Skip to main content
Log in

Review of Organic/Inorganic Thin Film Encapsulation by Atomic Layer Deposition for a Flexible OLED Display

  • Application of Atomic Layer Deposition for Functional Nanomaterials
  • Published:
JOM Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Recent trends in thin film encapsulations (TFEs), fabricating organic/inorganic encapsulation films are reviewed. Atomic layer deposited inorganic films have superior barrier performance and have advantages of excellent uniformity over large scales at relatively low deposition temperatures. However, organic film should be combined with a hybrid structure for improved flexibility and longer lag time. We introduce various organic deposition methods and mechanisms for enhancing barrier performance. However, stress engineering is required to achieve high performance TFEs for flexible devices, new materials and deposition methods. First, modulating the internal stress in TFEs should be considered to increase flexibility by adopting other layers that can reduce internal stress. Second, controlling the configuration of the hybrid structure can prevent degradation due to cracks. Third, the introduction of a neutral plane as the middle layer decreases the strain. The results summarize how the device can improve barrier performance under external stress. This paper can guide the improvements in barrier performance.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. S.Y. Kim, K.Y. Kim, Y.-H. Tak, and J.-L. Lee, Appl. Phys. Lett. 89, 132108 (2006).

    Google Scholar 

  2. M. Schaer, F. Nüesch, D. Berner, W. Leo, and L. Zuppiroli, Adv. Funct. Mater. 11, 116 (2001).

    Google Scholar 

  3. P. Burrows, V. Bulovic, S. Forrest, L.S. Sapochak, D. McCarty, and M. Thompson, Appl. Phys. Lett. 65, 2922 (1994).

    Google Scholar 

  4. A.P. Alivisatos, K.P. Johnsson, X. Peng, T.E. Wilson, C.J. Loweth, M.P. Bruchez Jr., and P.G. Schultz, Nature 382, 609 (1996).

    Google Scholar 

  5. Y.C. Han, E. Kim, W. Kim, H.-G. Im, B.-S. Bae, and K.C. Choi, Org. Electron. 14, 1435 (2013).

    Google Scholar 

  6. P.F. Carcia, R. McLean, M. Reilly, M. Groner, and S. George, Appl. Phys. Lett. 89, 031915 (2006).

    Google Scholar 

  7. J. Meyer, P. Görrn, F. Bertram, S. Hamwi, T. Winkler, H.H. Johannes, T. Weimann, P. Hinze, T. Riedl, and W. Kowalsky, Adv. Mater. 21, 1845 (2009).

    Google Scholar 

  8. J. Meyer, D. Schneidenbach, T. Winkler, S. Hamwi, T. Weimann, P. Hinze, S. Ammermann, H.-H. Johannes, T. Riedl, and W. Kowalsky, Appl. Phys. Lett. 94, 157 (2009).

    Google Scholar 

  9. A. Ghosh, L. Gerenser, C. Jarman, and J. Fornalik, Appl. Phys. Lett. 86, 223503 (2005).

    Google Scholar 

  10. J.-S. Park, H. Chae, H.K. Chung, and S.I. Lee, Appl. Phys. Lett. 26, 034001 (2011).

    Google Scholar 

  11. S. S. Kim, H. S. Kim, J. G. Lee and C. W. Seo, In 64.1: Invited Paper: Ultra-high Precision Inkjet Printing Technology for Display, SID Symposium Digest of Technical Papers, Wiley Online Library : 839 (2018).

  12. A. Erlat, B. Henry, J. Ingram, D. Mountain, A. McGuigan, R. Howson, C. Grovenor, G. Briggs, and Y. Tsukahara, Thin Solid Films 388, 78 (2001).

    Google Scholar 

  13. G. Nisato, M. Kuilder, P. Bouten, L. Moro, O. Philips and N. Rutherford, In P-88: Thin Film Encapsulation for OLEDs: Evaluation of Multi-layer Barriers using the Ca Test, SID Symposium Digest of Technical Papers, Wiley Online Library: pp 550 (2003).

