CN102253502A

CN102253502A - Bonding agent and electro-optic assembly and electrophoretic medium thereof

Info

Publication number: CN102253502A
Application number: CN2011100963477A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 魏松丽; 张磊; 王海艺; 徐群星
Original assignee: Guangzhou OED Technologies Co Ltd
Current assignee: Guangzhou OED Technologies Co Ltd
Priority date: 2011-04-18
Filing date: 2011-04-18
Publication date: 2011-11-23

Abstract

The invention discloses a bonding agent and an electro-optic assembly and an electrophoretic medium thereof. The electro-optic assembly comprises a first substrate, a second substrate, a boning agent layer positioned between the first substrate and the second substrate, and an electro-optic material layer positioned between the first substrate and the second substrate; and the bonding agent layer comprises a polymer boning agent material and an additive agent, wherein the additive agent is selected from propylene glycol ether, butyl carbitol, methoxyl methanol, ethylene glycol, propanediol, propanetriol, Texanol, adipate, phthalandione, lusolvan, FBH, Coasol, DBE-IB, DPnB, Dowanol PPh, alcohol ester-12, hexamethylene glycol, commercialization compositions thereof and combinations thereof. The invention further discloses the bonding agent layer, a double-stripping sheet and use of the bonding agent layer and the double-stripping sheet. The bonding agent layer has the advantages shown in specifications.

Description

Bonding agent and electro-optic assemblies thereof and electrophoretic medium

Technical field

The present invention relates to be used to produce the electro-optic assemblies of electro-optical display, and the material that is used for described assembly.More specifically, the present invention relates to have the cementing agent and the adhesive composition of controlled volume resistivity, and the electro-optic assemblies that comprises this type of material.The material that the present invention relates to also can be used for the application beyond the electro-optical display.

Background technology

Electro-optical display comprises layer of electro-optic material, electrooptic material is the term that is used to be expressed as follows material in this article with the common meaning in this area: this material has the first and second different show states of at least a optical property, when material was applied electric field, material changed to its second show state from its first show state.Optical property is the color that can experience of eye normally, but can be another kind of optical property, as optical propagation, reflection, luminous, or be used in hope under the situation of machine reading display, change the pseudo-color in the sensation in the electromagnetic wavelength reflection beyond visible-range.

Electro-optical display of the present invention comprises electrooptic material usually, this material is a solid, meaning i.e. this electrooptic material has the solid outside surface, although this material can (and normally) has the space that internal liquid or gas are filled, and the method for using this kind electrooptic material assembled display.Use this class display of solid electro-optic materials can be called " solid electro-optic displays " easily hereinafter.Therefore, term " solid electro-optic displays " comprises the LCD of electrophoretic display device (EPD), microcell electrophoretic display and the encapsulation of rotation double-colored assembly display (vide infra), encapsulation.

Term " bistable " and " bistability " are used to represent to comprise the display of display module in this article with the common meaning in this area, this display module has the first and second different show states of at least a optical property, and make the addressing pulse by finite duration drive any given assembly with first or second show state that presents it after, after stopping addressing pulse, this state continuance at least several times, for example at least four times, the minimum duration that needs addressing pulse is to change the state of display module.In laid-open U.S. Patents application No.2002/0180687, show, some particle-based electrophoretic display that can reach gray scale are not only stable under stable under their the extreme black and white state and Intermediate grey states at them, and the situation of the electro-optical display of some other types is also identical.This type display is called " multistable " rather than bistable suitably, although term " bistable state " can be used for covering bistable state and multistable display at this paper for simplicity.

The electro-optical display of several types is known.One type electro-optical display is for example in U.S. patent No.5,808,783; 5,777,782; 5,760,761; 6,054,071; 6,055,091; 6,097,531; 6,128,124; 6,137,467 and 6,147, the double-colored component type of describing in 791 of rotation is (although this type display is commonly referred to " rotation twin color ball " display, because rotary components is not spherical in more above-mentioned patents, it is preferred that term " rotates double-colored assembly ", because it is more accurate).This class display uses great quantity of small object (normally sphere or cylindrical shape) and internal dipole, and described small-sized object has the different cross section of two or more optical characteristics.Suspend in the cavity of these objects liquid filling in matrix, cavity makes described object rotate freely by liquid filling.Therefore the outward appearance that changes display is rotated described object and is also changed the described object cross section of seeing by apparent surface to all places so that it is applied electric field.The electro-optic media of this type is normally bistable.

The electro-optical display of another kind of type uses electrochromic media, for example with the electrochromic media of nanometer variable color form membrane, this film comprises to small part from the electrode of partly leading metal oxide and forming and is connected to a plurality of dye molecules that this electrode can carry out reversible color change; Referring to, O ' Regan for example, B., et al., Nature 1991,353, and 737; And Wood, D., Information Display, 18 (3), 24 (March 2002).Also can be referring to Bach, U., et al., Adv.Mater., 2002,14 (11), 845.The nanometer variable color film of this type also for example is described in U.S. Patent No. 6,301,038, the open No.WO 01/27690 of international monopoly, and be described in U.S. Patent application 2003/0214695.The medium of this type is also normally bistable.

The electro-optical display of another kind of type is a particle-based electrophoretic display, and it has been the target of furtheing investigate for many years and developing, and wherein a plurality of charged particles move under electric field effects by suspension.When comparing with LCD, electrophoretic display device (EPD) can have favorable luminance and contrast, wide visual angle, the attribute of state bistability and low energy consumption.Yet the problem of these display long-term image quality has hindered being extensive use of of they.For example, the particle of forming electrophoretic display device (EPD) tends to sedimentation, causes these display term of life deficiencies.

Recently disclose assign in or with the many patents and the application of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) (MIT) and E Ink Corporation name, they have described the electrophoretic medium of encapsulation.The medium of this kind encapsulation comprises many Caplets, mutually with around interior capsule wall mutually, is included in the particle that the electrophoresis that suspends in the liquid suspension medium moves in this mutually in each capsule comprises self.Usually, this capsule self remains in the polymeric binder, to form the adhesion layer between two electrodes.The encapsulation medium of this type for example is described in United States Patent(USP) Nos. 5,930,026,5,961,804,6,017,584,6,067,185,6,118,426,6,120,588,6,120,839,6,124,851,6,130,773,6,130,774,6,172,798,6,177,921,6,232,950,6,249,721,6,252,564,6,262,706,6,262,833,6,300,932,6,312,304,6,312,971,6,323,989,6,327,072,6,376,828,6,377,387,6,392,785,6,392,786,6,413,790,6,422,687,6,445,374,6,445,489,6,459,418,6,473,072,6,480,182,6,498,114,6,504,524,6,506,438,6,512,354,6,515,649,6,518,949,6,521,489,6,531,997,6,535,197,6,538,801,6,545,291,6,580,545,6,639,578,6,652,075,6,657,772,6,664,944,6,680,725,6,683,333 and 6,704,133; U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos.2002/0019081,2002/0021270,2002/0053900,2002/0060321,2002/0063661,2002/0063677,2002/0090980,2002/0106847,2002/0113770,2002/0130832,2002/0131147,2002/0145792,2002/0171910,2002/0180687,2002/0180688,2002/0185378,2003/0011560,2003/0011868,2003/0020844,2003/0025855,2003/0034949,2003/0038755,2003/0053189,2003/0096113,2003/0102858,2003/0132908,2003/0137521,2003/0137717,2003/0151702,2003/0189749,2003/0214695,2003/0214697,2003/0222315,2004/0008398,2004/0012839,2004/0014265 and 2004/0027327; And international application open Nos.WO99/67678, WO00/05704, WO00/38000, WO00/38001, WO00/36560, WO00/67110, WO00/67327, WO01/07961, WO01/08241, WO03/092077 and WO03/107,315.

Many above-mentioned patents and application are recognized, wall around discrete microcapsules in encapsulated electrophoretic medium can be substituted by external phase, therefore produce by so-called " electrophoretic display device (EPD) of polymer dispersed ", wherein electrophoretic medium comprises a plurality of discrete droplets of electrophoretic fluid and the external phase of polymeric material, the discrete droplets of the electrophoretic fluid in the electrophoretic display device (EPD) of this kind polymer dispersed can be thought capsule or microcapsules, although there is not discrete capsule film to be associated with each independent drop; Referring to for example, above-mentioned 2002/0131147.Therefore, for the application's purpose, the electrophoretic medium of this kind polymer dispersed is thought the subclass of encapsulated electrophoretic medium.

The electrophoretic display device (EPD) of encapsulation is not limited by the gathering and the sedimentation fault mode of conventional electrophoretic device usually, and further advantage is provided, for example the ability of printing or coating display on multiple flexibility and rigid substrate.(use of word " printing " is wished to comprise all printings and coating method, is included but not limited to: coating such as the coating of sheet mould, the slit die of pre-metering or extrude coating, slip or stacked coating, curtain is coated with; Coating, front and back roller coat on roller coat such as the rotor; Intaglio plate applies; Dip-coating; Spraying; Meniscus applies; Dip-coating; Brush; Air knife is coated with; Silk-screen printing technique; Electrostatic printing process: hot stamping dataller skill; Ink-jet printing process; With other similar technique).Therefore, the display of acquisition can be flexible.In addition, can typographical display medium (make and in all sorts of ways), this display self is made marked downly.

