Patent Publication Number: US-2023157137-A1

Title: Display panel and manufacturing method thereof

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present application relates to the field of display, and specifically to a display panel and a manufacturing method thereof. 
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     Currently, organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display devices commonly use properties of organic light-emitting materials. Under a situation of applying an external electric field, holes and electrons produced recombine and release energy in an organic light-emitting material layer, thereby making the organic material emit light. However, because this kind of organic light-emitting materials are easily eroded by water and oxygen, the organic materials are damaged such that a light-emitting lifetime is affected. Meanwhile, total internal reflection that occurs in a display panel leads to a decreased light-emitting efficiency, and a lifetime of the display panel and the light-emitting efficiency are further affected. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     The present application provides a display panel and a manufacturing method thereof to increase a lifetime of the display panel and the light-emitting efficiency. 
     The present application provides a display panel that includes: an array substrate; a light emitting layer disposed on the array substrate, wherein the light emitting layer includes a pixel definition structure, a plurality of light emitting parts, and a cathode, the cathode is disposed on the array substrate, the pixel definition structure includes a plurality of grooves, the grooves penetrate through the pixel definition structure to expose the cathode, the light emitting parts are disposed in the grooves, and the light emitting parts are electrically connected to the array substrate; and a water and oxygen adsorption layer comprising a plurality of water and oxygen adsorption parts, wherein the water and oxygen adsorption parts are disposed on the pixel definition structure, and a surface of the water and oxygen adsorption parts is convex. 
     In the display panel according to the present application, the display panel includes a display area and a non-display area surrounding the display area, the pixel definition structure includes a first part and a second part, the first part is located at the display area, the second part is located at the non-display area, the light emitting parts are located at the display area, and the water and oxygen adsorption parts are located on the second part. 
     In the display panel according to the present application, the display panel includes a display area and a non-display area surrounding the display area, the pixel definition structure includes a first part and a second part, the first part is located at the display area, the second part is located at the non-display area, the light emitting parts are located at the display area, and the water and oxygen adsorption parts are located on the first part. 
     in the display panel according to the present application, the display panel includes a display area and a non-display area surrounding the display area, the pixel definition structure includes a first part and a second part, the first part is located at the display area, the second part is located at the non-display area, the light emitting parts are located at the display area, and the water and oxygen adsorption parts are located on the first part and on the second part. 
     In the display panel according to the present application, a diameter of the water and oxygen adsorption parts located at the first part is less than a diameter of the water and oxygen adsorption parts located at the second part. 
     In the display panel according to the present application, the display panel includes an encapsulation layer, the encapsulation layer is disposed on the water and oxygen adsorption layer and covers the pixel definition structure, the light emitting parts, and the water and oxygen adsorption parts. 
     In the display panel according to the present application, a material of the water and oxygen adsorption parts includes one or more of polyacrylate, polyvinyl alcohol, polyoxy alkane, polyurethane, acrylate, or casein. 
     In the display panel according to the present application, a shape of the water and oxygen adsorption parts is hemispherical. 
     The present application further provides a display panel that includes: an array substrate; a light emitting layer disposed on the array substrate, wherein the light emitting layer includes a pixel definition structure and a plurality of light emitting parts, the pixel definition structure includes a plurality of grooves, the light emitting parts are disposed in the grooves, and the light emitting parts are electrically connected to the array substrate; and a water and oxygen adsorption layer comprising a plurality of water and oxygen adsorption parts, wherein the water and oxygen adsorption parts are disposed on the pixel definition structure of the light emitting layer, and a surface of the water and oxygen adsorption parts is convex. 
     In the display panel according to the present application, the display panel includes a display area and a non-display area surrounding the display area, the pixel definition structure includes a first part and a second part, the first part is located at the display area, the second part is located at the non-display area, the light emitting parts are located at the display area, and the water and oxygen adsorption parts are located on the second part. 
     In the display panel according to the present application, the display panel includes a display area and a non-display area surrounding the display area, the pixel definition structure includes a first part and a second part, the first part is located at the display area, the second part is located at the non-display area, the light emitting parts are located at the display area, and the water and oxygen adsorption parts are located on the first part. 
