Color filter and display apparatus including the same

A color filter includes a substrate including pixel areas and a light-shielding area which is disposed between adjacent pixels areas; and a color conversion layer which color-converts incident light of an incident color and emits color-converted light toward the substrate, the color conversion layer including a first color conversion pattern in a first pixel area among the pixel areas and with which the incident light of the incident color is converted into light of a first color; and a second color conversion pattern in a second pixel area among the pixel areas and with which the incident light of the incident color is converted into light of a second color; and a partition wall in the light-shielding area and between the first color conversion pattern and the second color conversion pattern, the partition wall including a light-scattering material which scatters light incident thereto.

This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2018-0110456, filed on Sep. 14, 2018, and all the benefits accruing therefrom under 35 U.S.C. § 119, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

BACKGROUND

One or more embodiments relate to a color filter and a display apparatus including the same.

2. Description of the Related Art

A liquid crystal display (“LCD”) apparatus uses a color filter to form a color image. The LCD apparatus has low light efficiency since the amount of white light emitted from a backlight source is reduced to about ⅓ after the white light passes through red, green, and blue color filters.

SUMMARY

One or more embodiments include a display apparatus having improved color reproducibility and improved light efficiency.

According to one or more embodiments, a color filter includes: a substrate from which light is emitted from the color filter, the substrate including a plurality of pixel areas and a light-shielding area which is disposed between adjacent pixels areas among the plurality of pixel areas; a color conversion layer which color-converts incident light of an incident color and emits color-converted light toward the substrate, the color conversion layer including: a first color conversion pattern in a first pixel area among the plurality of pixel areas and with which the incident light of the incident color is converted into light of a first color; and a second color conversion pattern in a second pixel area among the plurality of pixel areas and with which the incident light of the incident color is converted into light of a second color; and a partition wall in the light-shielding area and between the first color conversion pattern and the second color conversion pattern, the partition wall including a light-scattering material which scatters light incident thereto.

The first color conversion pattern may include first quantum dots which are excited by the incident light and emit the light of the first color, and the second color conversion pattern may include second quantum dots which are excited by the incident light and emit the light of the second color.

The color filter may further include: a light-shielding layer between the substrate and the partition wall; a first color filter pattern which is between the substrate and the first color conversion pattern and selectively transmits the light of the first color emitted from the first color conversion pattern; and a second color filter pattern which is between the substrate and the second color conversion pattern and selectively transmits the light of the second color emitted from the second color conversion pattern.

The color filter may further include a transmission layer which is in a third pixel area spaced apart from the first pixel area and the second pixel area from among the plurality of pixel areas and transmits the incident light.

The partition wall may be between the transmission layer and the first color conversion pattern and between the transmission layer and the second color conversion pattern.

The color filter may further include: a light-shielding layer between the substrate and the partition wall; a first color filter pattern which is between the substrate and the first color conversion pattern and selectively transmits the light of the first color emitted from the first color conversion pattern; a second color filter pattern which is between the substrate and the second color conversion pattern and selectively transmits the light of the second color emitted from the second color conversion pattern; and a third color filter layer which is between the substrate and the transmission layer and selectively transmits the incident light emitted from the transmission layer.

The incident light may be light of a third color having a wavelength shorter than a wavelength of each of the light of the first color and the light of the second color.

The incident light may be blue light, and the first color and the second color may be respectively red and green.

A thickness of the partition wall may be equal to or greater than a thickness of each of the first and second color conversion patterns.

According to one or more embodiments, a display apparatus includes: a display panel at which incident light of an incident color is emitted from the display panel; and a color filter in which the incident light of the incident color emitted from the display panel is color-converted and from which color-converted light is emitted, the color filter including: a first substrate from which the color-converted light is emitted from the color filter, the first substrate including a plurality of pixel areas respectively corresponding to the plurality of pixels of the display panel and a light-shielding area which is disposed between adjacent pixel areas; a color conversion layer which color-converts the incident light of the incident color and emits the color-converted light, the color conversion layer including: a first color conversion pattern in a first pixel area among the plurality of pixel areas and with which the incident light of the incident color is converted into light of a first color; and a second color conversion pattern in a second pixel area of the plurality of pixel areas and with which the incident light of the incident color is converted into light of a second color; and a first partition wall in the light-shielding area and between the first color conversion pattern and the second color conversion pattern, the first partition wall including a light-scattering material which scatters light incident thereto.

A thickness of the first partition wall may be equal to or greater than a thickness of each of the first and second color conversion patterns.

The display panel may include: a second substrate on which the plurality of pixels are arranged; and a thin-film encapsulation layer on the second substrate.

The display apparatus may further include a planarizing layer between the thin-film encapsulation layer and the color filter.

A thickness of the first partition wall may be equal to or less than a sum of a thickness of each of the first and second color conversion patterns, and a thickness of the planarizing layer, respectively.

The display apparatus may further include a second partition wall on the thin-film encapsulation layer to correspond to the light-shielding area.

The first partition wall and the second partition wall may contact each other.