The electrophoretic display device (EPD) of correlation type is so-called " microcell electrophoretic display ".In microcell electrophoretic display, charged particle and suspension do not encapsulate in capsule, are on the contrary to be retained in a plurality of cavitys that form in the mounting medium (being generally polymer film).Referring to, for example international patent application discloses WO 02/01281 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2002/0075556, and both all assign in Sipix Imaging, Inc.

The electrooptic material of other type (for example, the liquid crystal of polymer dispersed) also can be used for display of the present invention.

Although electrophoretic medium is normally opaque (for example, because in many electrophoretic mediums, the basic blocking visible light of particle is by the propagation of display) and operate with reflective-mode, many electrophoretic display device (EPD)s are operated with so-called " shutter mode ", wherein a kind of show state is opaque substantially, and a kind of is printing opacity.For example referring to above-mentioned United States Patent(USP) Nos. 6,130,774 and 6,172,798, and United States Patent(USP) Nos. 5,872,552,6,144,361,6,271,823,6,225,971 and 6,184,856.Dielectrophoretic displays, it is similar to electrophoretic display device (EPD) but depends on the variation of electric field intensity, can adopt similar pattern operation; Referring to U.S. Patent No. 4,418,346.

Except that layer of electro-optic material, electro-optical display generally includes at least two other layers that are positioned at the electrooptic material opposite flank, and one of these two layers is electrode layer.In this class display of great majority, two layers all are electrode layers, and one or two electrode layer forms the pixel of pattern with the definition display.For example, electrode layer is patterned into elongate row electrodes and another is patterned into the elongation row electrode that moves under the suitable angle to column electrode, and pixel is by the point of crossing definition of column electrode and row electrode.Perhaps, and more generally, the form of an electrode layer is single continuous electrode, and another electrode layer is patterned into the matrix of pixel capacitors, a pixel of each defined matrix display.In the electro-optical display of another kind of type; this display wishes to use with stylus; print head or similar travelling electrode are from displays separated; only the layer of a contiguous electro-optic layer comprises electrode, and the layer on the electro-optic layer opposite flank normally wishes to prevent the protective seam of travelling electrode infringement electro-optic layer.

The manufacturing of three layers of electro-optical display is usually directed at least one laminating operation.For example, in several above-mentioned MIT and E Ink patent and application, the method of manufacturing and encapsulation electrophoretic display device (EPD) has been described, the encapsulated electrophoretic medium that wherein will comprise capsule in cementing agent is coated on the flexible substrate that comprises tin indium oxide (ITO) or with similar electrically-conducting paint (it is as an electrode of final display) and is coated on the plastic foil, and dry capsule/binder coating is to form the adhesion layer of electrophoretic medium robust bond to substrate.Prepare pedestal individually, the array that this pedestal comprises pixel capacitors arrives driving circuit with suitable conductor arrangement to be connected pixel capacitors.For forming final display, use laminating adhesive to be laminated to the substrate that contains the capsule/binder layer on it.(can substitute pedestal as plastic foil by the simple protective layer slidably of stylus or other travelling electrode thereon, closely similar technology can be used for preparing can be with stylus or the similar electrophoretic display device (EPD) that uses of travelling electrode).In a preferred form of this quadrat method, pedestal self is flexible, and prepares by printed pixels electrode and conductor on plastic foil or other flexible substrate.The tangible lamination of producing display for technology thus in a large number is to use the roll laminating of laminating adhesive.Similar manufacturing technology can be used for the electro-optical display of other type.For example, microcell electrophoretic medium or rotate double-colored assembly medium and can adopt with the essentially identical mode of encapsulated electrophoretic medium and be laminated to pedestal.

In said method, the substrate that has an electro-optic layer can advantageously be undertaken by vacuum lamination the lamination of pedestal.Therefore vacuum lamination avoids undesirable air bubble from effectively discharging air between two materials of lamination in final display; Introduce unwanted processed goods in the image that this type of air bubble can be produced on display.Yet, adopt the two-part vacuum lamination of electro-optical display of this mode that the laminating adhesive that uses is had strict requirement, particularly under the display situation of using encapsulated electrophoretic medium.Laminating adhesive should have enough bond strengths with in conjunction with electro-optic layer to it to be laminated on it the layer (normally electrode layer), and under the situation of encapsulated electrophoretic medium, bonding agent also should have enough bond strengths in mechanical aspects capsule is kept together.If electro-optical display is that (and a significant advantage of rotating double-colored assembly and encapsulated electrophoretic display is flexible type, they can be prepared as flexible), this bonding agent should have enough pliabilities not introduce defective when the fixing display in display.Laminating adhesive should have suitable flowing property to keep the high-quality lamination under laminating temperature; In this regard, the demand of lamination encapsulation electrophoresis and other types of electro-optic media is very difficult; Owing to can not being exposed to higher basically temperature, this medium do not have infringement, this lamination must carry out being no more than under about 130 ℃ temperature, but flowing of bonding agent must be dealt with the relative uneven surfaces that contains the capsule layer, and its surface becomes irregular because of following capsule.It is low as far as possible that laminating temperature should keep really, and room temperature lamination is desirable, but do not see that the commercial adhesive of allowing this kind room temperature lamination is arranged.Laminating adhesive should with all other materials chemistry compatibilities in the display.

As going through in above-mentioned 2003/0025855, the laminating adhesive that is used for electro-optical display should satisfy some electric standard, and this can introduce suitable problem in the selection of laminating adhesive.The commercial manufacturers of laminating adhesive drops into sizable effort naturally, to guarantee to regulate the performance of this type of bonding agent, for example bond strength and laminating temperature make bonding agent show in their main application well, and this application is usually directed to laminated polymeric thing and similar film.Yet in this type of was used, the electrical property of laminating adhesive was not correlated with, so commercial manufacturers can not noted this type of electrical property.In fact, (several times at the most) substantial variations of some electrical property can exist between the same commercial lamination adhesive of different batches, the chances are because the non-electrical property (for example, the bacteria growth performance) of laminating adhesive is attempted to optimize by manufacturer, and be concerned about the results change of electrical property at all.

Yet in electro-optical display, wherein laminating adhesive is usually located between the electrode, and it applies the electric field of the electricity condition that needs the change electro-optic media, and the electrical property of bonding agent becomes conclusive.As conspicuous to the Electrical Engineer, the specific insulation of laminating adhesive becomes important, and this is owing to equal to deduct through the voltage drop of electrode the voltage drop of process laminating adhesive substantially through the voltage drop of electro-optic media.If the resistivity of adhesive phase is too high, the voltage drop of essence can take place in adhesive phase, require increase through the voltage of electrode.Increase in this way through the voltage of electrode and do not expect, reason is the power consumption that its increases display, and can require to use the voltage of the increase that more complicated and expensive control circuit relates to processing.On the other hand, if the adhesive phase that extends through display contacts with the matrix of electrode continuously, as in the Active Matrix Display, the specific insulation of adhesive phase should be not too low, and perhaps the sideways conduction of the electric current by the continuous adhesive layer can cause the interference of not expecting between adjacent electrode.Equally, because the specific insulation of most of materials increases and reduces fast with temperature, if the specific insulation of bonding agent is too low, the performance of display affects adversely under the temperature that is higher than room temperature substantially.Owing to these reasons, for the use of any given electro-optic media, have the optimized scope of laminating adhesive resistivity value, this scope is with the change in resistance of electro-optic media.The specific insulation of encapsulated electrophoretic medium is generally about 1010 ohm of cm, and the resistivity of other electro-optic media is generally the identical order of magnitude.Therefore, under the operating temperature of display (about 20 ℃ usually), the specific insulation of laminating adhesive should be 108-1012 ohm cm usually, or about 109-1011 ohm cm.Laminating adhesive also should have the specific insulation that changes with temperature, and it is similar to the situation of electro-optic media self.

Can satisfy that great majority are previous to be discussed, rather than it is little to be used for the commercial materials number of uncorrelated requirement of laminating adhesive of electro-optical display; In fact, the urethane emulsion of low amounts of water dispersion is used for this purpose.The materials similar group has been used as the cementing agent of encapsulated electrophoretic medium.

Yet the polyester-based urethane emulsion still can not be compromised between machinery of expecting and electrical property as the purposes of laminating adhesive with being entirely satisfactory.Can obtain having the laminating adhesive of better mechanical property, for example acrylic polymers and contact adhesive, but the electrical property of these materials is not suitable for electro-optical display.In addition, also there is not satisfactory way to change the electrical property of urethane emulsion up to now, so that their " thin tuning " are mated the electrical property of concrete electro-optic media.

Therefore, if find machinery and the electrical property of some modes, make and to optimize every group of performance separately that this will be very favorable with " separation " laminating adhesive.

