinato) aluminum complex, tris (4-methyl-8-quinolinato) aluminum complex, tris (5-phenyl-8-quinolinato) Luminium complex, aminoquinoline metal complex, benzoquinoline metal complex, tri- (p-terphenyl-4-yl) amine, pyran, quinacridone, rubrene, and derivatives thereof, or 1-aryl-2,5-di ( 2-thienyl) pyrrole derivatives, distyrylbenzene derivatives, styrylarylene derivatives, styrylamine derivatives, and compounds having a group consisting of these luminescent compounds in a part of the molecule. In addition to fluorescent dye-derived compounds represented by the above compounds, so-called phosphorescent materials, for example, luminescent materials such as iridium complexes, osmium complexes, platinum complexes, and europium complexes, or compounds or polymers having these in the molecule Can also be suitably used. These materials can be appropriately selected and used as necessary. The light emitting layer 32 is preferably formed by a wet process such as a coating method (for example, spin coating method, spray coating method, die coating method, gravure printing method, screen printing method, etc.). However, the method for forming the light emitting layer 32 is not limited to the coating method, and the light emitting layer 32 may be formed by a dry process such as a vacuum deposition method or a transfer method.

Examples of the material for the electron injection layer include metal fluorides such as lithium fluoride and magnesium fluoride, metal halides such as sodium chloride and magnesium chloride, titanium, zinc, magnesium, calcium, An oxide such as barium or strontium can be used. In the case of these materials, the electron injection layer can be formed by a vacuum deposition method. As the material for the electron injection layer, for example, an organic semiconductor material mixed with a dopant (such as an alkali metal) that promotes electron injection can be used. In the case of such a material, the electron injection layer can be formed by a coating method.

The material for the electron transport layer can be selected from the group of compounds having electron transport properties. Examples of this type of compound include metal complexes known as electron transport materials such as Alq ₃ and compounds having a heterocycle such as phenanthroline derivatives, pyridine derivatives, tetrazine derivatives, oxadiazole derivatives, etc. Instead, any generally known electron transport material can be used.

As a material for the hole transport layer, a low molecular material or a polymer material having a low LUMO (Lowest Unoccupied Molecular Molecular) level can be used. Examples thereof include polymers containing aromatic amines such as polyvinyl carbazole (PVCz), polyarylene derivatives such as polypyridine and polyaniline, and polyarylene derivatives having aromatic amines in the main chain, but are not limited thereto. . Examples of the material for the hole transport layer include 4,4′-bis [N- (naphthyl) -N-phenyl-amino] biphenyl (α-NPD) and N, N′-bis (3-methylphenyl). -(1,1'-biphenyl) -4,4'-diamine (TPD), 2-TNATA, 4,4 ', 4 "-tris (N- (3-methylphenyl) N-phenylamino) triphenylamine (MTDATA), 4,4′-N, N′-dicarbazole biphenyl (CBP), spiro-NPD, spiro-TPD, spiro-TAD, TNB, and the like can be used.

The first carrier blocking layer 33 is carrier blocking as a first carrier barrier (here, an electron barrier) that suppresses leakage of first carriers (here, electrons) from the light emitting layer 32 side to the second electrode 40 side. It has a function (here, an electronic blocking function). The first carrier blocking layer 33 preferably has a function of transporting second carriers (here, holes) to the light emitting layer 32, a function of suppressing quenching of the excited state of the light emitting layer 32, and the like. .

In the organic electroluminescence element, by providing the first carrier blocking layer 33, it is possible to improve the light emission efficiency and extend the life. As a material of the first carrier blocking layer 33, for example, polyarylamine or a derivative thereof, polyfluorene or a derivative thereof, polyvinylcarbazole or a derivative thereof, a triphenyldiamine derivative, or the like can be used. Such a first carrier blocking layer 33 can be formed by a wet process such as a coating method (spin coating method, spray coating method, die coating method, gravure printing method, etc.) or a vacuum deposition method.

As described above, the first carrier blocking layer 33 has the recess 38 in the projection region of the opening 41. Thereby, in the first carrier blocking layer 33, the thickness of the projection region of the opening 41 is thinner than the thickness of the projection region of the second electrode 40. The depth dimension of the recess 38 is smaller than the thickness dimension of the projection region of the second electrode 40 in the first carrier blocking layer 33 (that is, no through hole is formed in the first carrier blocking layer 33 by the recess 38. ) Is preferable, but the numerical values are not particularly limited. Such a concave portion 38 can be formed by, for example, twice coating by a screen printing method, a gravure printing method, a spray coating method, or the like.