According to one or more embodiments, a display apparatus includes: a display panel including a plurality of pixels at which incident light of an incident color is emitted from the display panel; a first substrate on which the plurality of pixels are arranged; and a thin-film encapsulation layer on the first substrate; and a color filter in which the incident light of the incident color emitted from the display panel is color-converted and from which color-converted light is emitted, the color filter including: a second substrate from which the color-converted light is emitted from the color filter, the second substrate including: a plurality of pixel areas respectively corresponding to the plurality of pixels of the display panel, and a light-shielding area which is disposed between adjacent pixel areas respectively corresponding to adjacent pixels of the display panel; and a color conversion layer including a plurality of color conversion patterns respectively in the plurality of pixel areas; and a light blocking member corresponding to the light shielding area of the color filter, a portion of the light blocking member disposed closer to the display panel than the color conversion layer of the color filter.

The light blocking member corresponding to the light shielding area of the color filter is disposed within the color filter as a first partition wall between adjacent color conversion patterns and including a light-scattering material, and the first partition wall protrudes further than each of the adjacent color conversion patterns to dispose a portion of the first partition wall closer to the display panel than the adjacent color conversion patterns.

The light blocking member corresponding to the light shielding area of the color filter is disposed outside of the color filter as a second partition wall protruding from the thin-film encapsulation layer and toward the color filter, and the second partition wall is disposed closer to the display panel than the plurality of color conversion patterns.

The light blocking member corresponding to the light shielding area of the color filter includes: a first partition wall within the color filter, the first partition wall disposed between adjacent color conversion patterns and including a light-scattering material, and a second partition wall outside the color filter, the second partition wall protruding from the thin-film encapsulation layer and toward the color filter, and the first partition wall and the second partition wall contact each other in the light-shielding area.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure may include various embodiments and modifications, and embodiments thereof will be illustrated in the drawings and will be described herein in detail. The advantages and features of the present disclosure and methods of achieving the advantages and features will be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments are shown. The present disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Parts in the drawings unrelated to the detailed description are omitted to ensure clarity of the present disclosure. In the drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and a repeated explanation thereof will not be given.

It will be understood that when a layer, region, or element is referred to as being related to another element such as being “on” another layer, region, or element, it may be directly on the other layer, region, or element, or intervening layers, regions, or elements may be present. In contrast, when a layer, region, or element is referred to as being related to another element such as being “directly on” another layer, region, or element, no intervening layers, regions, or elements are present.

Sizes of elements may be exaggerated for convenience of explanation. In other words, since sizes and thicknesses of elements in the drawings are arbitrarily illustrated for convenience of explanation, the following embodiments are not limited thereto.

It will be understood that when a layer, region, or element is referred to as being related to another element such as being “connected” the layer, region, or element may be directly connected or may be indirectly connected with intervening layers, regions, or elements therebetween. For example, when a layer, region, or element is electrically connected, the layer, region, or element may be directly electrically connected or may be indirectly electrically connected with intervening layers, regions, or elements therebetween.

As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an, and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Throughout the specification, when a portion “includes” or “comprises” an element, another element may be further included, rather than excluding the existence of the other element, unless otherwise described.

Since a liquid crystal display (“LCD”) apparatus in which a color filter is used has relatively low light efficiency and color reproducibility, a photo-luminescent LCD (“PL-LCD”) apparatus is proposed which uses a quantum dot color conversion layer (“QD-CCL”). The PL-LCD apparatus displays a color image by using visible light in a relatively low wavelength band such as ultraviolet (UV) light or blue light which are generated by a light source and controlled by a liquid crystal layer, to be emitted to a CCL.

FIG. 1is a top plan view of an embodiment of a color filter100according to the invention.FIGS. 2 and 3are enlarged cross-sectional views of respective embodiments of the color filter100taken along line II-II′ ofFIG. 1.

The color filter100may include a substrate110, a first partition wall140, a first color conversion layer150, and a second color conversion layer160. The substrate110may comprise pixel areas and a light-shielding area between adjacent pixel areas. The first partition wall140may be in the light-shielding area and may comprise a material that scatters and/or reflects a light. The first color conversion layer150and the second color conversion layer160may be in the pixel areas.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, the color filter100may include a substrate110, a light-shielding layer120, a color filter layer130, a first partition wall140, a first color conversion layer150, and a second color conversion layer160.

The color filter100and components thereof may be disposed or arranged in a plane defined by first and second directions which cross each other. InFIG. 1, for example, the horizontal direction may be one of the first and second directions while the vertical direction is the other one of the first and second directions. A thickness of the color filter100and components thereof may extend along a third direction which crosses each of the first and second directions. InFIG. 1, for example, a thickness of the color filter100extends into the page view. ForFIGS. 2 and 3, a vertical direction represents a thickness of the color filter100and layers thereof while a horizontal direction represents one of the first and second directions. A direction into the page view ofFIGS. 2 and 3represents the other one of the first and second directions.

The substrate110may include or define a first pixel area PA1and a second pixel area PA2that are spaced apart from each other, and a light-shielding area BA located between the first and second pixel areas PA1and PA2. The first color conversion layer150is located in (e.g., corresponds to) the first pixel area PA1and converts incident light Lib into light Lr of a first color. The second color conversion layer160may be located in (e.g., corresponds to) the second pixel area PA2and may convert the incident light Lib into light Lg of a second color.

The color filter100may further include a transmission layer170. The substrate110may further include a third pixel area PA3spaced apart from the first and second pixel areas PA1and PA2. The transmission layer170may be located in (e.g., corresponds to) the third pixel area PA3and may transmit the incident light Lib as light Lb of a third color.