In addition, in the selection of the laminating adhesive of considering to be used for electro-optical display, must be noted that will be by the method for its assembled display.The most prior art method that is used for the final lamination of electrophoretic display device (EPD) is batch method basically, in the method, electro-optic media, laminating adhesive and pedestal were only put together before facing final assembling, and expectation provides the mass-produced method that is more suitable for.Yet above-mentioned 2004/0027327 has described the method for assembling solid electro-optical display (comprising particle-based electrophoretic display), and it is very suitable for a large amount of productions.Basically, so-called " front plane laminate " (" FPL ") described in this application co-pending, and it comprises successively: light transmission conductive layer, the solid electro-optic medium layer, adhesive phase and the stripping film that electrically contact with conductive layer.Usually, light transmission conductive layer is stated from light-transmissive substrates, and this substrate is flexible; Anticipate promptly, this substrate can not have permanent strain in the manual winding of the rotary drum of (approximately) 10 inches (254mm) diameters on every side.Term " printing opacity " is in this application co-pending and be used for expression herein: the enough light of layer transmission of appointment is so that observe the variation of electro-optic media show state by the observer of this layer observation like this, and this variation is observed by conductive layer and adjacent substrate (if present) usually.Substrate is polymer film normally, and usually thickness is about 1 to about 25 mils (25-634um), and preferred about 2 to about 10 mils (51-254um).Conductive layer for example is easily, and the thin metal layer of aluminium or tin indium oxide perhaps can be a conducting polymer.The polyethylene terephthalate that applies by aluminium or ITO (Polyethylene terephthalate, PET) film is available commercially, for example from E.I.du Pont de Nemours﹠amp; Company, " the calorize Mylar " of Wilmington DE (" Mylar " is registered trademark), and this type of commercial materials can be used for front plane laminate and has good result.

Use the assembling of the electro-optical display of this kind front plane laminate to be undertaken: to remove stripping film from front plane laminate by following mode, with adhesive phase is contacted with pedestal causing that effectively adhesive phase is adhered under the condition of pedestal, make adhesive phase, electro-optic media layer and conductive layer be fixed to pedestal thus.The method is very suitable for a large amount of productions, and reason is to use roll-to-roll paint-on technique to produce in a large number usually front plane laminate, cuts into the sheet of the virtually any size that is used for concrete pedestal needs then.

Above-mentioned 2004/0027327 has also described the method for testing electro-optic media in the front plane laminate introduce front plane laminate in display before.In this method of testing, stripping film has conductive layer, and applies the voltage that is enough to change the electro-optic media optical states between the conductive layer on this conductive layer and the electro-optic media opposite flank.Then, the observation of electro-optic media discloses any defective in the medium, and the cost of generation is to have discarded whole display, and is not only defective front plane laminate, therefore avoids defective electro-optic media lamination is entered in the display.

Above-mentioned 2004/0027327 has also described second method that is used for testing the front plane laminate electro-optic media, and its mode is that static charge is placed on the stripping film, thereby forms image on electro-optic media.Adopt then with previous identical mode and observe this image to detect any fault in the electro-optic media.

International application No.PCT/US03/27686 has described so-called " two stripping film ", and it is the simple version of previously described front plane laminate substantially.A kind of two stripping films of form comprise and are clipped in two solid electro-optic medium layers between the adhesive phase that one or two adhesive phase is covered by stripping film.Two stripping films of another kind of form comprise and are clipped in two solid electro-optic medium layers between the stripping film.Two stripping films of two kinds of forms are wished to be used for usually similar in appearance to the method from the front plane laminate assembling electro-optical display described, but comprise two independent laminations; As a rule, in first lamination, two stripping films are laminated to preceding electrode, to form preceding sub-component; In second lamination, preceding sub-component is laminated to pedestal then, to form final display.

Consider the advantage of the assemble method of the use front plane laminate of describing in above-mentioned 2004/0027327, people expect that laminating adhesive can be incorporated in this kind front plane laminate.People expect that also laminating adhesive can as discussed previouslyly be incorporated in two stripping films.

WO2004/023195, US 7,012,735B2 etc. also disclose and relevant information mentioned above.

Those skilled in the art still expect to provide the adhesive phase of novelty, and electro-optic assemblies and other relative article of comprising this adhesive phase.

Summary of the invention

Technical matters to be solved by this invention provides a kind of adhesive phase material of novelty, therefore and provide electro-optic assemblies and other relative article that comprises this adhesive phase, to solve at least one technical matters that exists in the prior art, for example reduce the specific insulation of adhesive phase, and/or improve the electrooptics performance of product.The present invention is surprisingly found out that, comprises the adhesive phase that the potpourri of polymeric adhesive material and adjuvant is made, and can realize a purpose of the present invention at least.The present invention is based on above-mentioned discovery and be accomplished.

First aspect present invention provides a kind of electro-optic assemblies, it comprises: first substrate, second substrate, adhesive phase between described first and second substrates, and the layer of electro-optic material between described first and second substrates, described adhesive phase comprises polymeric adhesive material and adjuvant, and described adjuvant is selected from: propylene glycol, butyl carbitol, methoxyl methyl alcohol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerine, Texanol, hexane diacid, phthalic acid, lusolvan FBH, Coasol, DBE-IB, DPnB, Dowanol PPh, alcohol ester-12, hexanediol, its commercial compositions and combination thereof.

Second aspect present invention provides a kind of adhesive phase, it comprises polymeric adhesive material and adjuvant, and described adjuvant is selected from: propylene glycol, butyl carbitol, methoxyl methyl alcohol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerine, Texanol, hexane diacid, phthalic acid, lusolvan FBH, Coasol, DBE-IB, DPnB, Dowanol PPh, alcohol ester-12, hexanediol, its commercial compositions and combination thereof.

Third aspect present invention provides a kind of manufacturing goods (or two stripping film), and it comprises:

The solid electro-optic medium layer contains first surface and second surface on the opposite flank of this dielectric layer;

First adhesive phase on the first surface of solid electro-optic medium layer;

Be positioned at the stripping film on the side relative of first adhesive phase with the solid electro-optic medium layer; With

Second adhesive phase on the second surface of solid electro-optic medium layer;

Wherein at least one in first and second adhesive phases comprises polymeric adhesive material and adjuvant.

Fourth aspect present invention provides a kind of electro-optic assemblies, it comprises first substrate, second substrate, in adhesive phase between described first and second substrates and the layer of electro-optic material between described first and second substrates, wherein said adhesive phase comprises polymeric adhesive material and adjuvant, and this adjuvant is selected from conductive metal powder, ferrofluid, non-reactive solvent, conductive organic compound and combination thereof.

Fifth aspect present invention provides a kind of manufacturing goods (or two stripping film), and it comprises:

First adhesive phase on the first surface of solid electro-optic medium layer;

Second adhesive phase on the second surface of solid electro-optic medium layer:

Wherein at least one of first and second adhesive phases comprises polymeric adhesive material and adjuvant, and this adjuvant is selected from conductive metal powder, ferrofluid, non-reactive solvent, conductive organic compound and combination thereof.

Sixth aspect present invention provides a kind of electrophoretic medium, the cementing agent that it comprises a plurality of capsules and centers on described capsule, wherein each capsule comprises: capsule wall, be encapsulated in the suspension in the capsule wall, and a plurality of charged particles, described a plurality of charged particle be suspended in the suspension and when described electrophoretic medium is applied electric field this charged particle can move by described suspension, described cementing agent comprises polymeric adhesive material and adjuvant, and described adjuvant is selected from: propylene glycol, butyl carbitol, methoxyl methyl alcohol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerine, Texanol, hexane diacid, phthalic acid, lusolvan FBH, Coasol, DBE-IB, DPnB, Dowanol PPh, alcohol ester-12, hexanediol, its commercial compositions and combination thereof.

Seventh aspect present invention provides a kind of electrophoretic medium, the cementing agent that it comprises a plurality of capsules and centers on described capsule, wherein each capsule comprises: capsule wall, be encapsulated in the suspension in the capsule wall, and a plurality of charged particles, described a plurality of charged particle be suspended in the suspension and when described electrophoretic medium is applied electric field this charged particle can move by described suspension, described cementing agent comprises polymeric adhesive material and adjuvant, and this adjuvant is selected from conductive metal powder, ferrofluid, non-reactive solvent, conductive organic compound and combination thereof.

Eighth aspect present invention provides a kind of bonding agent, it comprises polymeric adhesive material and adjuvant, and described adjuvant is selected from: propylene glycol, butyl carbitol, methoxyl methyl alcohol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerine, Texanol, hexane diacid, phthalic acid, lusolvan FBH, Coasol, DBE-IB, DPnB, Dowanol PPh, alcohol ester-12, hexanediol, its commercial compositions and combination thereof.

Ninth aspect present invention provides a kind of bonding agent, and it comprises polymeric adhesive material and adjuvant, and this adjuvant is selected from conductive metal powder, ferrofluid, non-reactive solvent, conductive organic compound and combination thereof.

Tenth aspect present invention provides adjuvant at the specific insulation that reduces product and/or improve purposes in the electrooptics performance of product, described product includes but not limited to electro-optic assemblies, two stripping films, electrophoretic medium, bonding agent, bonding agent, electro-optical display, electrooptic material, electrophoretic display device (EPD), electro-optic media, Electronic Paper, electronic-paper display screen etc., described adjuvant is selected from: propylene glycol, butyl carbitol, methoxyl methyl alcohol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerine, Texanol, hexane diacid, phthalic acid, lusolvan FBH, Coasol, DBE-IB, DPnB, Dowanol PPh, alcohol ester-12, hexanediol, its commercial compositions and combination thereof.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is the schematic cross-sectional with electro-optic assemblies of the present invention of front plane laminate form.

Fig. 2 has described the combination formed adhesive phase of polymeric adhesive material and adjuvant according to the present invention, and its specific insulation is with the variation diagram of additive level.

Fig. 3 has described the combination formed adhesive phase of polymeric adhesive material and adjuvant according to the present invention, and its specific insulation is with variation of temperature figure.