The cathode is an electrode for injecting electrons as the first charge into the functional layer 30. When the first electrode 20 is a cathode, the first electrode 20 injects electrons, which are first charges, into the functional layer 30 as first carriers. As the cathode material, it is preferable to use an electrode material made of a metal, an alloy, an electrically conductive compound and a mixture thereof having a small work function, so that the difference from the LUMO (Lowest Unoccupied Molecular Orbital) level does not become too large. It is preferable to use a material having a work function of 1.9 eV or more and 5 eV or less. Examples of the electrode material for the cathode include aluminum, silver, magnesium, gold, copper, chromium, molybdenum, palladium, tin, and alloys of these with other metals, such as magnesium-silver mixture, magnesium-indium mixture, aluminum -Lithium alloys can be mentioned as examples. Also, a metal, a metal oxide, etc., and a mixture of these and other metals, for example, an ultrathin film made of aluminum oxide (here, a thin film of 1 nm or less capable of flowing electrons by tunnel injection) and aluminum. A laminated film with a thin film can also be used. When the cathode as the first electrode 20 is a reflective electrode, the cathode material is preferably a metal having a high reflectance with respect to light emitted from the light emitting layer 32 and a low resistivity, and preferably aluminum or silver.

When the first electrode 20 constitutes an anode that is an electrode for injecting holes that are second charges as first carriers into the functional layer 30, the material of the anode that is the first electrode 20 is: It is preferable to use a metal having a large work function, and it is preferable to use a metal having a work function of 4 eV or more and 6 eV or less so that the difference from the HOMO (Highest Occupied Molecular Orbital) level does not become too large.

The second electrode 40 is made of an electrode containing metal powder and an organic binder. As this type of metal, for example, silver, gold, copper or the like can be employed. As a result, the organic electroluminescence element can reduce the resistivity and sheet resistance of the second electrode 40 as compared with the case where the second electrode 40 is a thin film formed of a transparent conductive oxide. It is possible to reduce luminance unevenness by reducing the resistance of the two electrodes 40. As the conductive material of the second electrode 40, an alloy, carbon black, or the like can be used instead of a metal.

The second electrode 40 can be formed, for example, by printing a paste (printing ink) in which an organic binder and an organic solvent are mixed in a metal powder by, for example, a screen printing method or a gravure printing method. Examples of the organic binder include acrylic resin, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polymethyl methacrylate, polystyrene, polyether sulfone, polyarylate, polycarbonate resin, polyurethane, polyacrylonitrile, polyvinyl acetal, polyamide, polyimide, and diacryl phthalate resin. , Cellulose resins, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinyl acetate, other thermoplastic resins, and copolymers of two or more monomers constituting these resins, but are not limited thereto. It is not something.

In the organic electroluminescence device of this embodiment, the first electrode 20 has a thickness of 80 to 200 nm, the first carrier injection layer 31 has a thickness of 5 to 50 nm, the light emitting layer 32 has a thickness of 60 to 100 nm, Although the film thickness of the part which overlaps with the 2nd electrode 40 in 1 carrier blocking layer 33 is each set to 40 nm, these numerical values are examples and are not specifically limited.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the second electrode 40 is formed in a lattice shape (mesh shape) and has a plurality of openings (36 in the example shown in FIG. 2). That is, the second electrode 40 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of thin wire portions 44 extending in the first direction (vertical direction in FIG. 2), and a second direction (horizontal direction in FIG. 2) intersecting the first direction. And a plurality of thin line portions 44 extending in the direction. A space surrounded by the plurality of thin line portions 44 is an opening 41 for light extraction. Here, in the second electrode 40 shown in FIG. 2, each opening 41 has a square shape. In short, the second electrode 40 shown in FIG. 2 is formed in a square lattice shape.