     In the display panel according to the present application, the display panel includes a display area and a non-display area surrounding the display area, the pixel definition structure includes a first part and a second part, the first part is located at the display area, the second part is located at the non-display area, the light emitting parts are located at the display area, and the water and oxygen adsorption parts are located on the first part and on the second part. 
     In the display panel according to the present application, a diameter of the water and oxygen adsorption parts located at the first part is less than a diameter of the water and oxygen adsorption parts located at the second part. 
     In the display panel according to the present application, the display panel includes an encapsulation layer, the encapsulation layer is disposed on the water and oxygen adsorption layer and covers the pixel definition structure, the light emitting parts, and the water and oxygen adsorption parts. 
     In the display panel according to the present application, a material of the water and oxygen adsorption parts includes one or more of polyacrylate, polyvinyl alcohol, polyoxy alkane, polyurethane, acrylate, or casein. 
     In the display panel according to the present application, a shape of the water and oxygen adsorption parts is hemispherical. 
     The present application further provides a manufacturing method of a display panel that includes: providing an array substrate; forming a light emitting layer on the array substrate, wherein the light emitting layer includes a pixel definition structure and a plurality of light emitting parts, the pixel definition structure includes a plurality of grooves, the light emitting parts are disposed in the grooves, and the light emitting parts are electrically connected to the array substrate; and forming a water and oxygen adsorption layer on the light emitting layer, wherein the water and oxygen adsorption layer includes a plurality of water and oxygen adsorption parts, the water and oxygen adsorption parts are disposed on the pixel definition structure, and a surface of the water and oxygen adsorption parts is convex. 
     In the manufacturing method of a display panel according to the present application, a shape of the water and oxygen adsorption parts is hemispherical. 
     In the manufacturing method of a display panel according to the present application, the display panel includes a display area and a non-display area surrounding the display area, the pixel definition structure includes a first part and a second part, the first part is located at the display area, the second part is located at the non-display area, the light emitting parts are located at the display area, and the water and oxygen adsorption parts are located on the second part. 
     In the manufacturing method of a display panel according to the present application, a diameter of the water and oxygen adsorption parts located at the first part is less than a diameter of the water and oxygen adsorption parts located at the second part. 
     The present application provides a display panel and a manufacturing method thereof. The display panel includes an array substrate, a light emitting layer, and a water and oxygen adsorption layer. The light emitting layer is disposed on the array substrate. The light emitting layer includes a pixel definition structure and a plurality of light emitting parts, the pixel definition structure includes a plurality of grooves, the light emitting parts are disposed in the grooves, and the light emitting parts are electrically connected to the array substrate. The water and oxygen adsorption layer includes a plurality of water and oxygen adsorption parts, the water and oxygen adsorption parts are disposed on the pixel definition structure, and a surface of the water and oxygen adsorption parts is convex. In the present application, the water and oxygen adsorption parts are disposed on the pixel definition structure, the water and oxygen adsorption parts are configured as a convex surface that can adsorb water and oxygen, and a lifetime of the display panel and the light-emitting efficiency are increased. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       With reference to the following drawings, the technical approach and other beneficial effects of the present application will be obvious through describing embodiments of the present application in detail. 
         FIG.  1    is a sectional view of a display panel according to the present application. 
         FIG.  2    is a sectional view of an array substrate according to the present application. 
         FIG.  3    is a first top view of a display panel according to the present application. 
         FIG.  4    is a light path diagram of a water and oxygen adsorption layer according to the present application. 
         FIG.  5    is a second top view of a display panel according to the present application. 
         FIG.  6    is a third top view of a display panel according to the present application. 
         FIG.  7    is a fourth top view of a display panel according to the present application. 
         FIG.  8    is a fifth top view of a display panel according to the present application. 