Fig. 4 has described the combination formed adhesive phase of polymeric adhesive material and adjuvant according to the present invention, and its specific insulation is with the variation diagram of additive level.

Embodiment

According to each described electro-optic assemblies of first aspect present invention, wherein said polymeric adhesive material is selected from: the bonding agent of polyurethane, vinyl acetate, vinyl acetate-ethene (vinyl acetate ethylene), epoxy resin (epoxy), polyacrylic based, its commercial compositions (for example aqueous polyurethane emulsion) and combination thereof.In one embodiment, described adhesive phase comprises polyurethane.

According to each described electro-optic assemblies of first aspect present invention, wherein said adjuvant accounts for 0.5～20 weight % of described adhesive phase, preferred 1～20 weight %, preferred 2～20 weight %, preferred 2～15 weight %, preferred 2～10 weight %, for example about 1 weight %, about 2 weight %, about 3 weight %, about 4 weight %, about 5 weight %, about 7.5 weight %, about 10 weight %, about 15 weight %, about 20 weight %.

According to each described electro-optic assemblies of first aspect present invention, the weight ratio of polymeric adhesive material and adjuvant described in the wherein said adhesive phase is 100: (1～60), preferred 100: (2～50), preferred 100: (2～40), preferred 100: (2～25), preferred 100: (2～20), preferred 100: (2～15), preferred 100: (2～10).

According to each described electro-optic assemblies of first aspect present invention, wherein said adhesive phase also comprises: salt, polyelectrolyte, polymer dielectric, solid electrolyte or its combination.In one embodiment, described salt is selected from: potassium acetate, tetraalkylammonium salt, tetrabutylammonium chloride, hexafluorophosphate.In one embodiment, described polyelectrolyte is selected from: polyacrylic alkali metal salt, for example sodium salt of PPA.

According to each described electro-optic assemblies of first aspect present invention, the wherein said adhesive phase that comprises adjuvant has the zone of different colours as color filter.

According to each described electro-optic assemblies of first aspect present invention, the wherein said adhesive phase that comprises adjuvant further comprises the optical polarization element.

According to each described electro-optic assemblies of first aspect present invention, at least one in wherein said first substrate and second substrate comprises electrode.In one embodiment, described first substrate and second substrate comprise at least one electrode independently of one another.

According to each described electro-optic assemblies of first aspect present invention, wherein said first substrate comprises the printing opacity conductive electrode, and described second substrate comprises stripping film, and described electro-optic media is a solid electro-optic medium.

According to each described adhesive phase of second aspect present invention, wherein said polymeric adhesive material is selected from: the bonding agent of polyurethane, vinyl acetate, vinyl acetate-ethene, epoxy resin, polyacrylic based, its commercial compositions (for example aqueous polyurethane emulsion) and combination thereof.In one embodiment, described adhesive phase comprises polyurethane.

According to each described adhesive phase of second aspect present invention, wherein said adjuvant accounts for 0.5～20 weight % of described adhesive phase, preferred 1～20 weight %, preferred 2～20 weight %, preferred 2～15 weight %, preferred 2～10 weight %, for example about 1 weight %, about 2 weight %, about 3 weight %, about 4 weight %, about 5 weight %, about 7.5 weight %, about 10 weight %, about 15 weight %, about 20 weight %.

According to each described adhesive phase of second aspect present invention, wherein the weight ratio of polymeric adhesive material and adjuvant is 100: (1～60), preferred 100: (2～50), preferred 100: (2～40), preferred 100: (2～25), preferred 100: (2～20), preferred 100: (2～15), preferred 100: (2～10).

According to each described adhesive phase of second aspect present invention, wherein said adhesive phase also comprises: salt, polyelectrolyte, polymer dielectric, solid electrolyte or its combination.In one embodiment, described salt is selected from: potassium acetate, tetraalkylammonium salt, tetrabutylammonium chloride, hexafluorophosphate.In one embodiment, described polyelectrolyte is selected from: polyacrylic alkali metal salt, for example sodium salt of PPA.

According to each described adhesive phase of second aspect present invention, the wherein said adhesive phase that comprises adjuvant has the zone of different colours as color filter.

According to each described adhesive phase of second aspect present invention, the wherein said adhesive phase that comprises adjuvant further comprises the optical polarization element.

First adhesive phase on the first surface of solid electro-optic medium layer;

According to each manufacturing goods (or two stripping film) of third aspect present invention, wherein said first adhesive phase and second adhesive phase are each described adhesive phase of second aspect present invention independently of one another.

According to each manufacturing goods (or two stripping film) of third aspect present invention, each defines as second aspect present invention independently of one another for wherein said polymeric adhesive material and adjuvant.

Fourth aspect present invention provides a kind of electro-optic assemblies, it comprises first substrate, second substrate, in adhesive phase between described first and second substrates and the layer of electro-optic material between described first and second substrates, wherein said adhesive phase comprises polymeric adhesive material and adjuvant, and this adjuvant is selected from conductive metal powder, ferrofluid, non-reactive solvent, conductive organic compound and combination thereof.In one embodiment, described conductive metal powder comprises nickel.

First adhesive phase on the first surface of solid electro-optic medium layer;

According to each described electrophoretic medium of sixth aspect present invention, wherein said polymeric adhesive material is selected from: the bonding agent of polyurethane, vinyl acetate, vinyl acetate-ethene, epoxy resin, polyacrylic based, its commercial compositions (for example aqueous polyurethane emulsion) and combination thereof.In one embodiment, described cementing agent comprises polyurethane.

According to each described electrophoretic medium of sixth aspect present invention, wherein said adjuvant accounts for 0.5～20 weight % of described cementing agent, preferred 1～20 weight %, preferred 2～20 weight %, preferred 2～15 weight %, preferred 2～10 weight %, for example about 1 weight %, about 2 weight %, about 3 weight %, about 4 weight %, about 5 weight %, about 7.5 weight %, about 10 weight %, about 15 weight %, about 20 weight %.

According to each described electrophoretic medium of sixth aspect present invention, the weight ratio of polymeric adhesive material and adjuvant described in the wherein said cementing agent is 100: (1～60), preferred 100: (2～50), preferred 100: (2～40), preferred 100: (2～25), preferred 100: (2～20), preferred 100: (2～15), preferred 100: (2～10).

According to each described electrophoretic medium of sixth aspect present invention, wherein said cementing agent also comprises: salt, polyelectrolyte, polymer dielectric, solid electrolyte or its combination.In one embodiment, described salt is selected from: potassium acetate, tetraalkylammonium salt, tetrabutylammonium chloride, hexafluorophosphate.In one embodiment, described polyelectrolyte is selected from: polyacrylic alkali metal salt, for example sodium salt of PPA.

According to each described electrophoretic medium of sixth aspect present invention, wherein said cementing agent has the composition as each described adhesive phase of second aspect present invention.

Seventh aspect present invention provides a kind of electrophoretic medium, the cementing agent that it comprises a plurality of capsules and centers on described capsule, wherein each capsule comprises: capsule wall, be encapsulated in the suspension in the capsule wall, and a plurality of charged particles, described a plurality of charged particle be suspended in the suspension and when described electrophoretic medium is applied electric field this charged particle can move by described suspension, described cementing agent comprises polymeric adhesive material and adjuvant, and this adjuvant is selected from conductive metal powder, ferrofluid, non-reactive solvent, conductive organic compound and combination thereof.In one embodiment, described conductive metal powder comprises nickel.

According to each described bonding agent of eighth aspect present invention, wherein said polymeric adhesive material is selected from: the bonding agent of polyurethane, vinyl acetate, vinyl acetate-ethene, epoxy resin, polyacrylic based, its commercial compositions (for example aqueous polyurethane emulsion) and combination thereof.In one embodiment, described bonding agent comprises polyurethane.

According to each described bonding agent of eighth aspect present invention, wherein said adjuvant accounts for 0.5～20 weight % of described bonding agent, preferred 1～20 weight %, preferred 2～20 weight %, preferred 2～15 weight %, preferred 2～10 weight %, for example about 1 weight %, about 2 weight %, about 3 weight %, about 4 weight %, about 5 weight %, about 7.5 weight %, about 10 weight %, about 15 weight %, about 20 weight %.

According to each described bonding agent of eighth aspect present invention, wherein the weight ratio of polymeric adhesive material and adjuvant is 100: (1～60), preferred 100: (2～50), preferred 100: (2～40), preferred 100: (2～25), preferred 100: (2～20), preferred 100: (2～15), preferred 100: (2～10).

According to each described bonding agent of eighth aspect present invention, wherein also comprise: salt, polyelectrolyte, polymer dielectric, solid electrolyte or its combination.In one embodiment, described salt is selected from: potassium acetate, tetraalkylammonium salt, tetrabutylammonium chloride, hexafluorophosphate.In one embodiment, described polyelectrolyte is selected from: polyacrylic alkali metal salt, for example sodium salt of PPA.

Purposes according to tenth aspect present invention, wherein said adjuvant and polymeric adhesive material are used in combination, and this polymeric adhesive material is selected from: the bonding agent of polyurethane, vinyl acetate, vinyl acetate-ethene, epoxy resin, polyacrylic based, its commercial compositions (for example aqueous polyurethane emulsion) and combination thereof.In one embodiment, the weight ratio of described polymeric adhesive material and adjuvant is 100: (1～60), preferred 100: (2～50), preferred 100: (2～40), preferred 100: (2～25), preferred 100: (2～20), preferred 100: (2～15), preferred 100: (2～10).