The color filter100may receive the incident light Lib and may emit the light Lr of the first color, the light Lg of the second color, and the light Lb of the third color. The incident light Lib may be incident to the color filter100through the first color conversion layer150, the second color conversion layer160and the transmission layer170. That is, these various layers form a light incident surface of the color filter100.

Referring toFIG. 1, a pixel area PA and the light-shielding area BA are defined in the color filter100. The pixel area PA at which light is emitted is surrounded by the light-shielding area BA. The pixel area PA may be divided into the first pixel area PA1, the second pixel area PA2, and a third pixel area PA3according to a color of emitted light. In an embodiment, for example, the first pixel area PA1is an area where the light Lr of the first color is emitted, the second pixel area PA2is an area where the light Lg of the second color is emitted, and the third pixel area PA3is an area where the light Lb of the third color is emitted. An arrangement of the first through third pixel areas PA1, PA2, and PA3ofFIG. 1is an example, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The first through third pixel areas PA1, PA2, and PA3may be arranged in any of various forms to correspond to an arrangement of pixels of a display apparatus in which the color filter100is disposed.

The light Lr of the first color may be red light, the light Lg of the second color may be green light, and the light Lb of the third color may be blue light. The red light is light having a peak wavelength equal to or greater than about 580 nanometers (nm) and less than about 750 nm. The green light is light having a peak wavelength equal to or greater than about 495 nm and less than about 580 nm. The blue light is light equal to or greater than about 400 nm and less than about 495 nm. The incident light Lib may be light of the third color.

The light-shielding area BA, where light is not emitted, may be arranged in a mesh pattern among the first through third pixel areas PA1, PA2, and PA3.

The substrate110is a transparent substrate through which the light Lr of the first color and the light Lg of the second color respectively emitted from the first and second color conversion layers150and160may be emitted through the first and second pixel areas PA1and PA2. The light Lb of the third color may be emitted through the third pixel area PA3of the substrate110. That is, the substrate110forms a light-emitting surface of the color filter100.

The substrate110may be any of typically used substrates, but may include or be formed of, for example, an insulating material such as glass, plastic, or crystal. The substrate110may include be formed of an organic polymer material such as polycarbonate (“PC”), polyethylene terephthalate (“PET”), polyethylene (“PE”), polypropylene (“PP”), polysulfone (“PSF”), polymethylmethacrylate (“PMMA”), triacetyl cellulose (“TAC”), cyclic olefin polymer (“COP”), or cyclic olefin copolymer (“COC”). A material of the substrate110may be selected considering mechanical strength, thermal stability, transparency, surface smoothness, ease of handling, and water resistance of the color filter100and the substrate110therefor.

The light-shielding layer120may be located in the light-shielding area BA. The light-shielding layer120may be formed as a relatively thin film in the light-shielding area BA. When light is emitted through the light-shielding area BA, light leakage may occur in the display apparatus. In one or more embodiment, the light-shielding layer120may reduce or effectively prevent light from leaking outward through the light-shielding area BA.

The light-shielding layer120may have of any of various colors including black or white. When the light-shielding layer120is black, the light-shielding layer120may include a black matrix. When the light-shielding layer120is white, the light-shielding layer120may include an organic insulating material such as white resin. The light-shielding layer120may include an opaque inorganic insulating material such as CrOx or MoOx or an opaque organic insulating material such as black resin.

The color filter layer130may be an organic material pattern including a dye or a pigment. The color filter layer130may include a first color filter layer (or pattern)130a, a second color filter layer (or pattern)130b, and a third color filter layer (or pattern)130c. The first color filter layer130amay be located in at least the first pixel area PA1, the second color filter layer130bmay be located in at least the second pixel area PA2, and the third color filter layer130cmay be located in at least the third pixel area PA3. The first color filter layer130amay selectively transmit only light of the first color, the second color filter layer130bmay selectively transmit only light of the second color, and the third color filter layer130cmay selectively transmit only light of the third color. As such, these color filter layers may selectively block light except for the selectively transmitted color light.

The first partition wall140may be located in the light-shielding area BA and may be extended along the first color conversion layer150, the second color conversion layer160, and the transmission layer170. The first partition wall140may include portions lengthwise extending along the first and/or second directions among the various conversion and transmission layers. The first partition wall140may overlap the light-shielding layer120.

A height (thickness) T1of the first partition wall140, that is, a distance between a top surface of the color filter layer130and a top surface of the first partition wall140, may be equal to or greater than a height (thickness) T1′ of each of the first color conversion layer150, the second color conversion layer160, and the transmission layer170. The thicknesses T1and T1′ may be a maximum dimension of the various wall and component, taken from a common reference surface, such as the top surface of the color filter layer130. The first partition wall140may contact side surfaces of the first color conversion layer150, the second color conversion layer160, and the transmission layer170which are respectively adjacent to the first partition wall140so as to form an interface therebetween. The first partition wall140may absorb light at the interface respectively formed by contact thereof with the first color conversion layer150, the second color conversion layer160, and the transmission layer170. For components, layers or elements shown in the drawings or described within this disclosure as contacting each other, an interface may be formed therebetween.