The second electrode 40 has, for example, a line width L1 (see FIG. 3) of 1 μm to 100 μm and a height H1 (see FIG. 3) regarding the dimensions of the square-lattice electrode pattern 40a constituting the second electrode 40. 50 nm to 100 μm and the pitch P 1 (see FIG. 3) may be set to 100 μm to 2000 μm. However, the numerical ranges of the line width L1, the height H1, and the pitch P1 of the electrode pattern 40a of the second electrode 40 are not particularly limited, and may be set as appropriate based on the planar size of the element portion 1. Here, the line width L1 of the electrode pattern 40a of the second electrode 40 is preferably narrow from the viewpoint of the utilization efficiency of the light emitted from the light emitting layer 32, and luminance unevenness is reduced by reducing the resistance of the second electrode 40. Therefore, it is preferable that the width is appropriately set based on the planar size of the organic electroluminescence element. Regarding the height H1 of the second electrode 40, from the viewpoint of lowering the resistance of the second electrode 40, the use efficiency of the material of the second electrode 40 when the second electrode 40 is formed by a coating method such as a screen printing method. From the viewpoint of (material use efficiency), the viewpoint of the emission angle of light emitted from the functional layer 30, and the like, 100 nm or more and 10 μm or less are more preferable.

In the organic electroluminescence element of the present embodiment, each opening 41 in the second electrode 40 has an opening shape in which the opening area gradually increases as the distance from the functional layer 30 increases, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. is there. That is, the thin wire portion 44 of the second electrode 40 is formed in a substantially trapezoidal shape in cross section, and thus, the opening shape of the opening portion 41 gradually increases as the distance from the functional layer 30 increases. Thereby, the organic electroluminescence element can increase the spread angle of the light emitted from the functional layer 30, and can further reduce the luminance unevenness. In addition, the organic electroluminescence element can reduce reflection loss and absorption loss at the second electrode 40, and can further improve the external quantum efficiency.

When the second electrode 40 has a lattice shape, the shape of each opening 41 is not limited to a square shape, and may be, for example, a rectangular shape, a regular triangle shape, or a regular hexagonal shape.

The second electrode 40 has a triangular lattice shape when each of the openings 41 has a regular triangular shape, and has a hexagonal lattice shape when each of the openings 41 has a regular hexagonal shape. . The second electrode 40 is not limited to a lattice shape, and may be, for example, a comb shape or may be configured by two comb-shaped electrode patterns. Further, the number of the openings 41 is not particularly limited, and the number of the second electrodes 40 is not limited to a plurality, and may be one. For example, when the second electrode 40 has a comb shape or is configured by two comb-shaped electrode patterns, the number of openings 41 can be one.

Further, the second electrode 40 may have a planar shape as shown in FIG. 4, for example. That is, in this example, the second electrode 40 has a constant line width of the linear thin line portion 44 in the electrode pattern 40a in plan view. As the center of the second electrode 40 is approached, the interval between the fine line portions 44 and 44 adjacent in the vertical direction and the interval between the fine line portions 44 and 44 adjacent in the horizontal direction are gradually reduced. That is, the second electrode 40 has a shape in which the opening area of the opening 41 becomes smaller as the distance from the peripheral part approaches the center part. In the organic electroluminescence element, the second electrode 40 has a planar shape as shown in FIG. 4, so that the second terminal portion 47 in the second electrode 40 is compared with the planar shape as shown in FIG. 2. It becomes possible to improve the light emission efficiency in the central part far from the peripheral part (see FIG. 1), and to improve the external quantum efficiency. Further, the organic electroluminescence element has the first terminal portion of the functional layer 30 as compared with the case where the planar shape as shown in FIG. 2 is obtained by making the planar shape of the second electrode 40 as shown in FIG. In addition, since it is possible to suppress current concentration in the peripheral portion where the distance from the second terminal portion 47 is short, it is possible to extend the life.