In either side of the present invention, wherein the feature that is had between two or more embodiments arbitrarily can make up mutually, as long as they can be not conflicting.Certainly, when making up each other, necessary words can be done suitably to modify to individual features.In addition, the feature that either side of the present invention is related, it is equally applicable to the related same characteristic features of any others, and perhaps Bi Yao words can be done suitably to modify to individual features.

Be further described with characteristics to various aspects of the present invention below.

All documents that the present invention quoted from, their full content is incorporated this paper by reference into, and if the expressed implication of these documents and the present invention when inconsistent, be as the criterion with statement of the present invention.In addition, various terms and phrase that the present invention uses have the general sense of well known to a person skilled in the art, nonetheless, the present invention still wishes at this more detailed description and interpretation to be made in these terms and phrase, term of mentioning and phrase are as the criterion with the implication that the present invention was explained if any inconsistent with known implication.

As described herein, term " commercial compositions " is meant that with mentioned composition be the composition that uses for commodity that principal ingredient one of (or principal ingredient) is mixed with.The product of commodity NeoRez 9630 by name and NeoRez 9330 for example, be two kinds available from NeoResins, Inc., 730Main street, the dispersions of polyurethanes of Wilmington MA 01887.

As described herein, term " aqueous polyurethane emulsion " is meant with polyurethane to be the emulsion of the water-based made of principal ingredient.

As described herein, term " stripping film " also can be described as " releasing piece (release sheet) ".

As described herein, term " encapsulation " also can be described as " coating (encapsulated) ".

As described herein, term " pedestal " also can be described as " base plate (backplane) ".

One embodiment of the invention provides a kind of electro-optic assemblies, this assembly comprises first and second substrates, and adhesive phase between first and second substrates and layer of electro-optic material, adhesive phase comprises the potpourri of polymeric adhesive material and adjuvant, and this adjuvant is selected from: propylene glycol, butyl carbitol, methoxyl methyl alcohol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerine, Texanol, hexane diacid, phthalic acid, lusolvan FBH, Coasol, DBE-IB, DPnB, DowanolPPh, alcohol ester-12, hexanediol, its commercial compositions and combination thereof.In one embodiment, described adhesive phase can comprise the bonding agent of polyurethane, vinyl acetate, vinyl acetate-ethene, epoxy resin or polyacrylic based.

In one embodiment, can also comprise salt in the described adhesive phase.Salt for example can be, inorganic salts, organic salt or its combination.In a specific embodiment, salt comprises potassium acetate.In other embodiments, salt can comprise quaternary ammonium salt, and tetraalkylammonium salt for example is as tetrabutylammonium chloride or hexafluorophosphate.

In one embodiment, can also comprise polyelectrolyte in the described adhesive phase.Polyelectrolyte for example can comprise, the salt of polyacid for example, but is not limited to, polyacrylic alkali metal salt.

The adhesive phase that comprises adjuvant can provide other function except that the bonding agent function.For example, this adhesive phase can have the zone of different colours and be used as color filter.Perhaps, this adhesive phase can comprise the optical polarization element.

In electro-optic assemblies, at least one comprised electrode of first and second substrates.In a specific embodiment, each first and second substrate comprises at least one electrode.In another specific embodiment, first substrate can comprise light transmission conductive layer (it can be used as electrode), and second substrate can comprise stripping film, and electro-optic media can be a solid electro-optic medium; Therefore, the form of whole electro-optic assemblies can for the front plane laminate in above-mentioned 2004/0027327, described (front plane laminate, FPL).

Of the present invention further aspect, a kind of manufacturing goods (two stripping film) are provided, these manufacturing goods comprise: the solid electro-optic medium layer that contains first and second surfaces on its opposite flank; First adhesive phase on the first surface of solid electro-optic medium layer; Be positioned at the stripping film from the first adhesive phase opposite flank of solid electro-optic medium layer; With second adhesive phase on the second surface of solid electro-optic medium layer; At least one of first and second adhesive phases comprises the potpourri of polymeric adhesive material and adjuvant, and this adjuvant is selected from: propylene glycol, butyl carbitol, methoxyl methyl alcohol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerine, Texanol, hexane diacid, phthalic acid, lusolvan FBH, Coasol, DBE-IB, DPnB, Dowanol PPh, alcohol ester-12, hexanediol, its commercial compositions and combination thereof.Further, this adjuvant also can be selected from: salt, polyelectrolyte, polymer dielectric, solid electrolyte and combination thereof.

In another aspect of this invention, a kind of electro-optic assemblies is provided, this assembly comprises first and second substrates, and adhesive phase between first and second substrates and layer of electro-optic material, adhesive phase comprises the potpourri of polymeric adhesive material and adjuvant, and this adjuvant is selected from: propylene glycol, butyl carbitol, methoxyl methyl alcohol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerine, Texanol, hexane diacid, phthalic acid, lusolvan FBH, Coasol, DBE-IB, DPnB, DowanolPPh, alcohol ester-12, hexanediol, its commercial compositions and combination thereof.Further, this adjuvant also can be selected from: this adjuvant is selected from conductive metal powder, ferrofluid, non-reactive solvent, conductive organic compound and combination thereof.Conductive metal powder for example can be, nickel.

Of the present invention still further aspect, a kind of manufacturing goods (two stripping film) are provided, these manufacturing goods comprise: the solid electro-optic medium layer that contains first and second surfaces on its opposite flank; First adhesive phase on the first surface of solid electro-optic medium layer; Be positioned at the stripping film from the first adhesive phase opposite flank of solid electro-optic medium layer; With second adhesive phase on the second surface of solid electro-optic medium layer; At least one of first and second adhesive phases comprises the potpourri of polymeric adhesive material and adjuvant, and this adjuvant is selected from: propylene glycol, butyl carbitol, methoxyl methyl alcohol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerine, Texanol, hexane diacid, phthalic acid, lusolvan FBH, Coasol, DBE-IB, DPnB, Dowanol PPh, alcohol ester-12, hexanediol, its commercial compositions and combination thereof.Further, this adjuvant also can be selected from: conductive metal powder, ferrofluid, non-reactive solvent, conductive organic compound and combination thereof.Conductive metal powder for example can be, nickel.

On the other hand, a kind of electrophoretic medium that comprises a plurality of capsules is provided, each capsule comprises capsule wall, be encapsulated in the suspension in the capsule wall and in suspension, suspend and can be when medium is applied electric field from its a plurality of charged particles that move, medium further comprises the cementing agent around capsule, cementing agent comprises the potpourri of polymeric adhesive material and adjuvant, and this adjuvant is selected from: propylene glycol, butyl carbitol, methoxyl methyl alcohol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerine, Texanol, hexane diacid, phthalic acid, lusolvan FBH, Coasol, DBE-IB, DPnB, Dowanol PPh, alcohol ester-12, hexanediol, its commercial compositions and combination thereof.In one embodiment, this adjuvant also can be selected from: salt, polyelectrolyte, polymer dielectric, solid electrolyte and combination thereof.In one embodiment, described cementing agent can comprise the bonding agent of polyurethane, vinyl acetate, vinyl acetate-ethene, epoxy resin or polyacrylic based.

In one embodiment, the cementing agent that is used for described electrophoretic medium can also comprise salt.Salt for example can be, inorganic salts, organic salt or its combination.In a specific embodiment, salt comprises potassium acetate.In other embodiments, salt can comprise quaternary ammonium salt, and tetraalkylammonium salt for example is as tetrabutylammonium chloride or hexafluorophosphate.

Adjuvant in the cementing agent is in the embodiment of polyelectrolyte therein, and polyelectrolyte can comprise the salt of polyacid, for example polyacrylic alkali metal salt.

The cementing agent that comprises adjuvant can provide bonding agent function other function in addition.For example, cementing agent can comprise the optical polarization assembly.

Still on the other hand, a kind of electrophoretic medium that comprises a plurality of capsules is provided, each capsule comprises capsule wall, be encapsulated in the suspension in the capsule wall and in suspension, suspend and can be when medium is applied electric field from its a plurality of charged particles that move, medium further comprises the cementing agent around capsule, cementing agent comprises the potpourri of polymeric adhesive material and adjuvant, and this adjuvant is selected from conductive metal powder, ferrofluid, non-reactive solvent, conductive organic compound and combination thereof.

On the other hand, a kind of bonding agent that comprises the potpourri of polymeric adhesive material and adjuvant is provided, and this adjuvant is selected from propylene glycol, butyl carbitol, methoxyl methyl alcohol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerine, Texanol, hexane diacid, phthalic acid, lusolvan FBH, Coasol, DBE-IB, DPnB, Dowanol PPh, alcohol ester-12, hexanediol, its commercial compositions and combination thereof.In one embodiment, this adjuvant also can be selected from: salt, polyelectrolyte, polymer dielectric, solid electrolyte and combination thereof.In one embodiment, described bonding agent can comprise the bonding agent of polyurethane, vinyl acetate, vinyl acetate-ethene, epoxy resin or polyacrylic based.

At last, provide a kind of bonding agent that comprises the potpourri of polymeric adhesive material and adjuvant, this adjuvant is selected from conductive metal powder, ferrofluid, non-reactive solvent, conductive organic compound and combination thereof.In this bonding agent, polymeric adhesive material can be selected from the bonding agent and the combination thereof of polyurethane, vinyl acetate, vinyl acetate-ethene, epoxy resin, polyacrylic based.