The first partition wall140may include a material that scatters and/or reflects the light Lr, Lg, and Lb of the first through third colors. The first partition wall140may scatter and/or reflect light incident from the first and second color conversion layers140and150and the transmission layer170. Accordingly, the first partition wall140that scatters and/or reflects the light Lr, Lg, and Lb may reduce light loss caused by light absorption, as compared to a partition wall including a light-absorbing material.

The first partition wall140may reduce or effectively prevent each of the light Lr of the first color emitted from the first color conversion layer150from being emitted to the second color conversion layer160or the transmission layer170, the light Lg of the second color emitted from the second color conversion layer160from being emitted to the first color conversion layer150or the transmission layer170, and the light Lb of the third color emitted from the transmission layer170from being emitted to the first color conversion layer150or the second color conversion layer160.

In an embodiment, for example, more than half (e.g., most) of the light Lr of the first color emitted from the first color conversion layer150and scattered and/or reflected by the first partition wall140may be incident back to the first color conversion layer150. Even when a portion of the light Lr of the first color reflected by the first partition wall140is incident on the second color conversion layer160and/or the transmission layer170, if more than half of the light Lr of the first color scattered and/or reflected by the first partition wall140is incident back in the first color conversion layer150, this is considered to be included in the scope of the present embodiment. Similarly, most, for example, more than half, of the light Lg of the second color emitted from the second color conversion layer160and scattered and/or reflected by the first partition wall140may be incident back on the second color conversion layer160. Likewise, even when a portion of the light Lg of the second color reflected by the first partition wall140is incident on the first color conversion layer150and/or the transmission layer170, if more than half of the light Lg of the second color scattered and/or reflected by the first partition wall140is incident back on the second color conversion layer160, this is considered to be included in the scope of the present embodiment.

In an embodiment of manufacturing a color filter, each of the first color conversion layer150, the second color conversion layer160, and the transmission layer170may be formed by using an inkjet method in a concave space defined by the first partition wall140.

The first color conversion layer150is located in the first pixel area PA1to overlap the first color filter layer130a, converts the incident light Lib into the light Lr of the first color and emits the converted light Lr of the first color toward the substrate110. The first color conversion layer150may include a material such as first quantum dots that are excited by the incident light Lib and emit the converted light Lr of the first color having a wavelength longer than a wavelength of the incident light Lib.

The second color conversion layer160is located in the second pixel area PA2to overlap the second color filter layer130b, converts the incident light Lib into the light Lg of the second color and emits the converted Lg of the second color toward the substrate110. The second color conversion layer160may include a material such as second quantum dots that are excited by the incident light Lib and emit light the converted light Lg of the second color having a wavelength longer than the wavelength of the incident light Lib.

The transmission layer170is located in the third pixel area PA3to overlap the third color filter layer130c, transmits the light Lb of the third color and emits the light Lb of the third color toward the substrate110. The transmission layer170may not color-convert the incident light Lib such that the emitted light Lb is essentially the incident light Lib.

In an embodiment, as shown inFIG. 3, the color filter100may further include a planarization layer190that is commonly located on the first and second color conversion layers150and160and the transmission layer170and has a flat top surface. The planarization layer190may be located on the substrate110to cover the first and second color conversion layers150and160and the transmission layer170. That is, the planarization layer190forms a light incident surface of the color filter100. The planarization layer190may be transparent so that the incident light Lib is transmitted therethrough without color conversion and subsequently emitted to be incident to the first and second color conversion layers150and160and the transmission layer170.

The planarization layer190may include or be formed of a transparent organic material such as polyimide resin, acrylic resin, or a resist material. In an embodiment of manufacturing a color filter, the planarization layer190may be formed by using a wet process such as slit coating or spin coating or a dry process such as chemical vapor deposition or vacuum deposition. The present embodiment is not limited to the above materials and the above forming methods. It would be understood that the planarization layer190may be omitted as shown inFIG. 2.

FIG. 4is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment of the first and second color conversion layers150and160and the transmission layer170of the color filter100according to the invention.

Referring toFIG. 4, the first color conversion layer150converts the incident light Lib, which is blue incident light, into the light Lr of the first color. The first color conversion layer150may include a first photosensitive polymer (base)151in which a first quantum dot152provided in plurality and a first scattering particle153provided in plurality are dispersed.

The first quantum dots152may be excited by the incident light Lib and may isotropically emit the light Lr of the first color having a wavelength longer than a wavelength of blue light. The first photosensitive polymer151may be an organic material having light-transmitting properties. The first scattering particles153may excite more first quantum dots152by scattering the incident light Lib that is not absorbed by the first quantum dots152, thereby increasing a color conversion rate of the first color conversion layer150. The first scattering particles153may include, for example, a material such as titanium oxide (TiO2) or metal particles. The first quantum dots152may include a group II-VI compound, a group III-V compound, a group IV-VI compound, a group IV compound, or a combination thereof.

The second color conversion layer160converts the incident light Lib into the light Lg of the second color. The second color conversion layer160may include a second photosensitive polymer (base)161in which a second quantum dot162provided in plurality and a second scattering particle163provided in plurality are dispersed.