  14. D. Spee, K. van der Werf, J. Rath, and R. Schropp, Phys. Status Solidi RRL 6, 151 (2012).

    Google Scholar 

  15. H. Nakayama and M. Ito, Thin Solid Films 519, 4483 (2011).

    Google Scholar 

  16. A. da Silva Sobrinho, G. Czeremuszkin, M. Latreche, and M. Wertheimer, J. Vac. Sci. Technol., A 18, 149 (2000).

    Google Scholar 

  17. K. Yamashita, T. Mori, and T. Mizutani, J. Phys. D Appl. Phys. 34, 740 (2001).

    Google Scholar 

  18. P. Carcia, R. McLean, M. Groner, A. Dameron, and S. George, J. Appl. Phys. 106, 023533 (2009).

    Google Scholar 

  19. A. da Silva Sobrinho, M. Latreche, G. Czeremuszkin, J. Klemberg-Sapieha, and M. Wertheimer, J. Vac. Sci. Technol., A 16, 3190 (1998).

    Google Scholar 

  20. S.J. Yun, Y.-W. Ko, and J.W. Lim, Appl. Phys. Lett. 85, 4896 (2004).

    Google Scholar 

  21. H. Kim, J. Vac. Sci. Technol., B 21, 2231 (2003).

    Google Scholar 

  22. M. Leskelä and M. Ritala, Thin Solid Films 409, 138 (2002).

    Google Scholar 

  23. A.A. Dameron, S.D. Davidson, B.B. Burton, P.F. Carcia, R.S. McLean, and S.M. George, J. Phys. Chem. C 112, 4573 (2008).

    Google Scholar 

  24. S. Lim, J.-M. Kim, D. Kim, S. Kwon, J.-S. Park, and H. Kim, J. Electrochem. Soc. 157, H214 (2010).

    Google Scholar 

  25. J. Sheng, J.-H. Han, W.-H. Choi, J. Park, and J.-S. Park, ACS Appl Mater. Interfaces 9, 42928 (2017).

    Google Scholar 

  26. J. Park, T.-H. Jung, J.-H. Lee, H.-S. Kim, and J.-S. Park, Ceram. Int. 41, 1839 (2015).

    Google Scholar 

  27. B.D. Ahn, D.-W. Choi, C. Choi, and J.-S. Park, Appl. Phys. Lett. 105, 092103 (2014).

    Google Scholar 

  28. J.-D. Kwon, S.-H. Kwon, T.-H. Jung, K.-S. Nam, K.-B. Chung, D.-H. Kim, and J.-S. Park, Appl. Surf. Sci. 285, 373 (2013).

    Google Scholar 

  29. D.-W. Choi, K.-B. Chung, and J.-S. Park, Thin Solid Films 546, 31 (2013).

    Google Scholar 

  30. J.-D. Kwon, J.-W. Lee, K.-S. Nam, D.-H. Kim, Y. Jeong, S.-H. Kwon, and J.-S. Park, Curr. Appl. Phys. 12, S134 (2012).

    Google Scholar 

  31. F.H. Fabreguette, R.A. Wind, and S.M. George, Appl. Phys. Lett. 88, 013116 (2006).

    Google Scholar 

  32. T. Suntola and J. Hyvarinen, Annu. Rev. Mater. Sci. 15, 177 (1985).

    Google Scholar 

  33. J.-H. Choi, Y.-M. Kim, Y.-W. Park, T.-H. Park, J.-W. Jeong, H.-J. Choi, E.-H. Song, J.-W. Lee, C.-H. Kim, and B.-K. Ju, Nanotechnology 21, 475203 (2010).

    Google Scholar 

  34. S. Zhang, W. Xue, and Z. Yu, Thin Solid Films 580, 101 (2015).

    Google Scholar 

  35. J.H. Kwon, Y. Jeon, S. Choi, J.W. Park, H. Kim, and K.C. Choi, ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 9, 43983 (2017).