         FIG.  9    is a flowchart of a manufacturing method of a display panel according to the present application. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to  FIG.  1   ,  FIG.  1    is a sectional view of a display panel according to the present application. The present application provides a display panel  10 , and the display panel  10  includes an array substrate  100 , a light emitting layer  200 , and a water and oxygen adsorption layer  300 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  2   ,  FIG.  2    is a sectional view of an array substrate according to the present application. Specifically, the array substrate  100  includes a flexible substrate  110  and a thin film transistor layer  120 . A material of the flexible substrate  110  is polyimide. The thin film transistor layer  120  is disposed on the flexible substrate  110 . The thin film transistor layer  120  includes a gate  121 , a first protection layer  122 , a gate insulating layer  123 , an active layer  124 , a source  125 , a drain  126 , and a second protection layer  127 . The gate  121  is disposed on the flexible substrate  110 . A material of the gate  121  includes one or more of Mo, Al, Ti, In, and Ga. The first protection layer  122  covers the gate  121 . The gate insulating layer  123  is disposed on the first protection layer  122 . A material of the gate insulating layer  123  includes one or more of Al 2 O 3 , SiOx, and SiNx. The active layer  124  is disposed on the gate insulating layer  123 . A material of the active layer  124  includes amorphous silicon. The source  125  is disposed on the gate insulating layer  123  and at one end of the active layer  124 . The drain  126  is disposed on the gate insulating layer  123  and at the other end of the active layer  124 . The source  125  is insulated from the drain  126 . The second protection layer  127  covers the source  125 , the drain  126 , and the active layer  124 . The second protection layer  127  is configured to protect a structure of the thin film transistor layer  120  to prevent other structures or water and oxygen from affecting structures of the thin film transistor layer  120 . The thin film transistor layer  120  further includes other structures in addition to the structures shown in  FIG.  2   , and description of those structures of the thin film transistor layer  120  is omitted here. 
     The array substrate  100  further includes a placement trough  130 . The placement trough  130  is formed in the thin film transistor layer  120 . 
     The light emitting layer  200  is disposed on the thin film transistor layer  120 . The light emitting layer  200  includes a pixel definition structure  210 , a plurality of light emitting parts  220 , and a cathode  230 . The cathode  230  is electrically connected to the array substrate  100  through being disposed in the placement trough  130 . The pixel definition structure  210  is disposed on the array substrate  100  and on the cathode  230 . The pixel definition structure  210  includes a plurality of grooves  211 . The grooves  211  penetrate through the pixel definition structure  210  to expose the cathode  230 . The light emitting parts  220  are disposed in the grooves  211 . 
       FIG.  3    is a first top view of a display panel according to the present application. Furthermore, the display panel  10  includes a display area 11 and a non-display area 12 surrounding the display area 11. The pixel definition structure  210  includes a first part  212  and a second part  213 . The first part  212  is located at the display area 11. The second part  213  is located at the non-display area 12. A water and oxygen adsorption part  310  is disposed on the first part  212 . The water and oxygen adsorption part  310  is located at a periphery of the grooves  211 . A surface of the water and oxygen adsorption part  310  is convex. A material of the water and oxygen adsorption part  310  includes one or more of polyacrylate, polyvinyl alcohol, polyoxy alkane, polyurethane, acrylate, and casein. 
     In one embodiment, a shape of the water and oxygen adsorption part  310  is hemispherical. 
     Referring again to  FIG.  1   , the display panel  10  further includes an encapsulation layer  400 . The encapsulation layer  400  is disposed on the water and oxygen adsorption layer  300 . The encapsulation layer  400  covers the pixel definition structure  210 , the light emitting parts  220 , and the water and oxygen adsorption part  310 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  4   ,  FIG.  4    is a light path diagram of a water and oxygen adsorption layer according to the present application. In the present application, the water and oxygen adsorption part  310  is disposed on the pixel definition structure  210 , and the water and oxygen adsorption part  310  can adsorb and lock water and oxygen entering the encapsulation layer, prevent the water and oxygen from eroding the light emitting layer, and increase a lifetime of the display panel. Furthermore, a surface of the water and oxygen adsorption part  310  is configured as convex, and hence a problem that light cannot penetrate a screen to be seen by human eyes because a refractive index of a material of an encapsulation layer is less than that of air is prevented. In the present application, the water and oxygen adsorption part is configured as convex, light emitted by the light emitting parts will reflect at the convex surface, which changes an incidence angle of the light, and therefore the light penetrates the encapsulation layer and light-emitting efficiency is increased. 
