JP5440844B2 - Organic EL panel and manufacturing method thereof - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an organic EL panel in which an organic EL (electroluminescence) element having at least an organic light emitting layer sandwiched between a first electrode and a second electrode is formed on a support substrate, and in particular, a dot matrix. The present invention relates to a type organic EL panel and a method for manufacturing the same.

  Conventionally, various organic EL panels have been proposed, for example, disclosed in Patent Document 1. The organic EL panel is a glass substrate (supporting substrate) formed with a light emitting portion made of an organic EL element. The organic EL element includes a transparent electrode (first electrode), an insulating film, an organic layer, and a back electrode ( Second electrode). The organic layer has at least an organic light emitting layer, and includes, for example, a hole injection transport layer, an organic light emission layer, an electron transport layer, and an electron injection layer. A laminated portion of the transparent electrode, the organic layer, and the back electrode is a light emitting portion. The light emitting part is hermetically covered with a sealing member, and this sealing member is bonded to the glass substrate.

  In addition, the passive matrix type organic EL panel is formed by forming the first electrode and the second electrode in a plurality of lines intersecting each other, so that the intersection of the first electrode and the second electrode serves as a light emitting pixel, and emits light. Pixels are arranged in a matrix. In the definition of the light emitting pixel, a method is generally employed in which the first electrode is covered with an insulating film, and only the portion that becomes the light emitting pixel is exposed from the opening. In forming the second electrode, a method is known in which a partition wall is formed so as to intersect the first electrode, and the second electrode formed by vapor deposition or the like is separated into lines by the partition wall.

  In the manufacturing process of the organic EL panel, each part is formed on a support substrate, and a predetermined voltage is applied between both electrodes in a nitrogen atmosphere in which a predetermined concentration of oxygen is sealed, so that at least the second electrode is It is known to perform an aging process for removing a defective portion in contact with the first electrode (see, for example, Patent Document 2). In such a manufacturing process, there is a case where a predetermined voltage is applied between both electrodes after forming each part on a support substrate and disposing a sealing member in a nitrogen atmosphere filled with a predetermined concentration of oxygen.

JP-A-7-169567 JP 2003-282249 A

  However, as described above, when oxygen is sealed in the sealing space that houses the light emitting portion during the manufacturing process of the organic EL panel, oxygen is used to cause a non-dark frame called a dark frame from the side on the partition wall side of the light emitting pixel. In the initial state of the product, a light emitting region is generated, and the width between the light emitting pixels and the vertical direction looks larger than the width in the direction parallel to the barrier ribs, which deteriorates the appearance.

  This invention is made | formed in view of this problem, and provides the organic electroluminescent panel which can suppress the fall of the appearance in an initial state, and its manufacturing method.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a first electrode formed in a plurality of lines on a support substrate, a second electrode formed in a plurality of lines so as to be orthogonal to the first electrode, An organic light emitting layer formed between the first electrode and the second electrode; an insulating film formed to cover the first electrode and having a plurality of openings exposing a part of the first electrode; A light-emitting section formed in a plurality of lines so as to be orthogonal to the first electrode and separating the second electrode into a plurality of portions, and a laminated portion of the first electrode, the organic light-emitting layer, and the second electrode A sealing member disposed on the support substrate so as to hermetically cover the insulating substrate, wherein the insulating film has a width in a direction perpendicular to the partition between the openings. It is formed to be smaller than the width in the parallel direction. To.

The insulating film may be formed between the openings according to an oxygen concentration sealed in a sealing space that houses the light emitting part in a sealing step in which the sealing member is disposed on the support substrate. The difference between the width in the direction parallel to the partition and the width in the direction perpendicular to the partition is set ,
When the oxygen concentration enclosed in the sealing step is x vol%, and the difference between the width in the direction parallel to the partition between the openings and the width in the direction perpendicular to the partition is y μm,
y ≧ 9.5x
It is characterized by being.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a first electrode formed in a plurality of lines on a support substrate, a second electrode formed in a plurality of lines so as to be orthogonal to the first electrode, An organic light emitting layer formed between the first electrode and the second electrode; an insulating film formed to cover the first electrode and having a plurality of openings exposing a part of the first electrode; A light-emitting section formed in a plurality of lines so as to be orthogonal to the first electrode and separating the second electrode into a plurality of portions, and a laminated portion of the first electrode, the organic light-emitting layer, and the second electrode A sealing member disposed on the support substrate so as to hermetically cover the substrate, wherein the insulating film has a width in a direction perpendicular to the partition between the openings. Is formed to be smaller than the width in the direction parallel to the partition wall. And butterflies.