The second quantum dots162may be excited by the incident light Lib and may isotropically emit the light Lg of the second color having a wavelength longer than a wavelength of blue light. The second photosensitive polymer161that is an organic material having light-transmitting properties may be the same material as the first photosensitive polymer151. The second scattering particles163excite more second quantum dots162by scattering the incident light Lib that is not absorbed by the second quantum dots162, thereby increasing a color conversion rate of the second color conversion layer160. The second scattering particles163may include, for example, titanium oxide (TiO2) or metal particles, and may be the same material as the first scattering particles153. The second quantum dots162may include a group II-VI compound, a group III-V compound, a group IV-VI compound, a group IV compound, or a combination thereof. The second quantum dots162may be the same material as the first quantum dots152, and in this case, sizes of the second quantum dots162may be less than sizes of the first quantum dots152.

The transmission layer170may transmit the incident light Lib without color conversion thereof and may emit the incident light Lib toward the substrate110. The transmission layer170may include a third photosensitive polymer (base)171in which third scattering particles173are dispersed. The third photosensitive polymer171may be an organic material having light-transmitting properties such as silicon resin or epoxy resin, and may be the same as the first and second photosensitive polymers151and161. The third scattering particles173may scatter and emit the incident light Lib, and may be the same as the first and second scattering particles153and163.

FIGS. 5A through 5Dare cross-sectional views for describing an embodiment of a process of manufacturing the color filter100according to the invention.

Referring toFIG. 5A, the light-shielding layer120may be formed in the light-shielding area BA on the substrate110. The light-shielding layer120may be formed by spraying organic ink, or may be formed by patterning a metal layer through a photolithographic process. Accordingly, an opening OP may be formed in the light-shielding layer120. The opening OP exposes a top surface of the substrate110. The light-shielding layer120may define a plurality of the opening OP along the top surface of the substrate110.

Referring toFIG. 5B, the color filter layer130may be formed on the substrate110having the light-shielding layer120thereon. Portions or patterns of the color filter layer130may be formed in a respective opening OP of the light-shielding layer120.

The overall color filter layer130may be formed by repeatedly performing a process of coating a color photoresist material on the substrate110and performing selective patterning. In an embodiment, for example, the first color filter layer130amay be formed by coating and etching a first color photoresist material, the second color filter layer130bmay be formed by coating and etching a second color photoresist material, and the third color filter layer130cmay be formed by coating and etching a third color photoresist material. An order of forming the first through third color filter layers130athrough130cis not limited thereto.

Each color photoresist material may include a photopolymerizable photosensitive material such as a photopolymerization initiator, a monomer or a binder, and an organic pigment for expressing color. The first color filter layer130a, the second color filter layer130b, and the third color filter layer130cmay be formed as, for example, a stripe type or a mosaic type in the top plan view, according to an arrangement method. The color filter layer130may extend from the opening OP to be disposed on a top surface of a respective portion of the light-shielding layer120. Top surfaces of the patterns within the color filter layer130may be coplanar with each other without being limited thereto.

Although the overall color filter layer130has a minimum height (thickness) that is greater than a maximum height (thickness) of the light-shielding layer120inFIG. 5B, the present embodiment is not limited thereto, and, for example, the color filter layer130may be formed to have a height (thickness) that is equal to or less than a height (thickness) of the light-shielding layer120. The heights and thicknesses may be referenced from a common surface, such as the top surface of the substrate110and a virtual extension of the top surface thereof.

Referring toFIG. 5C, the first partition wall140may be formed in the light-shielding area BA on the substrate110having the color filter layer130thereon. The first partition wall140may be formed by coating a first partition wall-forming material on the substrate110and performing patterning of the first partition wall-forming material. The first partition wall140may be formed of a material for scattering and/or reflecting the light Lr of the first color, the light Lg of the second color, and the light Lb of the third color. The first partition wall140may have a single or multi-layer structure. A height (thickness) of the first partition wall140and the density of a scattering material and/or a reflective material may vary according to an applied electronic apparatus in which the color filter100is disposed.

The first partition wall140defines spaces between portions thereof. An upper surface of the color filter layer130is exposed at the spaces.

Referring toFIG. 5D, the first color conversion layer150, the second color conversion layer160, and the transmission layer170may be formed in respective spaces defined by the first partition wall140. The layers150,160and170may collectively be referred to as a color-conversion layer.

In an embodiment, the first color conversion layer150may be formed in the first pixel area PA1by coating a first quantum dot-photoresist material on the substrate110and performing patterning of the first quantum dot-photoresist material. The second color conversion layer160may be formed in the second pixel area PA2by coating a second quantum dot-photoresist material on the substrate110and performing patterning of the second quantum dot-photoresist material. The transmission layer170may be formed in the third pixel area PA3by coating a third photoresist material on the substrate110and performing patterning of the third photoresist material. An order of forming the first and second color conversion layers150and160and the transmission layer170is not limited thereto.

In another embodiment, the first color conversion layer150, the second color conversion layer160, and the transmission layer170may be formed by using inkjet coating where a material (e.g., ink) is deposited on the substrate110at a respective space in the first partition wall140. A height of the first partition wall140may be designed so that when the first color conversion layer150, the second color conversion layer160, and the transmission layer170are formed by using inkjet coating, a material for forming each of the first color conversion layer150, the second color conversion layer160, and the transmission layer170does not flow to an adjacent pixel area. Since the first color conversion layer150, the second color conversion layer160, and the transmission layer170are formed by using inkjet coating, a photo process may not be added, manufacturing costs may be reduced, and a process may be simplified.

FIG. 6is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure of an embodiment of a display apparatus10according to the invention.