As has already been described, herein disclosed is some adjuvant, it is used for the adhesive phase of electro-optic assemblies and display, and is used for around the cementing agent of the capsule of encapsulated electrophoretic medium, with the specific insulation of control adhesive material.Adhesive phase disclosed herein and cementing agent can change specific insulation and not change the mechanical property of adhesive phase or cementing agent substantially.By adding one or more adjuvants, described adhesive phase and cementing agent have been expanded the selection of adhesive material, and this adhesive material has required mechanical property but can not use in addition, because their specific insulation is inappropriate.Therefore, people can " thin tuning " adhesive phase or the specific insulation of cementing agent, promptly regulates the optimum value of the specific insulation of material to particular display or electrophoretic medium.

Electro-optic assemblies of the present invention can constitute complete electro-optical display or only constitute the sub-component of this kind display.As has already been described, and in above-mentioned E Ink and MIT patent and application, go through like that, complete electro-optical display requires to exist at least one and two electrodes normally, to produce the necessary electric field of optical states that changes electrooptic material; Although only have one can be the permanent part of display in two electrodes in some cases, and the form of another electrode be a removable stylus or can be at the analogous instrument that moves on the display to write on display.When the form of electro-optic assemblies of the present invention is that each of first and second substrates comprises at least one electrode when containing the complete display of two or more permanent electrodes.For example, this assembly can have the form of Active Matrix Display, wherein first substrate comprises that the single continuous euphotic electrode that extends through a plurality of pixels (and being generally whole display) (in fact, first substrate also comprises polymer film or similar supporting layer usually, and its euphotic electrode and crisp relatively electrode of protection that supports relative thin is avoided mechanical damage); And second substrate has the form of pedestal, and it comprises carrier part and a plurality of pixel capacitors, the single pixel of its definition display.Apparently, this kind pedestal can further comprise nonlinear device (normally thin film transistor (TFT)) and be used at other circuit (promptly switching different pixels to providing required image necessary optical states on display) that produces the required electromotive force of driving display on the pixel capacitors.

Perhaps, electro-optic assemblies of the present invention can constitute the sub-component of this kind complete display.Especially, this electro-optic assemblies can have the form of the front plane laminate described in above-mentioned 2004/0027327.In this kind front plane laminate; a substrate (for simplicity; be called first substrate) comprise the light transmission conductive layer that wish to form electrode before the final display (moreover; this first substrate also comprises polymer film or similar supporting layer usually; it supports the relative thin conductive layer and protects it to avoid mechanical damage); and this second substrate comprises stripping film, and it was removed before forming final display front plane laminate being laminated to pedestal.

Really, many pairs of stripping films of the present invention can be thought special types of electro-optic assemblies of the present invention.In fact, this type of pair stripping film is usually included in the layer of electro-optic material that contains adhesive phase on two side, and two adhesive phases are covered by stripping film.The two stripping films of this kind comprise wherein two electro-optic assemblies of the present invention that substrate is a stripping film.

Adhesive phase or cementing agent comprise that one or more are selected from following adjuvant: (a) propylene glycol, butyl carbitol, methoxyl methyl alcohol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerine, Texanol, hexane diacid, phthalic acid, lusolvan FBH, Coasol, DBE-IB, DPnB, Dowanol PPh, alcohol ester-12, hexanediol, its commercial compositions and combination thereof; (b) salt, polyelectrolyte, polymer dielectric, solid electrolyte and combination thereof; Or (c) conductive metal powder, ferrofluid, non-reactive solvent, conductive organic compound and combination thereof.

In certain embodiments, described adjuvant can be salt such as inorganic salts, organic salt or its combination.The salt of example comprises potassium acetate and tetraalkylammonium salt, especially 4-butyl ammonium such as chloride.The further example of salt comprises lithium salts such as LiCF3SOF3, LiClO4, LiPF6, LiBF4, LiAsF6 and LiN (CF3SO2) 3.At present preferred salt is hexafluorophosphate, mainly is because the stability and the inertia of this salt.

In other embodiment, polymer dielectric is a polyelectrolyte.Polyelectrolyte is polymkeric substance normally, wherein about 10% or more molecule by can ionization forming with the functional group that forms live part.The example of some functional group includes, but are not limited to carboxylic acid, sulfonic acid, phosphoric acid and quaternary ammonium compound in the polyelectrolyte.These polymkeric substance can or use separately with the combination of organic or inorganic salt.The example of polyelectrolyte includes but not limited to polyacrylic acid, poly styrene sulfonate, poly-(2-vinylpyridine), poly-(4-vinylpridine), poly-(dimethylammonium chloride), poly-(dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate), poly-(diethyl aminoethyl methacrylate).Preferred polyelectrolyte is the sodium salt of polyacrylic acid (PAA).

In further embodiment of the present invention, described adjuvant is a polymer dielectric.Term " polymer " electrolyte used herein " describe can solubilising salt polymkeric substance.The solubleness of salt in these polymkeric substance can be by polymkeric substance in the existence of oxygen and/or nitrogen-atoms improve, this atom forms ether, carbonyl, carboxylic acid, primary, secondary, uncle and Ji amino, sulfonic acid etc.The example of polymer dielectric comprises polyether compound such as poly epoxy resin ethane, poly epoxy resin propane, PolyTHF (polytetramethyleneoxide), polyamine such as polyethyleneimine, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, the polymkeric substance that comprises quaternary ammonium group such as N+R1R2R3R4, wherein R1, R2, R3 and R4 are H or straight chain, side chain or the cyclic alkyl that contains 1-25 carbon atom independently of one another, and wherein gegenion can be selected from any organic or inorganic negative ion.

In the present invention, for example following adjuvant: propylene glycol, butyl carbitol, methoxyl methyl alcohol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerine, Texanol, hexane diacid, phthalic acid, lusolvan FBH, Coasol, DBE-IB, DPnB, Dowanol PPh, alcohol ester-12, hexanediol, its commercial compositions and combination thereof, they all help film formed effect to have common character basically because of having, and promptly can form assistant as film.

Other adjuvant can comprise conductive metal powder, ferrofluid and/or non-reactive solvent again, and it is mobile in solution that this non-reactive solvent can improve or hinder ion.The example of suitable non-reactive solvent comprises water, ether, dipropyl ether, diglycol, glyme, diethylene glycol dimethyl ether, N-Methyl pyrrolidone etc.In another embodiment still, conductive organic compound can be used as adjuvant.Some non-limitative examples of these compounds comprise polyaniline, polythiophene, polypyrrole, poly--3,4-dioxy ethene thiophene, and these materials are at the derivant of their n-or p-dopant states.

The polymeric adhesive material that is used for adhesive phase or cementing agent can be to satisfy any polymeric material that final use is used.The example of suitable polymers adhesive material comprises bonding agent or its combination of polyurethane, vinyl acetate, vinyl acetate-ethene, epoxy resin, polyacrylic based.These adhesive materials can be solvent bases or water base.The example of operable particular polyurethane is described in submission on November 18th, 2003 and assigns in Air Products andChemicals, the U. S. application series No.10/715 co-pending of Inc, 916.

The adjuvant of introducing polymeric adhesive material can original position form; In other words, one or more precursor materials can be introduced in polymeric adhesive material or the cementing agent, wherein precursor material can react to each other, perhaps with polymer adhesive or cementing agent reaction, or adhesive material or cementing agent exposed to the open air can cause that the condition (for example, exposing to the open air heat, light or magnetic field or electric field) that changes in the precursor material to form final adjuvant causes variation down.

Adhesive material or cementing agent can comprise the component (or other adulterant) except that the adjuvant that is used to regulate its specific insulation; For example, adhesive material or cementing agent also can comprise dyestuff or other colorant.Known to providing color filter to form panchromatic electro-optical display with individual layer on the observation surface (observer is by the surface of its observation display) of display, this color filter comprises the pixel of different colours (for example red, green and blue).Yet, when color filter is separated with electrooptic material in this way, have the possibility of pattern distortion when under being basically perpendicular to the angle of observing the surface, observing color image.For avoiding such problem, need just near electrooptic material self, to place immediately color filter in principle.Yet this requirement is placed color filter between the electrode of display, make the electrical property of color filter influence the performance of display.This is the specific question that adopts color filter, and reason is that such filtrator is usually by adopting three kinds of different dyes or dye mixture that polymeric base material dyeing is formed to form redness, green and blueness or other color part; And unlikely is that three kinds of different dyes can influence the electrical property of color filter in the same manner.It is even substantially that adhesive phase described herein and cementing agent can be used for the electrical property of offsetting the influence of different dyes and making color filter, thereby avoid because inhomogeneous electrical property and the artefact that occurs on image in the color filter.

Also known (referring to above-mentioned 2003/0011560) " optical polarization assembly " can be provided in the cementing agent or laminating adhesive of encapsulated electrophoretic display, to regulate the outward appearance of display.Provide this optical polarization assembly can influence the electrical property of bonding agent or cementing agent, and comprise the bonding agent of this optical polarization assembly or the electrical property of cementing agent can be optimized by using adjuvant described herein.