    Google Scholar 

  36. S.-W. Seo, E. Jung, H. Chae, S.J. Seo, H.K. Chung, and S.M. Cho, Thin Solid Films 550, 742 (2014).

    Google Scholar 

  37. S.-W. Seo, H.K. Chung, H. Chae, S.J. Seo, and S.M. Cho, NANO 8, 1350041 (2013).

    Google Scholar 

  38. E.G. Jeong, Y.C. Han, H.-G. Im, B.-S. Bae, and K.C. Choi, Org. Electron. 33, 150 (2016).

    Google Scholar 

  39. S.H. Lim, S.-W. Seo, H. Lee, H. Chae, and S.M. Cho, Korean J. Chem. Eng. 33, 1971 (2016).

    Google Scholar 

  40. E. Kim, Y. Han, W. Kim, K.C. Choi, H.-G. Im, and B.-S. Bae, Org. Electron. 14, 1737 (2013).

    Google Scholar 

  41. Y.C. Han, E.G. Jeong, H. Kim, S. Kwon, H.-G. Im, B.-S. Bae, and K.C. Choi, RSC Adv. 6, 40835 (2016).

    Google Scholar 

  42. F. Nehm, H. Klumbies, C. Richter, A. Singh, U. Schroeder, T. Mikolajick, T. Mönch, C. Hoßbach, M. Albert, and J.W. Bartha, ACS Appl Mater. Interfaces 7, 22121 (2015).

    Google Scholar 

  43. A. Bulusu, A. Singh, C.-Y. Wang, A. Dindar, C. Fuentes-Hernandez, H. Kim, D. Cullen, B. Kippelen, and S. Graham, J. Appl. Phys. 118, 085501 (2015).

    Google Scholar 

  44. L. Wang, C. Ruan, M. Li, J. Zou, H. Tao, J. Peng, and M. Xu, J. Mater. Chem. C 5, 4017 (2017).

    Google Scholar 

  45. K. Choi, S. Nam, Y. Lee, M. Lee, J. Jang, S.J. Kim, Y.J. Jeong, H. Kim, S. Bae, and J.-B. Yoo, ACS Nano 9, 5818 (2015).

    Google Scholar 

  46. H.-K. Seo, M.-H. Park, Y.-H. Kim, S.-J. Kwon, S.-H. Jeong, and T.-W. Lee, ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 8, 14725 (2016).