Referring toFIG. 6, the display apparatus10may include a display panel400and the color filter100. A filling layer500may be further provided between the display panel400and the color filter100. The filling layer500may be an air layer or an insulating layer including a transparent material. The filling layer500may planarize a surface of the color filter100which faces the display panel400.

The display panel400may include first through third pixels PX1, PX2, and PX3. The first pixel PX1may include a (first) light-emitting device430and a first pixel circuit420afor controlling the (first) light-emitting device430, the second pixel PX2may include a (second) light-emitting device430and a second pixel circuit420bfor controlling the (second) light-emitting device430, and the third pixel PX3may include a (third) light-emitting device430and a third pixel circuit420cfor controlling the (third) light-emitting device430.

Each light-emitting device430may be an organic light-emitting device (“OLED”). The light-emitting device430may emit the light Lb of the third color, for example, blue light Lb, of which an amount thereof is controlled by each of the first through third pixel circuits420a,420b, and420c. The light-emitting devices430may be located to correspond to the pixel areas PA of the color filter100. The first through third pixel circuits420a,420b, and420cmay be located in a pixel circuit layer420located under the light-emitting devices430, and may at least partially overlap or may not overlap the light-emitting devices430.

The color filter100may emit outward the light Lr of the first color and the light Lg of the second color after converting colors of a portion of the light Lb of the third color emitted from the light-emitting devices430, and may emit outward a portion of the light Lb of the third color without color conversion.

A substrate410may include or be formed of a material such as glass, a metal, or an organic material.

The first through third pixel circuits420a,420b, and420cof the first through third pixels PX1, PX2, and PX3, respectively, may be located on the substrate410. Each of the first through third pixel circuits420a,420b, and420cmay include a plurality of thin-film transistors (“TFTs”) and at least one capacitor. Conductive signal lines and conductive power lines for transmitting signals and a driving voltage, respectively, applied to the first through third pixels PX1, PX2, and PX3in addition to the first through third pixel circuits420a,420b, and420cmay be located in the pixel circuit layer420.

The light-emitting device430of the first pixel PX1may be located to correspond to the first pixel area PA1of the color filter100. The light-emitting device430of the second pixel PX2may be located to correspond to the second pixel area PA2of the color filter100. The light-emitting device430of the third pixel PX3may be located to correspond to the third pixel area PA3of the color filter100.

Each of the TFTs as a switching element may include a semiconductor layer, a gate electrode, a source electrode and a drain electrode. The semiconductor layer may include amorphous silicon or polycrystalline silicon. The semiconductor layer may include an oxide semiconductor. The semiconductor layer may include a source region, a drain region, and a channel region between the source region and the drain region.

The light-emitting devices430may be provided on the pixel circuit layer420. Each of the light-emitting devices430may include a pixel electrode431, an intermediate layer433, and a counter electrode435.

The pixel electrode431may be connected to the source electrode or the drain electrode of the TFT. The pixel electrode431may be exposed through an opening of a pixel-defining film437, and an edge of the pixel electrode431may be covered by the pixel-defining film437.

The intermediate layer433may be located on a portion of the pixel electrode431exposed at an opening defined in the pixel-defining film437. The intermediate layer433may include an organic emission layer, and the organic emission layer may include or be formed of a relatively low-molecular-weight organic material or a relatively high-molecular-weight organic material. The intermediate layer433may further selectively include functional layers such as a hole transport layer (“HTL”), a hole injection layer (“HIL”), an electron transport layer (“ETL”), and an electron injection layer (“EIL”) in addition to the organic emission layer.

The counter electrode435may be located to commonly cover the intermediate layer433and the pixel-defining film437. The counter electrode435may include a transparent or semi-transparent electrode. In an embodiment, for example, the counter electrode435may include or be formed of a metal thin film having a relatively small work function. The counter electrode435may include a transparent conductive material layer including or formed of transparent conductive oxide (“TCO”).

A thin-film encapsulation layer440may be located on the light-emitting devices430. The thin-film encapsulation layer440may cover the counter electrode435and may be located completely over an entirety of the substrate410. The thin-film encapsulation layer440may include an inorganic material encapsulation layer formed of at least one inorganic material and an organic material encapsulation layer including at least one organic material. In an embodiment, the thin-film encapsulation layer440may have a structure in which a first inorganic material encapsulation layer, an organic material encapsulation layer, and a second inorganic encapsulation layer are stacked.

The color filter100may include the substrate110, the light-shielding layer120, and the first partition wall140for partitioning the first through third pixel areas PA1, PA2, and PA3for different colors, and the first through third color filter layers130a,130b, and130cfor selectively transmitting different colors.

The first color conversion layer150for converting the blue light Lb into the red light Lr may be located in the first pixel area PA1, the second color conversion layer160for converting the blue light Lb into the green light Lg may be located in the second pixel area PA2, and the transmission layer170for transmitting the blue light Lb may be located in the third pixel area PA3.

The light Lb of the third color emitted from the light-emitting device430controlled by the first pixel circuit420aof the first pixel PX1is converted into the light Lr of the first color by the first color conversion layer150and is emitted outward from the display apparatus10through the substrate110. The light Lb of the third color emitted from the light-emitting device430controlled by the second pixel circuit420bof the second pixel PX2is converted into the light Lg of the second color by the second color conversion layer160and is emitted outward from the display apparatus10through the substrate110. The light Lb of the third color emitted from the light-emitting device430controlled by the third pixel circuit420cof the third pixel PX3is emitted outward from the display apparatus10through the substrate110without color conversion by the transmission layer170.