The optimal amount of adjuvant can vary widely because of definite polymeric binder or adhesive material, the definite adjuvant of use and the intended volume resistivity of final mixture.Yet, usually can indicate, find can arrive useful results as the consumption of the present invention's adjuvant mentioned above.As shown in following examples, the specific insulation of adhesive material is usually with the concentration change of predictable mode with adjuvant, and therefore should add how many adjuvants and can easily rule of thumb determine with the final selection that reaches volume required resistivity.

Usually, do not require that special process is to introduce adhesive material with adjuvant.If as under typical situation, adhesive phase is formed by following mode: the latex of adhesive material or the film of solution are coated on the substrate, or be coated on the electrooptic material, dry again to form adhesive phase, usually before applying, with the dissolving or disperse in the latex of adhesive material or solution simply of this adjuvant.Adjuvant can be joined in latex or the solution only, perhaps can water-soluble solution, in non-aqueous solution or its combination.Similarly, as under typical situation, electrophoretic medium is formed by following mode: make the slurry of capsule in liquid mix with the latex or the solution of polymeric binder, with the gained potpourri be coated on the substrate, drying to be to form electrophoretic medium again; With this latex or solution with before capsule mixes, usually adjuvant is dissolved in simply or is scattered in the latex or solution of polymeric binder.Certainly must guarantee even dispersing additive in whole adhesive material, to prevent the variation of conductivity in final bonding agent or the adhesive layer, but technical field of coatings technician is familiar with conventional technology, as very long stirring on roll mill to guarantee this even dispersion.

The selection of used concrete adjuvant is mainly by joining the consideration domination of the solubleness in wherein the adhesive material with the compatibility of other component of adhesive phase with at adjuvant.If as under typical situation, adjuvant will join in the aqueous latex of adhesive material, should select adjuvant to have good water solubility, make in salt preferred as alkali salt and substituted ammonium salt usually.It should be noted that and guarantee that adjuvant does not cause the gathering of latex particle.Equally, adjuvant should expect can not to cause the bigger variation of the pH of adhesive material, and other parts (for example pedestal) the generation chemical reaction of the final display that should be finally contact with adhesive material or its.

The scope of polymeric material can be greatly expanded in the adding of one or more adjuvants, and this material can be used as cementing agent and the laminating adhesive in the electro-optical display.Especially, the adding of one or more adjuvants can be used polymeric material, and this material has in the electro-optical display very desired mechanical characteristics, can not use but their pure state lower volume resistivity is too high.Equally, because some electro-optical displays, particularly Feng Zhuan electrophoretic display device (EPD) and electrochromic display device (ECD) are to moisture-sensitive, and the adding of one or more adjuvants can be used for replacing being used from non-hygroscopic and/or hydrophobic polymer material one up to now the water-based polyurethane dispersion of this type of display.

Should be appreciated that modified adhesive disclosed herein and cementing agent can be used for the application except that electro-optical display.

Now only as an illustration, Fig. 1 with reference to the accompanying drawings describes the particularly preferred embodiment of electro-optic assemblies of the present invention, and Fig. 1 is the schematic cross-sectional with electro-optic assemblies of front plane laminate form.This electro-optic assemblies comprises second substrate of substrate, conductive layer, electro-optic layer, adhesive phase and stripping film form; This sub-component being laminated to before second assembly is pedestal, this assembly is described in the interstage of electro-optical display manufacturing process.

Front plane laminate shown in Figure 1 (being commonly referred to 100) comprises light-transmissive substrates 110, euphotic electrode layer 120, electro-optic layer 130, lamination adhesive layer 180 and stripping film 190; FPL100 is laminated to pedestal from the technology that lamination adhesive layer 180 is removed stripping film is described preparing to make.

Substrate 110 is overlay normally, as 7 mils (177um) polyethylene terephthalate sheet.The lower surface of substrate 110 (in Fig. 1); it forms the observation surface of final display; can contain one or more other layer (not shown); for example absorb the protective seam of ultraviolet radiation; prevent that oxygen or moisture from invading the screen layer of final display and improving the antireflecting coating of display optics performance.Being coated on the upper surface of substrate 110 is thin light transmission conductive layer 120, the light transmission conductive layer of preferred ITO, and it is as electrode before final display total.Commercially available by the PET film that ITO applies.

Usually apply two layers that electrically contact by slit die, electro-optic layer 130 can be deposited on the conductive layer 120.The electro-optic layer 130 that Fig. 1 shows is encapsulated electrophoretic mediums, and comprises microcapsules 140, and each microcapsules is included in the electronegative white particles 150 of suspension in the alkyl suspension 165 and the black particles 160 of positively charged.Microcapsules 140 remain in the polymeric binder 170.When applying electric field through electro-optic layer 130, white particles 150 moves to positive electrode, black particles 160 moves to negative electrode, make electro-optic layer 130 be shown as (for observe the observer of this display by substrate 110) white or black, this depends on that conductive layer 120 is positive or negative with respect to the adjacent image point electrode in the pedestal.

FPL100 is prepared by following mode ideally: by the slit die coating laminating adhesive 180 is coated on the stripping film 190 easily with liquid form, dry (or solidifying in addition) this bonding agent is to form solid layer, then this bonding agent and stripping film are laminated to electro-optic layer 130, it before had been coated on the substrate 110 that has conductive layer 120; This lamination can use hot-roll lamination to carry out easily.(perhaps, but more do not expect, laminating adhesive can be applied on the electro-optic layer 130 dry or curing in addition before covering then with stripping film 190).Stripping film 190 is 7 mils (177um) films easily; Depend on the character of used electro-optic media, may need to adopt for example this film of silicone coating of release agent.As illustrated in fig. 1,, stripping film 190 peeled off or removed from laminating adhesive 180 in addition FPL100 being laminated to the pedestal (not shown) with before forming final display.

Adjuvant (for example hexafluorophosphate) is included in cementing agent 170 and/or the laminating adhesive 180.If this adjuvant will be included in the cementing agent 170, it is joined in the capsule/binder slurry easily, this slurry is coated on the film that comprises substrate 110 and conductive layer 120, as described in above-mentioned E Ink and MIT patent and the application.Similarly, as discussed previously, if this adjuvant will be included in the laminating adhesive 180, before coated with cambium layer 180, this adjuvant is added easily in the liquid form of laminating adhesive.

Can further describe the present invention by the following specific embodiments.Yet scope of the present invention is not limited to following embodiment.It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that under the prerequisite that does not deviate from the spirit and scope of the present invention, can carry out various variations and modification the present invention.The present invention carries out generality and/or concrete description to the material and the test method that are used in the test.Though for realizing that employed many materials of the object of the invention and method of operating are well known in the art, the present invention still does to describe in detail as far as possible at this.

Embodiment 1: the potpourri and the Performance Detection that comprise polymeric adhesive material and adjuvant

Take by weighing the aqueous polyurethane emulsion (polyurethane content is 50% (w/v)) that 100g prepares in advance, 3g alcohol ester-12 is added in the aqueous polyurethane emulsion, the stirring rate of 250rpm is mixed, potpourri behind the mixing 1h, the adhesive material that can be used for Electronic Paper assembling is promptly as the material (alcohol ester-12 is 6% than the percent by weight of polyurethane) of lamination adhesive layer 180.Test with the alcohol ester-12 of other amount similarly.

Make after the potpourri by the said method step, can utilize the coating instrument that this potpourri (as the material of lamination adhesive layer 180) accurately is coated with or is printed on the electrophoretic ink layer (being optical layers 130), obtains the electrophoretic display materials layer through being heating and curing.Subsequently with above-mentioned electrophoretic display materials layer with the ITO conductive layer hot pressing be in the same place, obtain the electrophoresis showed film.Test data such as powering up the black and white reflectivity that drives rear electrophoresis and show film, contrast with spectrophotometer.In addition, measure the specific insulation of top gained electrophoresis showed film.

Have advantages such as high-contrast and high black and white reflectivity by said mixture as the prepared electrophoresis showed diaphragm of the material of lamination adhesive layer 180; The contrast of the lamination adhesive layer of preparing with adjuvant of the present invention has improved 1-5 unit when not adding described adjuvant, and the result is as shown in table 1.After adding adjuvant of the present invention, the specific insulation of electrophoresis showed film also has reduction, the results are shown in Figure 2.After adding adjuvant of the present invention simultaneously, the temperature variant stability of the specific insulation of lamination adhesive layer improves, and the results are shown in Figure 3.

The black and white reflectivity of table 1 electrophoresis showed film, contrast test result

The amount of alcohol ester-12	L ^＊In vain	L ^＊Black	R is white	R is black	Contrast
							0	67.02	26.70	36.65	4.99	8.45
1％	67.89	23.35	37.82	3.90	9.69
						2％	68.34	23.08	38.43	3.82	10.05
6％	68.31	21.78	3.45	38.39	11.11
						10％	69.09	20.77	3.18	39.47	12.39

Annotate: 1, L ^*Numerical value has embodied the reflective light intensity that shows film, L ^*The high more reflectivity that just means of value is strong more.

2, R numerical value has embodied the reflectivity values that shows film, R=((L ^*+ 16)/116) ³* 100%.

3, contrast=R white/R is black.

4, the amount of alcohol ester-12 is meant the percent by weight of alcohol ester-12 than polyurethane.