In addition, the method includes a sealing step of disposing the sealing member on the support substrate, and the insulating film includes the sealing film according to an oxygen concentration sealed in a sealing space that houses the light emitting unit in the sealing step. Set a difference between the width in the parallel direction to the partition between the openings and the width in the vertical direction from the partition ,
When the oxygen concentration enclosed in the sealing step is x vol%, and the difference between the width in the direction parallel to the partition between the openings and the width in the direction perpendicular to the partition is y μm,
y ≧ 9.5x
Characterized by a.

  The present invention relates to a dot matrix type organic EL panel and a method for manufacturing the same, and can suppress deterioration in appearance in an initial state.

The front view which shows the organic electroluminescent panel which is embodiment of this invention. Sectional drawing which shows an organic electroluminescent panel same as the above. The figure which shows the manufacturing process of an organic electroluminescent panel same as the above. The enlarged view which shows an organic electroluminescent panel same as the above. The figure which shows the relationship between the enclosure oxygen concentration in an organic electroluminescent panel, and the amount of dark frames. The figure which shows the relationship between the filling oxygen concentration in embodiment of this invention, and the difference of the optimal insulating film width.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 and 2 show an organic EL panel according to an embodiment of the present invention. The organic EL panel has a transparent electrode (first electrode) 2, an insulating film 3, a partition wall 4, an organic layer 5, and a back electrode (second electrode) 6 formed on the support substrate 1, and sealed on the support substrate 1. A stop member 7 is provided. In FIG. 1, the sealing member 7 is omitted.

  The support substrate 1 is a rectangular substrate made of, for example, a light transmissive glass substrate.

  The transparent electrode 2 is made of a light-transmitting conductive material such as ITO (Indium Tin Oxide), for example, and is formed into a desired shape by means such as photoetching after being formed in layers by means such as sputtering. . In the present embodiment, each transparent electrode 2 is formed in a plurality of lines extending in the vertical direction in FIG.

  The insulating film 3 is made of a polyimide-based insulating material, is formed by means such as photoetching, and covers the transparent electrode 2. The insulating film 3 is formed in a region wider than the organic layer 5 and has a rectangular opening 3a corresponding to the light emitting portions arranged in a matrix and partially exposing the transparent electrode 2.

  The partition 4 is made of a phenol-based insulating material and is formed by means such as a photoetching method. The partition wall 4 is formed on the insulating film 3 so that the cross-sectional shape thereof is a reverse taper shape. The partition 4 is provided in a plurality of parallel lines in a direction orthogonal to the transparent electrode 2, and divides the organic layer 5 and the back electrode 6 into a plurality of lines. Moreover, the partition 4 is formed in the area | region wider than the said light emission part.

  The organic layer 5 has at least an organic light emitting layer, and includes, for example, a hole injection transport layer, an organic light emission layer, an electron transport layer, and an electron injection layer.

  The back electrode 6 is made of, for example, a low-resistance metal conductive material such as aluminum (Al), and a plurality of back electrodes 6 are formed in a line shape extending in the direction perpendicular to the transparent electrode 2 by the partition walls 4, that is, in the lateral direction in FIG. . The portions where the transparent electrode 2 and the back electrode 6 intersect and sandwich the organic layer 5 are light emitting portions E (organic EL elements).

  The sealing member 7 is made of a metal material, and is adhered to the support substrate 1 via, for example, an ultraviolet curable adhesive 8, so that the sealing member 7 and the support substrate 1 store the light emitting portion. It constitutes a space. In addition, the sealing member 7 is processed into a concave shape by means such as press working, and is opposed to the light emitting portion and is provided with a facing portion 7a where the moisture absorbing member 9 is disposed, and surrounds the facing portion 7a with an adhesive 8 interposed therebetween. And a bonding portion 7b bonded to the support substrate 1. The sealing member 7 may be made of a glass material. Further, the sealing member 7 may have a flat plate shape. In that case, it is desirable that a spacer is mixed in the adhesive 8.