The blue light Lb emitted from the display panel400is incident on the color filter100and is converted into the red light Lr, the green light Lg, and the blue light Lb, to display a color image.

Since color mixing is reduced or effectively prevented by blocking light introduced between adjacent transmission layers and adjacent color conversion layers due to the first partition wall140, color matching and color reproducibility may be improved, light efficiency may be improved, and thus power consumption may be reduced.

FIG. 7is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure of another embodiment of a display apparatus20according to the invention.

Referring toFIG. 7, the display apparatus20may include the display panel400and a color filter100a. The display apparatus20ofFIG. 7is different from the display apparatus10ofFIG. 6in that a first partition wall140aextends to a top surface of the thin-film encapsulation layer440and through the filling layer500to space apart portions thereof. The same element as that described with reference toFIG. 6will not be described.

A total height (thickness) T2of the first partition wall140amay be greater or less than a sum of a height (thickness) T21of each of the first color conversion layer150, the second color conversion layer160, and the transmission layer170and a thickness T22of the filling layer500. In an embodiment, the total height (thickness) T2of the first partition wall140amay be equal to or less than a sum of the height (thickness) T21and the height (thickness) T22. The thickness T22of the filling layer500may be a distance respectively between a top surface of each of the first color conversion layer150, the second color conversion layer160, and the transmission layer170, and a top surface of the thin-film encapsulation layer440.

The first partition wall140amay be located between adjacent color conversion layers and transmission layers, respectively, and may block light introduced between the adjacent color conversion layers and transmission layers. Also, since the first partition wall140apartitions the first through third pixel areas PA, PA2, and PA3at the filling layer500, the first partition wall140amay reduce or effectively prevent a portion Lp of light emitted from the light-emitting device430in one pixel area from being transmitted through the filling layer500and being incident on a color conversion layer or a transmission layer of an adjacent pixel area. Accordingly, color mixing between pixel areas may be blocked, color matching and color reproducibility may be improved, light efficiency may be improved, and thus power consumption may be reduced.

FIG. 8is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure of still another embodiment of a display apparatus30according to the invention.

Referring toFIG. 8, the display apparatus30may include a display panel400aand the color filter100. The display apparatus30ofFIG. 8is different from the display apparatus10ofFIG. 6in that a second partition wall450is provided on the thin-film encapsulation layer440. The same element as that described with reference toFIG. 6will not be described. For convenience of description, the second partition wall450may be considered a portion of the display panel400a, or a portion of the display apparatus30which is separate from each of the color filter100and the display panel400aof the display apparatus30.

The display apparatus30may include the first partition wall140of the color filter100and the second partition wall450located on the thin-film encapsulation layer440. The first partition wall140and the second partition wall450may be located to correspond to the light-shielding area BA.

Since the first partition wall140is located between color conversion layers and transmission layers, respectively, the first partition wall140may reduce or effectively prevent color mixing by blocking light introduced between the color conversion layers and the transmission layers.

Since the second partition wall450partitions the first through third pixel areas PA1, PA2, and PA3at the filling layer500, the second partition wall450may reduce or effectively prevent a portion Lp of light emitted (Lb+Lp) from the light-emitting device430of one pixel area from passing through the thin-film encapsulation layer440and the filling layer500and being incident on a color conversion layer or a transmission layer of an adjacent pixel area. Light emitted at a relatively high angle, for example, an angle of about 60° to about 80°, relative to a top surface of the substrate410from among light emitted by the light-emitting device430of one pixel area may pass through the thin-film encapsulation layer440and the filling layer500and may be incident on a color conversion layer and/or a transmission layer of an adjacent pixel area. The second partition wall450may absorb, reflect, and/or scatter light of a relatively high-angle component of the light-emitting device430and may reduce or effectively prevent the light from being incident on a color conversion layer and/or a transmission layer of an adjacent pixel area. Accordingly, color mixing between pixel areas may be reduced or effectively prevented, color matching and color reproducibility may be improved, light efficiency may be improved, and thus power consumption may be reduced.

The second partition wall450may include a material that absorbs at least a portion of light incident thereto, a light reflecting material, or a light scattering material. The second partition wall450may include a black matrix. The second partition wall450may include an opaque inorganic insulating material such as CrOx or MoOx or an opaque organic insulating material such as black resin. The second partition wall450may include a layer having a relatively high light reflectance, for example, a metal layer. The metal layer may be a layer including or formed of silver (Ag), magnesium (Mg), aluminum (Al), platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), gold (Au), nickel (Ni), neodymium (Nd), iridium (Ir), chromium (Cr), an alloy thereof, or a compound thereof. In an embodiment, for example, the second partition wall450may include a layer including or formed of Ag. The second partition wall450may have a multi-layer structure in which a plurality of layers are continuously stacked. At least one of the continuously stacked layers may include a metal layer. In an embodiment, for example, the second partition wall450may include a transparent metal oxide material layer such as an indium tin oxide (“ITO”) layer and an Ag layer. In an embodiment, the second partition wall450may include a first transparent metal oxide material layer, an Ag layer, and a second transparent metal oxide material layer that are continuously stacked. In an embodiment of manufacturing a display apparatus, the second partition wall450may be formed by forming a partition wall-forming material on the thin-film encapsulation layer440and performing patterning of the partition wall-forming material.