    Google Scholar 

  47. T. Nam, Y.J. Park, H. Lee, I.-K. Oh, J.-H. Ahn, S.M. Cho, and H. Kim, Carbon 116, 553 (2017).

    Google Scholar 

  48. D.-W. Choi, H. Park, J.H. Li, T.H. Han, and J.-S. Park, Carbon 125, 464 (2017).

    Google Scholar 

  49. S.Y. Kim, B.J. Kim, D.H. Kim, and S.G. Im, RSC Adv. 5, 68485 (2015).

    Google Scholar 

  50. B. J. Kim, D. H. Kim, S. Y. Kang, S. D. Ahn, and S. G. Im, J. Appl. Polym., Sci. 131 (2014).

  51. B. J. Kim, H. Seong, H. Shim, Y. I. Lee, and S. G. Im, Adv. Eng. Mater., 19 (2017).

  52. B.J. Kim, D. Han, S. Yoo, and S.G. Im, Korean J. Chem. Eng. 34, 892 (2017).

    Google Scholar 

  53. D. Spee, J.K. Rath, and R. Schropp, Thin Solid Films 575, 67 (2015).

    Google Scholar 

  54. S.-W. Seo, K.-H. Hwang, E. Jung, S.J. Seo, H. Chae, and S.M. Cho, Mater. Lett. 134, 142 (2014).

    Google Scholar 

  55. S.H. Lim, S.-W. Seo, E. Jung, H. Chae, and S.M. Cho, Korean J. Chem. Eng. 33, 1070 (2016).

    Google Scholar 

  56. S.-W. Seo, H. Chae, S. Joon Seo, H. Kyoon Chung, and S. Min Cho, Appl. Phys. Lett. 102, 161908 (2013).

    Google Scholar 

  57. S.-W. Seo, E. Jung, S. Joon Seo, H. Chae, H. Kyoon Chung, and S. Min Cho, J. Appl. Phys. 114, 143505 (2013).

    Google Scholar 

  58. B.H. Lee, B. Yoon, A.I. Abdulagatov, R.A. Hall, and S.M. George, Adv. Funct. Mater. 23, 532 (2013).

    Google Scholar 

  59. P. Sundberg and M. Karppinen, Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 5, 1104 (2014).

    Google Scholar 

  60. D.-W. Choi, M. Yoo, H.M. Lee, J. Park, H.Y. Kim, and J.-S. Park, ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces. 8, 12263 (2016).

    Google Scholar 

  61. S.-H. Jen, B.H. Lee, S.M. George, R.S. McLean, and P.F. Carcia, Appl. Phys. Lett. 101, 234103 (2012).

    Google Scholar 

  62. K.H. Yoon, H.S. Kim, K.S. Han, S.H. Kim, Y.-E.K. Lee, N.K. Shrestha, S.Y. Song, and M.M. Sung, ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces. 9, 5399 (2017).

    Google Scholar 

  63. F.B. Sun, Y. Duan, Y.Q. Yang, P. Chen, Y.H. Duan, X. Wang, D. Yang, and K.W. Xue, Org. Electron. 15, 2546 (2014).

    Google Scholar 

  64. Z. Chen, H. Wang, X. Wang, P. Chen, Y. Liu, H. Zhao, Y. Zhao, and Y. Duan, Sci. Rep. 7, 40061 (2017).

    Google Scholar 

  65. W. Xiao, D.Y. Hui, C. Zheng, D. Yu, Y.Y. Qiang, C. Ping, C.L. Xiang, and Z. Yi, Nanoscale Res. Lett. 10, 130 (2015).

    Google Scholar 

  66. M. Park, S. Oh, H. Kim, D. Jung, D. Choi, and J.-S. Park, Thin Solid Films 546, 153 (2013).

    Google Scholar 

  67. A. Behrendt, J. Meyer, P. van de Weijer, T. Gahlmann, R. Heiderhoff, and T. Riedl, ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 8, 4056 (2016).

    Google Scholar 

  68. S. Lee, J.-Y. Kwon, D. Yoon, H. Cho, J. You, Y.T. Kang, D. Choi, and W. Hwang, Nanoscale Res. Lett. 7, 256 (2012).

    Google Scholar 

  69. D.K. Hwang, C. Fuentes-Hernandez, J. Kim, W.J. Potscavage Jr., S.J. Kim, and B. Kippelen, Adv. Mater. 23, 1293 (2011).

    Google Scholar 

  70. N. Cordero, J. Yoon, and Z. Suo, Appl. Phys. Lett. 90, 111910 (2007).

    Google Scholar 

  71. D.C. Miller, R.R. Foster, Y. Zhang, S.-H. Jen, J.A. Bertrand, Z. Lu, D. Seghete, J.L. O’Patchen, R. Yang, and Y.-C. Lee, J. Appl. Phys. 105, 093527 (2009).

    Google Scholar 

  72. M.K. Tripp, C. Stampfer, D.C. Miller, T. Helbling, C.F. Herrmann, C. Hierold, K. Gall, S.M. George, and V.M. Bright, Sens. Actuators, A 130, 419 (2006).

    Google Scholar 

  73. K. Tapily, J.E. Jakes, D. Stone, P. Shrestha, D. Gu, H. Baumgart, and A. Elmustafa, J. Electrochem. Soc. 155, H545 (2008).