  The hygroscopic member 9 has a hygroscopic action of adsorbing moisture chemically or physically, and is disposed by being applied to the facing portion 7 a of the sealing member 7. The hygroscopic member 9 is formed in a sheet shape, and is formed by mixing an inorganic material such as activated alumina, molecular sieves, calcium oxide or barium oxide, and a resin material. Further, the hygroscopic member 9 may be an application-type hygroscopic member such as liquid, cream or paste.

  Furthermore, the manufacturing method of an organic electroluminescent panel is demonstrated using FIG. First, in the transparent electrode forming step S1, a sputtering method and photoetching are appropriately performed to form the transparent electrode 2 in a plurality of lines. Next, in an insulating film formation step S2, spin coating and photoetching are performed as appropriate to form the insulating film 3 having an opening 3a that covers the transparent electrode 2 and partially exposes the transparent electrode 2. Next, in the partition formation step S3, spin coating and photoetching are appropriately performed to form the partition 4 orthogonal to the transparent electrode 2. Next, in the organic layer forming step S4, the organic layer 5 is formed on the transparent electrode 2 by vapor deposition. Next, in the back electrode forming step S5, the back electrode 6 orthogonal to the transparent electrode 2 is formed by vapor deposition, and each light emitting portion E is obtained.

  Next, in the sealing step S6, in a nitrogen atmosphere having a predetermined oxygen concentration, the sealing member 7 in which the hygroscopic member 9 is disposed on the support substrate 1 is disposed via the adhesive 8, and UV is emitted. The light emitting unit E is sealed by irradiation. At this time, oxygen of a predetermined concentration is sealed in the sealing space that houses the light emitting portion E configured by the support substrate 1 and the sealing member 7.

  Next, in the aging treatment step S7, a reverse bias voltage (for example, 25V) higher than a drive voltage (for example, 5V) applied during normal constant current driving is applied between the electrodes 2 and 6, and at least the back electrode 6 is transparent. The defective part in contact with the electrode 2 is removed.

Parallel point as a feature in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4 (a), the insulating film forming step S2, the insulating film 3 width Y ₁ of the partition wall 4 in the vertical direction between the opening portion 3a and the partition wall 4 This is in forming (Y ₁ <X ₁ ) so as to be smaller than the width X _{1 in the} direction. As described above, when oxygen is sealed in the sealing space in the sealing step S6, as shown in FIG. 4B, the dark frame D starts from the side on the partition wall 4 side of the light emitting part E due to oxygen. Will occur. In the present embodiment, in consideration of the amount of dark frame D generated (width Y _{2 in the} vertical direction with respect to the partition 4), the width Y _{1 in the} vertical direction between the partition 3 and the opening 3 a is set to be small in advance. partition wall 4 parallel to the direction of the width between the light emitting portion E at the time, i.e. the width X ₁ between the openings 3a, the light emitting portion partition wall 4 and the vertical width between E, that is, the width Y ₁ and the partition wall between the openings 3a 4 and the sum (Y ₁ + Y ₂ × 2) of the width Y ₂ of the dark frame D of the two light emitting portions E adjacent in the vertical direction. According to such a method, in the initial state after the aging process is completed, the width between the light emitting portions E and the width in the vertical direction and the width in the direction parallel to the partition 4 can be made equal, and deterioration in appearance is suppressed. It becomes possible.