     Referring to  FIG.  5   ,  FIG.  5    is a second top view of a display panel according to the present application. The water and oxygen adsorption part  310  is disposed on the second part  213 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  6   ,  FIG.  6    is a third top view of a display panel according to the present application. The water and oxygen adsorption part  310  is disposed on the first part  212  as well as on the second part  213 . A diameter of the water and oxygen adsorption part  310  located on the first part  212  is less than that of the water and oxygen adsorption part  310  located on the second part  213 . 
     The water and oxygen adsorption layer is disposed on the pixel definition structure in the display area and the non-display area, adsorbs and locks water and oxygen entering the encapsulation layer, prevents the water and oxygen from eroding the light emitting parts, and increases a lifetime of the display panel. If an incidence angle of light is excessively wide, and a refractive index of a material of an encapsulation layer is greater than that of air, the light will occur total internal reflection at an interface of the encapsulation layer such that the light cannot penetrate a screen to be seen by human eyes. In the present application, the water and oxygen adsorption layer is configured as convex, light emitted by the light emitting parts will reflect at the convex surface, which changes an incidence angle of the light, and therefore the light penetrates the encapsulation layer and light-emitting efficiency is increased. 
     Referring to  FIG.  7   ,  FIG.  7    is a fourth top view of a display panel according to the present application. The water and oxygen adsorption part  310  is disposed at areas between adjacent columns and adjacent rows of grooves  211 , therefore the water and oxygen adsorption part  310  does not easily fall into the grooves  211 , the water and oxygen adsorption part  310  can be prepared rapidly, and production cost is further decreased. 
     Referring to  FIG.  8   ,  FIG.  8    is a fifth top view of a display panel according to the present application. The water and oxygen adsorption part  310  is disposed not only at gaps of columns of the grooves  211 , but also at gaps of rows of the grooves  211 , and thereby water and oxygen adsorption effect of the display panel is increased, and performance of the display panel is further ensured. 
     In the present application, the water and oxygen adsorption layer is disposed on the pixel definition structure, adsorbs and locks water and oxygen entering the encapsulation layer, prevents the water and oxygen from eroding the light emitting parts, and increases a lifetime of the display panel. Meanwhile, the water and oxygen adsorption part is configured as convex, light emitted by the light emitting parts will reflect at the convex surface, which changes an incidence angle of the light, and therefore the light penetrates the encapsulation layer and light-emitting efficiency is increased. 
     Referring to  FIG.  9   ,  FIG.  9    is a flowchart of a manufacturing method of a display panel according to the present application. The present application further provides a manufacturing method of a display panel  10  that includes: 
     20, providing an array substrate  100 . 
     Providing a flexible substrate  110 . A material of the flexible substrate  110  is polyimide. 
     Forming a thin film transistor layer  120  on the flexible substrate  110 . The thin film transistor layer  120  includes a gate  121 , a first protection layer  122 , a gate insulating layer  123 , an active layer  124 , a source  125 , a drain  126 , and a second protection layer  127 . The first protection layer  122  covers the gate  121 . The gate  121  is disposed on the flexible substrate  110 . A material of the gate  121  includes one or more of Mo, Al, Ti, In, and Ga. The gate insulating layer  123  is disposed on the first protection layer  122 . A material of the gate insulating layer  123  includes one or more of Al 2 O 3 , SiOx, and SiNx. The active layer  124  is disposed on the gate insulating layer  123 . A material of the active layer  124  includes amorphous silicon. The source  125  is disposed at one end of the gate insulating layer  123  and at one end of the active layer  124 . The drain  126  is disposed at the other end of the gate insulating layer  123  and at the other end of the active layer  124 . The source  125  is insulated from the drain  126 . The second protection layer  127  covers the source  125 , the drain  126 , and the active layer  124 . The second protection layer  127  is configured to protect a structure of the thin film transistor layer  120  to prevent other structures or water and oxygen from affecting structures of the thin film transistor layer  120 . The thin film transistor layer  120  further includes other structures in addition to the structures shown in  FIG.  2   , and description of those structures of the thin film transistor layer  120  is omitted here. 
     In another embodiment, etching the array substrate  100  to form a placement trough  130 . 