Embodiment 2: the potpourri and the Performance Detection that comprise polymeric adhesive material and adjuvant

Take by weighing the aqueous polyurethane emulsion (polyurethane content is 50% (w/v)) that 100g prepares in advance, the 3g propylene glycol is added in the aqueous polyurethane emulsion, the stirring rate of 250rpm is mixed, potpourri behind the mixing 1h, the adhesive material that can be used for Electronic Paper assembling is promptly as the material (propylene glycol is 6% than the percent by weight of polyurethane) of lamination adhesive layer 180.Test with the propylene glycol of other amount similarly.

Have advantages such as high-contrast and high black and white reflectivity by said mixture as the prepared electrophoresis showed diaphragm of the material of lamination adhesive layer 180; The contrast of the lamination adhesive layer of preparing with adjuvant of the present invention has not improved 1-4 unit constantly than not adding described adjuvant, and the result is as shown in table 1.After adding adjuvant of the present invention, the specific insulation of electrophoresis showed film also has reduction, the results are shown in Figure 2.

The black and white reflectivity of table 2 electrophoresis showed film, contrast test result

The amount of propylene glycol	L ^＊In vain	L ^＊Black	R is white	R is black	Contrast
							0	67.02	26.70	36.65	4.99	8.45
1％	68.40	25.02	38.52	4.42	8.72
						2％	68.99	23.88	39.33	4.06	9.68
6％	68.76	22.73	39.01	3.72	10.49
						10％	68.94	21.78	39.26	3.45	11.38

3, contrast=R white/R is black.

4, the amount of propylene glycol is meant the percent by weight of propylene glycol than polyurethane.

Embodiment 3: the potpourri and the Performance Detection that comprise polymeric adhesive material and adjuvant

Take by weighing the aqueous polyurethane emulsion (polyurethane content is 50% (w/v)) that 100g prepares in advance, 5g alcohol ester-12 and 0.5g polystyrene copolymerization maleic anhydride sodium salt are added in the aqueous polyurethane emulsion, the stirring rate of 250rpm is mixed, potpourri behind the mixing 1h, the adhesive material that can be used for Electronic Paper assembling is promptly as the material (propylene glycol is 6% than the percent by weight of polyurethane) of lamination adhesive layer 180.Test with the propylene glycol of other amount similarly.

The black and white reflectivity of table 3 electrophoresis showed film, contrast test result

The amount of adjuvant	L ^＊In vain	L ^＊Black	R is white	R is black	Contrast
						0	67.02	26.70	36.65	4.99	8.45
1% alcohol ester-12+0.5% sodium salt	69.67	22.92	40.28	3.78	10.67

3, contrast=R white/R is black.

4, the amount of adjuvant is meant the percent by weight of adjuvant than polyurethane.

Claims

1. electro-optic assemblies, it comprises: first substrate, second substrate, adhesive phase between described first and second substrates, and the layer of electro-optic material between described first and second substrates, described adhesive phase comprises polymeric adhesive material and adjuvant, and described adjuvant is selected from: propylene glycol, butyl carbitol, methoxyl methyl alcohol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerine, Texanol, hexane diacid, phthalic acid, lusolvan FBH, Coasol, DBE-IB, DPnB, Dowanol PPh, alcohol ester-12, hexanediol, its commercial compositions and combination thereof.

2. according to the electro-optic assemblies of claim 1, wherein said polymeric adhesive material is selected from: the bonding agent of polyurethane, vinyl acetate, vinyl acetate-ethene (vinyl acetate ethylene), epoxy resin (epoxy), polyacrylic based, its commercial compositions (for example aqueous polyurethane emulsion) and combination thereof.

3. according to each electro-optic assemblies of claim 1 to 2, wherein said adjuvant accounts for 0.5～20 weight % of described adhesive phase, and the weight ratio of polymeric adhesive material and adjuvant is 100 described in the perhaps wherein said adhesive phase: (1～60).

4. according to each electro-optic assemblies of claim 1 to 3, it is characterized in that following (a) to (f) each or multinomial:

(a) described adhesive phase also comprises: salt, polyelectrolyte, polymer dielectric, solid electrolyte or its combination;

(b) the described adhesive phase that comprises adjuvant has the zone of different colours as color filter;

(c) the described adhesive phase that comprises adjuvant further comprises the optical polarization element;

(d) at least one in described first substrate and second substrate comprises electrode;

(e) described first substrate and second substrate comprise at least one electrode independently of one another; With

(f) described first substrate comprises the printing opacity conductive electrode, and described second substrate comprises stripping film, and described electro-optic media is a solid electro-optic medium.

5. adhesive phase, it comprises polymeric adhesive material and adjuvant, and described adjuvant is selected from: propylene glycol, butyl carbitol, methoxyl methyl alcohol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerine, Texanol, hexane diacid, phthalic acid, lusolvan FBH, Coasol, DBE-IB, DPnB, Dowanol PPh, alcohol ester-12, hexanediol, its commercial compositions and combination thereof.

6. according to the adhesive phase of claim 5, wherein said polymeric adhesive material is selected from: the bonding agent of polyurethane, vinyl acetate, vinyl acetate-ethene, epoxy resin, polyacrylic based, its commercial compositions (for example aqueous polyurethane emulsion) and combination thereof.

7. according to each adhesive phase of claim 5 to 6, it is characterized in that following (a) to (d) each or multinomial:

(a) described adjuvant accounts for 0.5～20 weight % of described adhesive phase, and perhaps wherein the weight ratio of polymeric adhesive material and adjuvant is 100: (1～60);

(b) described adhesive phase also comprises: salt, polyelectrolyte, polymer dielectric, solid electrolyte or its combination;

(c) the described adhesive phase that comprises adjuvant has the zone of different colours as color filter; With

(d) the described adhesive phase that comprises adjuvant further comprises the optical polarization element.

8. two stripping film, it comprises:

First adhesive phase on the first surface of solid electro-optic medium layer;

Second adhesive phase on the second surface of solid electro-optic medium layer,

9. two stripping films according to Claim 8, wherein said first adhesive phase and second adhesive phase are each described adhesive phase of claim 5 to 7 independently of one another.

10. electrophoretic medium, the cementing agent that it comprises a plurality of capsules and centers on described capsule, wherein each capsule comprises: capsule wall, be encapsulated in the suspension in the capsule wall, and a plurality of charged particles, described a plurality of charged particle be suspended in the suspension and when described electrophoretic medium is applied electric field this charged particle can move by described suspension, described cementing agent comprises polymeric adhesive material and adjuvant, and described adjuvant is selected from: propylene glycol, butyl carbitol, methoxyl methyl alcohol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerine, Texanol, hexane diacid, phthalic acid, lusolvan FBH, Coasol, DBE-IB, DPnB, Dowanol PPh, alcohol ester-12, hexanediol, its commercial compositions and combination thereof.

11. according to the electrophoretic medium of claim 10, wherein said polymeric adhesive material is selected from: the bonding agent of polyurethane, vinyl acetate, vinyl acetate-ethene, epoxy resin, polyacrylic based, its commercial compositions (for example aqueous polyurethane emulsion) and combination thereof.

12. according to each electrophoretic medium of claim 10 to 11, it is characterized in that following (a) to (c) each or multinomial:

(a) described adjuvant accounts for 0.5～20 weight % of described cementing agent, and the weight ratio of polymeric adhesive material and adjuvant is 100 described in the perhaps wherein said cementing agent: (1～60);

(b) described cementing agent also comprises: salt, polyelectrolyte, polymer dielectric, solid electrolyte or its combination; With

(c) described cementing agent has the composition as each described adhesive phase of claim 9 to 14.

13. bonding agent, it comprises polymeric adhesive material and adjuvant, and described adjuvant is selected from: propylene glycol, butyl carbitol, methoxyl methyl alcohol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerine, Texanol, hexane diacid, phthalic acid, lusolvan FBH, Coasol, DBE-IB, DPnB, Dowanol PPh, alcohol ester-12, hexanediol, its commercial compositions and combination thereof.

14. according to the bonding agent of claim 13, wherein said polymeric adhesive material is selected from: the bonding agent of polyurethane, vinyl acetate, vinyl acetate-ethene, epoxy resin, polyacrylic based, its commercial compositions (for example aqueous polyurethane emulsion) and combination thereof.

15. according to each bonding agent of claim 12 to 13, wherein said adjuvant accounts for 0.5～20 weight % of described bonding agent, perhaps wherein the weight ratio of polymeric adhesive material and adjuvant is 100: (1～60).

16. adjuvant is at the specific insulation that reduces product and/or improve purposes in the electrooptics performance of product, described product includes but not limited to electro-optic assemblies, two stripping films, electrophoretic medium, bonding agent, electro-optical display, electrooptic material, electrophoretic display device (EPD), electro-optic media, Electronic Paper, electronic-paper display screen etc., described adjuvant is selected from: propylene glycol, butyl carbitol, methoxyl methyl alcohol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerine, Texanol, hexane diacid, phthalic acid, lusolvan FBH, Coasol, DBE-IB, DPnB, Dowanol PPh, alcohol ester-12, hexanediol, its commercial compositions and combination thereof.

17. purposes according to claim 16, wherein said adjuvant and polymeric adhesive material are used in combination, and this polymeric adhesive material is selected from: the bonding agent of polyurethane, vinyl acetate, vinyl acetate-ethene, epoxy resin, polyacrylic based,, its commercial compositions (for example aqueous polyurethane emulsion) and the combination.In one embodiment, the weight ratio of described polymeric adhesive material and adjuvant is 100: (1～60).