Polymer Composite Barrier System for Encapsulating LEDs

75368-Organic light emitting devices (OLEDs) may find widespread application as replacements for fluorescent lighting, small displays, and general indoor/outdoor illumination. However, advanced packaging materials are needed to improve their lifetime and durability. This project will develop a transparent, high-barrier polymer composite system for encapsulating OLEDs. The composite materials, comprised of a high barrier polymer and highly dispersed nanoscale additives, will extend the operational lifetime of OLEDs to over 10,000 hours. Dramatic improvements in the moisture and oxygen barrier properties of transparent polymers will be achieved by tailoring the processing and microstructure of the nanocomposite systems. Phase I will produce polymer nanocomposites comprised of a high barrier polymer and a range of selected additives that can be oriented to reduce gas and vapor permeation. In addition, solution-based processing will be utilized to improve additive dispersion and the ability to orient the additive. The materials will be screened for optical clarity and moisture/oxygen transmission rates. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: The polymer-based encapsulants for low cost OLEDs should speed their application as replacements for fluorescent lighting, small displays, decorative lighting, glowing wallpaper, and general indoor/outdoor illumination, resulting in billions of dollars in saved energy costs. The low cost, transparent plastics, with significantly increased moisture and oxygen barrier properties, also should find use as a lightweight replacement for glass in structural applications, as well as in lenses, coatings for electronic packaging, and flexible packaging films for food and non-food applications, replacing existing metallized and laminate films.