Furthermore, the present inventor has found that the amount of dark frame D generated varies depending on the oxygen concentration enclosed in the sealing step S6. Figure 5 shows the relationship between the oxygen concentration to be encapsulated in the sealing step S6 and the width Y ₂ of the partition and vertical dark frame D generated in the light emitting unit E. According to this, when the oxygen concentration sealed in the sealing step S6 is xvol%, the width Y ₂ μm in the direction perpendicular to the partition wall of the dark frame D is
Y ₂ = 4.75x
It becomes.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, the oxygen concentration sealed in the sealing step S6 is xvol%, and the difference between the width in the direction parallel to the partition 4 between the openings 3a and the width in the direction perpendicular to the partition 4 (X ₁ −Y ₁ ) is y μm,
y = 9.5x
By forming the insulating film 3 so that the dark frame partition wall 4 parallel to the direction of the width between the light emitting portion E at the time of occurrence and D, i.e. the width X ₁ between the openings 3a, partition walls 4 between the light emitting portion E the vertical width, i.e., the sum of the width Y ₂ of the dark frame D of the two light emitting portions E of the width Y ₁ and the partition 4 between the openings 3a vertically adjacent (Y 1 ₊ Y ₂ × 2) Can be matched. Considering the error in the amount of generation of the dark frame D, at least y ≧ 9.5x
If the insulating film 3 is formed so that the width between the light emitting portions E and the vertical direction of the barrier ribs 4 is set as the width between the light emitting portions E in the initial state by the occurrence of the dark frame D, It can suppress that it becomes larger than the width | variety of this and the appearance falls, and is suitable. According to such a method, in the initial state after the aging process is completed, the width between the light emitting portions E and the width in the vertical direction and the width in the direction parallel to the partition 4 can be made equal, and deterioration in appearance is suppressed. It becomes possible.

  The present invention relates to an organic EL panel in which a light emitting part having at least an organic light emitting layer sandwiched between a first electrode and a second electrode is formed on a support substrate, and particularly an organic EL panel having light emitting parts arranged in a matrix. Suitable for EL panel.

1 Support substrate 2 Transparent electrode (first electrode)
3 Insulating film 3a Opening 4 Partition 5 Organic layer 6 Back electrode (second electrode)
7 Sealing member 8 Adhesive 9 Hygroscopic member E Light emitting part D Dark frame

Claims (4)

A first electrode formed in a plurality of lines on a support substrate, a second electrode formed in a plurality of lines so as to be orthogonal to the first electrode, and the first electrode and the second electrode An organic light emitting layer formed therebetween, an insulating film formed so as to cover the first electrode and having a plurality of openings exposing a part of the first electrode, and a plurality of layers so as to be orthogonal to the first electrode A partition wall formed in a line shape and separating the second electrode into a plurality of parts, and a light emitting part comprising the laminated portion of the first electrode, the organic light emitting layer, and the second electrode are hermetically covered on the support substrate. An organic EL panel comprising a sealing member disposed in
The organic EL panel, wherein the insulating film is formed such that a width in a direction perpendicular to the partition between the openings is smaller than a width in a direction parallel to the partition. The insulating film includes the partition between the openings according to an oxygen concentration sealed in a sealing space that houses the light emitting part in a sealing step of disposing the sealing member on the support substrate. The difference between the width in the parallel direction and the width in the vertical direction of the partition wall is set ,
When the oxygen concentration enclosed in the sealing step is x vol%, and the difference between the width in the direction parallel to the partition between the openings and the width in the direction perpendicular to the partition is y μm,
y ≧ 9.5x
The organic EL panel according to claim 1, characterized in that. A first electrode formed in a plurality of lines on a support substrate, a second electrode formed in a plurality of lines so as to be orthogonal to the first electrode, and the first electrode and the second electrode An organic light emitting layer formed therebetween, an insulating film formed so as to cover the first electrode and having a plurality of openings exposing a part of the first electrode, and a plurality of layers so as to be orthogonal to the first electrode A partition wall formed in a line shape and separating the second electrode into a plurality of parts, and a light emitting part comprising the laminated portion of the first electrode, the organic light emitting layer, and the second electrode are hermetically covered on the support substrate. A method for producing an organic EL panel comprising:
The method of manufacturing an organic EL panel, wherein the insulating film is formed so that a width in a direction perpendicular to the partition between the openings is smaller than a width in a direction parallel to the partition. Including a sealing step of disposing the sealing member on the support substrate, and the opening of the insulating film according to an oxygen concentration sealed in a sealing space for housing the light emitting portion in the sealing step Set the difference between the width in the direction parallel to the partition and the width in the direction perpendicular to the partition ,
When the oxygen concentration enclosed in the sealing step is x vol%, and the difference between the width in the direction parallel to the partition between the openings and the width in the direction perpendicular to the partition is y μm,
y ≧ 9.5x
Method of manufacturing an organic EL panel according to claim 3, characterized in that a.

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