     30, forming a light emitting layer  200  on the array substrate  100 , wherein the light emitting layer  200  includes a pixel definition structure  210  and a plurality of light emitting parts  220 , the pixel definition structure  210  includes a plurality of grooves  211 , the light emitting parts  220  are disposed in the grooves  211 , and the light emitting parts  220  are electrically connected to the array substrate  100 . 
     Forming the light emitting layer  200  on the array substrate  100  by using evaporation. The light emitting layer  200  includes the pixel definition structure  210 , the plurality of light emitting parts  220 , and a cathode  230 . The cathode  230  is disposed in the placement trough  130  and on the array substrate  100 . The pixel definition structure  210  is disposed on the array substrate  100  and on the cathode  230 . The pixel definition structure  210  includes a plurality of grooves  211 . The display panel  10  includes a display area 11 and a non-display area 12 surrounding the display area 11. The pixel definition structure  210  includes a first part  212  and a second part  213 . The first part  212  is located at the display area 11. The second part  213  is located at the non-display area 12. The light emitting parts  220  are disposed in the grooves  211  and at the display area 11. The light emitting parts  220  are electrically connected to the array substrate  100 . 
     40, forming a water and oxygen adsorption layer  300  on the light emitting layer  200 , wherein the water and oxygen adsorption layer  300  includes a plurality of water and oxygen adsorption parts  310 , the water and oxygen adsorption parts  310  are disposed on the pixel definition structure  210 , and a surface of the water and oxygen adsorption parts  310  is convex. 
     A material of the water and oxygen adsorption layer  300  is printed on the light emitting layer  200 , and is cured using ultraviolet light to form the water and oxygen adsorption layer  300 . The water and oxygen adsorption layer  300  includes a plurality of water and oxygen adsorption parts  310 . An upper surface of the water and oxygen adsorption parts  310  is convex. Specifically, a structure of the water and oxygen adsorption parts  310  is a hemispherical structure. A material of the water and oxygen adsorption layer  300  includes one or more of polyacrylate, polyvinyl alcohol, polyoxy alkane, polyurethane, acrylate, and casein. The water and oxygen adsorption parts  310  are disposed on the second part  213 . 
     In another embodiment, the water and oxygen adsorption parts  310  are disposed on the first part  212 . 
     In another embodiment, the water and oxygen adsorption parts  310  are disposed on the first part  212  as well as on the second part  213 . A diameter of the water and oxygen adsorption parts  310  located on the first part  212  is less than that of the water and oxygen adsorption parts  310  located on the second part  213 . 
     In another embodiment, the water and oxygen adsorption parts  310  are disposed at areas between adjacent columns and adjacent rows of grooves  211 . 
     When the water and oxygen adsorption parts are disposed at the areas between adjacent columns and adjacent rows of grooves, because the areas between adjacent columns and adjacent rows of grooves are large, the water and oxygen adsorption parts do not easily fall into the grooves during the manufacturing processes, the water and oxygen adsorption parts can be prepared rapidly, production cycle is shortened, and production cost is decreased. 
     In another embodiment, the water and oxygen adsorption parts  310  are disposed not only at gaps of columns of the grooves  211 , but also at gaps of rows of the grooves  211 . 
     When water and oxygen adsorption parts are disposed at gaps of columns of grooves and at gaps of rows of the grooves, water and oxygen adsorption effect of a display panel is increased, and performance of the display panel is further ensured. 
     In another embodiment, after forming the water and oxygen adsorption layer  300 , depositing a material of an encapsulation layer  400  to form the encapsulation layer  400  on the water and oxygen adsorption layer  300 . The encapsulation layer  400  covers the pixel definition structure  210 , the light emitting parts  220 , and the water and oxygen adsorption parts  310 . 
     The present application provides a display panel and a manufacturing method thereof. In the present application, a water and oxygen adsorption layer is disposed on a pixel definition structure, wherein the water and oxygen adsorption layer includes a plurality of water and oxygen adsorption parts that adsorb and lock water and oxygen entering an encapsulation layer, prevent the water and oxygen from eroding light emitting parts, and increase a lifetime of the display panel. Meanwhile, the water and oxygen adsorption parts are configured as convex, and light emitted by the light emitting parts will reflect at the convex surface, which changes an incidence angle of the light, and therefore the light penetrates the encapsulation layer and light-emitting efficiency is increased.