Further, the second electrode 40 may have a planar shape as shown in FIG. 5, for example. In other words, in the illustrated example, the second electrode 40 has four first fine wire portions 42 that form the outer frame on the outermost periphery of the second electrode 40, and a first direction (FIG. 5) inside the outer frame. And a plurality of thin wire portions (third thin wire portions) extending in a second direction (the left-right direction in FIG. 5) intersecting the first direction inside the outer frame. 44). The second electrode 40 has a line width of the first thin line portion 42 and a line width of one second thin line portion 43 at the center in the left-right direction in FIG. It is wider than the line width of the third thin line portion 44 between the two thin line portions 43. In the organic electroluminescence element, the second electrode 40 has a planar shape as shown in FIG. 5, so that the second terminal portion 47 (see FIG. 1) of the second electrode 40 is compared with the planar shape as shown in FIG. 2. It is possible to improve the light emission efficiency in the central part far from the peripheral part, and it is possible to improve the external quantum efficiency. When the second electrode 40 has a planar shape as shown in FIG. 5, the height of the first thin wire portion 42 and the second thin wire portion 43 having a relatively wide line width is set higher than the height of the third thin wire portion 44. By increasing the height, the resistance of each of the first thin wire portion 42 and the second thin wire portion 43 can be further reduced.

Further, as described above, the conductive layer 50 has a second carrier injection function (here, a hole injection function) and light transmittance. Such a conductive layer 50 can be formed of, for example, a conductive nanostructure and a conductive polymer. The conductive layer 50 is formed from, for example, a transparent conductive film including a conductive nanostructure and a transparent medium. In addition, the conductive layer 50 having a hole injection function can be formed of a composite film in which a conductive nanostructure is mixed with the material of the hole injection layer. The conductivity of the conductive layer 50 is lower than that of the second electrode 40. The conductivity of the conductive layer 50 is higher than that of the second carrier injection layer 34.

The conductive layer 50 functions as a second carrier injection path from the second electrode 40 to the functional layer 30. The second carrier is a hole when the second electrode 40 is an anode, and an electron when the second electrode 40 is a cathode. Here, the conductive layer 50 is not present, and the part immediately below the second electrode 40 is a part of the functional layer 30, and the opening 41 is buried by a part of the electrically insulating sealing part 90 instead of the conductive layer 50. In this case, it is assumed that the injection of the second carrier from the second electrode 40 to the functional layer 30 is performed only through the interface between the second electrode 40 and the functional layer 30. On the other hand, when the conductive layer 50 is provided, the injection of the second carrier from the second electrode 40 to the functional layer 30 is performed by the first path passing through the interface between the second electrode 40 and the functional layer 30. This is performed both in the interface between the second electrode 40 and the conductive layer 50 and in the second path passing through the interface between the conductive layer 50 and the functional layer 30.

Here, in the organic electroluminescence element of the present embodiment, with respect to the first carrier blocking layer 33 that is the outermost layer on the second electrode 40 side in the functional layer 30, the thickness of the projection region of the opening 41 is the second electrode 40. It is thinner than the thickness of the projection area. In addition, the organic electroluminescence element has higher conductivity and higher injectability of the second carrier with respect to the conductive layer 50 than the first carrier blocking layer 33. Thus, in the organic electroluminescence element of the present embodiment, with respect to the injection of the second carrier from the second electrode 40 to the functional layer 30, the carrier injection through the second path has priority over the carrier injection through the first path. It is estimated that That is, by providing the recess 38 in the first carrier blocking layer 33, the resistivity of the second path is lower than when there is no recess 38. Thereby, the second carriers are easily injected into the light emitting layer 32 through the second path. Therefore, the second carrier tends to flow toward the light emitting layer 32 in the projection region of the opening 41 rather than the projection region of the second electrode 40. For this reason, also in the light emitting layer 32, it becomes easy to light-emit in the projection area | region of the opening part 41 instead of the projection area | region of the 2nd electrode 40. FIG. Therefore, in the organic electroluminescence element of the present embodiment, the proportion of light blocked by the second electrode 40 in the light emitted from the light emitting layer 32 is reduced, so that the external quantum efficiency can be improved. Further, by providing the concave portion 38 in the first carrier blocking layer 33, the second carrier moves from the second electrode 40 to the in-plane direction of the conductive layer 50 (in FIG. 1) when moving toward the light emitting layer 32. Left and right and front and rear direction). Therefore, in-plane variation of the current flowing through the light emitting layer 32 can be reduced. Here, the lower the resistivity of the conductive layer 50, the better the electrical conductivity from the second electrode 40 in the lateral direction (left and right and front and rear in FIG. 1), and the in-plane variation of the current flowing through the light emitting layer 32 is reduced. It is possible to reduce luminance unevenness.