FIG. 9is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure of yet another embodiment of a display apparatus40according to another embodiment.

Referring toFIG. 9, the display apparatus40may include the display panel400aand a color filter100b. The display apparatus40ofFIG. 9is different from the display apparatus30ofFIG. 8in that a first partition wall140band the second partition wall450contact each other. The same element as that described with reference toFIGS. 6 and 8will not be described.

The display apparatus40may include the first partition wall140bof the color filter100band the second partition wall450located on the thin-film encapsulation layer440. The first partition wall140band the second partition wall450may be located to correspond to the light-shielding area BA.

The first partition wall140bmay have a height (thickness) large enough to contact the second partition wall450provided on a top surface of the thin-film encapsulation layer440. A total height (thickness) of the first partition wall140bmay be less than a sum of a respective height (thickness) of each of the first color conversion layer150, the second color conversion layer160, and the transmission layer170, and a thickness of the filling layer500. A thickness of the filling layer500may be a distance respective between a top surface of each of the first color conversion layer150, the second color conversion layer160, and the transmission layer170, and the top surface of the thin-film encapsulation layer440.

The first partition wall140bmay be located between color conversion layers and transmission layers, respectively, and may reduce or effectively prevent color mixing by blocking light introduced between the color conversion layers and the transmission layers. Also, since the first partition wall140bpartitions the first through third pixel areas PA1, PA2, and PA3at the filling layer500along with the second partition wall450, the first partition wall140bmay reduce or effectively prevent a portion Lp of light emitted (Lb+Lp) from the light-emitting device430at one pixel area from passing through the filling layer500and being incident on a color conversion layer or a transmission layer of an adjacent pixel area.

Accordingly, color mixing between pixel areas may be reduced or effectively prevented, color matching and color reproducibility may be improved, light efficiency may be improved, and thus power consumption may be reduced.

FIG. 10is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure of yet another embodiment of a display apparatus50according to the invention.

Referring toFIG. 10, the display apparatus50may include the display panel400aand a color filter100c. The display apparatus50ofFIG. 10is different from the display apparatus30ofFIG. 8in that only the second partition wall450is provided among portions of a partition wall (400+450) provided in the display apparatus30ofFIG. 8. The same element as that described with reference toFIGS. 6 and 8will not be described.

The color filter100cmay include the light-shielding layer120for partitioning the first through third pixel areas PA1, PA2, and PA3for different colors and the first through third color filter layers130a,130b, and130cfor selectively transmitting different colors. The color filter100cis an example obtained by omitting the first partition wall140ofFIG. 6. The color filter100cmay further include the planarization layer190located on the first and second color conversion layers150and160and the transmission layer170and having a flat top surface. The planarization layer190and the filling layer500may together define a planarizing layer which is common to the color filter100cand the display panel400a.

The display apparatus50may include the second partition wall450located on the thin-film encapsulation layer440. The second partition wall450may be located to correspond to the light-shielding area BA. Since the second partition wall450partitions the first through the third pixel areas PA1, PA2, and PA3at the filling layer500, the second partition wall450may reduce or effectively prevent a portion Lp of light emitted (Lb+Lp) from the light-emitting device430at one pixel area from passing through the filling layer500and being incident on a color conversion layer or a transmission layer of an adjacent pixel area. Accordingly, color mixing between pixel areas may be reduced or effectively prevented, color matching and color reproducibility may be improved, light efficiency may be improved, and thus power consumption may be reduced.

Since in a conventional color filter, the color conversion layer does not transmit a portion of light emitted from a light source, like a color filter, and generates light having a different wavelength from the light emitted from the light source, light emitted from the color conversion layer is emitted in various directions. Also, a portion of the light emitted from the light source may pass through the color conversion layer without being converted. Accordingly, light of a first color emitted from one color conversion layer, light of a second color emitted by a color conversion layer adjacent to the one color conversion layer, or light of a third color emitted from the light source may be undesirably mixed, thereby leading to color mixing. As a result, color reproducibility may be reduced.

Display apparatuses according to one or more embodiment may include a first partition wall that is located in a light-shielding area respectively between color conversion layers and transmission layers of a color filter, and functions as a first blocking member for blocking light introduced between color conversion layers and transmission layers of adjacent pixel areas. The display apparatuses according to one or more embodiment may include a second partition wall that is located on a thin-film encapsulation layer of a display panel corresponding to the light-shielding area and the first partition wall, and functions a second blocking member for blocking light introduced from light-emitting devices of adjacent pixel areas. The display apparatuses according to one or more embodiment may reduce or effectively prevent color mixing between adjacent pixel areas by including at least one of the first partition wall and the second partition wall. Color matching, color reproducibility, and light efficiency of light emitted through the display apparatuses may be controlled by adjusting at least one of a thickness of the first partition wall and/or a thickness of the second partition wall, and the density of a scattering material and/or a reflective material.

According to various embodiments, since color mixing between adjacent pixels may be reduced or effectively prevented due to a partition wall respectively between adjacent color conversion layers and transmission layers and/or a partition wall on a thin-film encapsulation layer, a display apparatus having a relatively simple structure and improved color reproducibility may be provided.