As the conductive nanostructure, conductive nanoparticles, conductive nanowires, or the like can be used. The particle diameter of the conductive nanoparticles is preferably 1 to 100 nm. The diameter of the conductive nanowire is preferably 1 to 100 nm.

As the material for the conductive nanostructure, for example, silver, gold, ITO, IZO and the like can be employed. Examples of the binder that is a transparent medium include acrylic resin, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polymethyl methacrylate, polystyrene, polyethersulfone, polyarylate, polycarbonate resin, polyurethane, polyacrylonitrile, polyvinyl acetal, polyamide, polyimide, diethylene. Examples include acrylic phthalate resin, cellulose resin, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinyl acetate, other thermoplastic resins, and copolymers of two or more monomers constituting these resins. It is not limited to. However, it is preferable to use a conductive polymer such as polythiophene, polyaniline, polypyrrole, polyphenylene, polyphenylene vinylene, polyacetylene, polycarbazole as the binder. These may be used alone or in combination. The conductive layer 50 can further improve conductivity by adopting a conductive polymer as a binder. Moreover, as a binder, in order to improve electroconductivity, you may employ | adopt what doped dopants, such as a sulfonic acid, a Lewis acid, a proton acid, an alkali metal, an alkaline-earth metal, for example.

Further, examples of the material for the hole injection layer include organic materials including thiophene, triphenylmethane, hydrazoline, amyramine, hydrazone, stilbene, triphenylamine, and the like. Specifically, for example, polyvinyl carbazole, polyethylenedioxythiophene: polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT: PSS), aromatic amine derivatives such as TPD, etc., these materials may be used alone, or two or more kinds of materials. May be used in combination.

The conductive layer 50 described above can be formed by a wet process such as a coating method (spray coating method, die coating method, gravure printing method, screen printing method, etc.).

Further, the conductive layer 50 may be configured by a stacked structure of a hole injection layer formed on the first carrier blocking layer 33 and a light-transmitting conductive layer formed on the hole injection layer. Good. In this case, the thickness of the hole injection layer is preferably smaller than the depth dimension of the recess 38.

As described above, in the organic electroluminescence element of this embodiment, the resistivity of each of the first electrode 20 and the second electrode 40 is lower than the resistivity of the transparent conductive oxide, An opening 41 for extracting light from the functional layer 30 is formed. Furthermore, in the organic electroluminescence element of the present embodiment, the functional layer 30 is the outermost layer on the second electrode 40 side with respect to the light emitting layer 32, and the first carrier injected from the first electrode 20 into the functional layer 30 is the first layer. The 1st carrier blocking layer 33 which suppresses the leak to the 2 electrode 40 side is included. Moreover, the organic electroluminescent element of this embodiment is provided with the conductive layer 50 that is in contact with the second electrode 40 and the functional layer 30 (first carrier blocking layer 33) and has the second carrier injection function and light transmittance. It has been. In the organic electroluminescence element of this embodiment, the conductive layer 50 covers the second electrode 40, and the first carrier blocking layer 33 is provided with a recess 38 in the projection region of the opening 41. Therefore, in the organic electroluminescence element of this embodiment, it is possible to reduce luminance unevenness and to improve external quantum efficiency. Here, in the organic electroluminescence element of the present embodiment, since the conductive layer 50 covers the second electrode 40, the second carrier 40 can be more injected from the second electrode 40 to the conductive layer 50. It becomes possible to improve.

In this organic electroluminescence element, the height (first height) from the light emitting layer 32 to the surface of the conductive layer 50 in the recess 38 is the height (second height) from the light emitting layer 32 to the tip of the second electrode 40. Preferably, the height is lower than (height). Here, the example of FIG. 3 will be described. The first height is the thickness between the inner bottom surface of the recess 38 and the light emitting layer 32 in the first carrier blocking layer 33 and the conductive layer 50 on the inner bottom surface of the recess 38. The total value with the film thickness. The second height is a total value of the film thickness of the projection region of the second electrode 40 in the first carrier blocking layer 50 and the height H1 of the second electrode 40. As described above, the organic electroluminescence element has the first height lower than the second height, so that the optical loss in the conductive layer 50 can be reduced, and the external quantum efficiency can be improved. It becomes possible. The magnitude relationship between the film thickness of the conductive layer 50 and the depth dimension of the recess 38 is not particularly limited.

(Embodiment 2)
The organic electroluminescence element of this embodiment is substantially the same as that of Embodiment 1, and only the shape of the recess 38 is different as shown in FIG. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the component similar to Embodiment 1, and description is abbreviate | omitted suitably.

The concave portion 38 is formed in a shape in which the distance from the projection region of the second electrode 40 to the inner side surface 38a close to the projection region increases as the distance from the second electrode 40 increases in the thickness direction of the first carrier blocking layer 33. . In the example shown in FIG. 3, the concave portion 38 is formed in a rectangular cross section, whereas in the example shown in FIG. 6, the concave portion 38 is formed in an inverted trapezoidal shape.

In the organic electroluminescence element of the present embodiment, as described above, as the concave portion 38 moves away from the second electrode 40 in the thickness direction of the first carrier blocking layer 33, the projection region of the second electrode 40 is closer to the projection region. It is formed in a shape that increases the distance to the inner side surface 38a. In other words, in the organic electroluminescence element of this embodiment, the thickness of the first carrier blocking layer 33 in the projection region of the opening 41 becomes thinner as the distance from the second electrode 40 increases. Thereby, in the organic electroluminescent element of this embodiment, the film thickness is gradually increased in the region where the distance from the projection region of the second electrode 40 is changed with respect to the projection region of the opening 41 in the first carrier blocking layer 33. Therefore, it is provided as a film thickness changing portion that becomes thinner. Here, the first carrier blocking layer 33 is more likely to pass the second carrier as it is closer to the second electrode 40, but the second carrier is less likely to pass as the film thickness is larger, so the opening 41 in the first carrier blocking layer 33. It is possible to improve the uniformity of the carrier injection amount into the projection area, and to further reduce the luminance unevenness.

In FIG. 6, the first carrier blocking layer 33 is shown to have a constant thickness at a location that is a predetermined distance or more away from the second electrode 40 in the width direction of the second electrode 40 (left-right direction in FIG. 6). Yes. However, the first carrier blocking layer 33 may have a shape in which the thickness gradually decreases with the distance from the second electrode 40. Further, the shape of the inner side surface 38a of the concave portion 38 is not limited to the planar shape as shown in FIG. 6, and may be a curved surface shape. For example, the cross-sectional shape of the recess 38 may be a kamaboko shape.

The organic electroluminescence element described in the first and second embodiments can be suitably used as an organic electroluminescence element for illumination, for example, but is not limited to illumination and can be used for other purposes.

In addition, each figure demonstrated in Embodiment 1, 2 is typical, and the ratio of each magnitude | size and thickness of each component does not necessarily reflect the dimensional ratio of an actual thing.

While the invention has been described in terms of several preferred embodiments, various modifications and variations can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention, ie, the claims.

Claims (5)

A substrate, a first electrode provided on one surface side of the substrate, a second electrode facing the first electrode on the one surface side of the substrate, and between the first electrode and the second electrode And an organic electroluminescence device comprising a functional layer including a light emitting layer,
Resistivity of each of the first electrode and the second electrode is lower than the resistivity of the transparent conductive oxide,
As the outermost layer on the second electrode side of the light emitting layer, the functional layer is a first layer that suppresses leakage of the first carriers injected from the first electrode into the functional layer toward the second electrode side. Including a carrier blocking layer,
An opening for extracting light from the functional layer is formed in the second electrode. The opening is in contact with the second electrode and the functional layer, and has a second carrier injection function and light transmittance. A conductive layer is provided,
The conductive layer covers the second electrode;
The organic electroluminescence device according to claim 1, wherein the first carrier blocking layer is provided with a recess in a projection region of the opening. The recess is formed in a shape in which the distance from the projection region of the second electrode to the inner surface near the projection region becomes longer as the distance from the second electrode increases in the thickness direction of the first carrier blocking layer. The organic electroluminescent element according to claim 1. 3. The organic electroluminescence device according to claim 1, wherein the second electrode is made of an electrode containing a metal powder and an organic binder. The organic electroluminescent element according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the conductive layer is made of a transparent conductive film including a conductive nanostructure and a transparent medium. The organic electroluminescence device according to claim 1, wherein the first carrier blocking layer has a thickness of a projection region of the opening that is thinner than a thickness of a projection region of the second electrode.

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