    Google Scholar 

  74. D.C. Miller, R.R. Foster, S.-H. Jen, J.A. Bertrand, S.J. Cunningham, A.S. Morris, Y.-C. Lee, S.M. George, and M.L. Dunn, Sens. Actuators, A 164, 58 (2010).

    Google Scholar 

  75. A.K. Geim and K.S. Novoselov, Nat. Mater. 6, 183 (2007).

    Google Scholar 

  76. G.L. Graff, R.E. Williford, and P.E. Burrows, J. Appl. Phys. 96, 1840 (2004).

    Google Scholar 

  77. W. Xiao, D. Yu, S.F. Bo, Y.Y. Qiang, Y. Dan, C. Ping, D.Y. Hui, and Z. Yi, RSC Adv. 4, 43850 (2014).

    Google Scholar 

  78. H. Zhang, H. Ding, M. Wei, C. Li, B. Wei, and J. Zhang, Nanoscale Res. Lett. 10, 169 (2015).

    Google Scholar 

  79. S.-W. Seo, E. Jung, C. Lim, H. Chae, and S.M. Cho, Thin Solid Films 520, 6690 (2012).

    Google Scholar 

  80. Y.G. Tropsha and N.G. Harvey, J. Phys. Chem. B 101, 2259 (1997).

    Google Scholar 

  81. S.-H. Jen, J.A. Bertrand, and S.M. George, J. Appl. Phys. 109, 084305 (2011).

    Google Scholar 

  82. Y. Leterrier, Prog. Mater Sci. 48, 1–55 (2003).

    Google Scholar 

  83. J.S. Lewis and M.S. Weaver, IEEE J. Sel. Top. Quantum Electron. 10, 45 (2004).

    Google Scholar 

  84. T. Chen, D. Wuu, C. Wu, C. Chiang, Y. Chen, and R. Horng, J. Electrochem. Soc. 153, F244 (2006).

    Google Scholar 

  85. S.I. Park, J.H. Ahn, X. Feng, S. Wang, Y. Huang, and J.A. Rogers, Adv. Funct. Mater. 18, 2673 (2008).

    Google Scholar 

  86. Y.F. Niu, S.F. Liu, J.Y. Chiou, C.Y. Huang, Y.W. Chiu, M.H. Lai, and Y.W. Liu, J. Soc. Inf. Disp. 24, 293 (2016).

    Google Scholar 

  87. J. Sheng, H.-J. Jeong, K.-L. Han, T. Hong, and J.-S. Park, J. Inf. Disp. 18, 159 (2017).

    Google Scholar 

  88. S. Kumar and M. Katiyar, J. Encapsulation Adsorpt. Sci. 7, 140 (2017).

    Google Scholar 

  89. Y. Duan, X. Wang, Y.-H. Duan, Y.-Q. Yang, P. Chen, D. Yang, F.-B. Sun, K.-W. Xue, N. Hu, and J.-W. Hou, Org. Electron. 15, 1936 (2014).

    Google Scholar 

  90. H. Seong, J. Choi, B.C. Jang, M. Kim, S. Yoo, S.Y. Choi, and S.G. Im, Adv. Electron. Mater. 2, 1500385 (2016).

    Google Scholar 

  91. S. Won, D. Lam, J.Y. Lee, H.-J. Jung, M. Hur, K.-S. Kim, H.-J. Lee, and J.-H. Kim, Nanotechnology 29, 125705 (2018).

    Google Scholar 

  92. E.G. Jeong, S. Kwon, J.H. Han, H.-G. Im, B.-S. Bae, and K.C. Choi, Nanoscale 9, 6370 (2017).

    Google Scholar 

  93. J.H. Kwon, S. Choi, Y. Jeon, H. Kim, K.S. Chang, and K.C. Choi, ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 9, 27062 (2017).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This research was supported by the MOTIE (Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy (#10080633) and KSRC (Korea Semiconductor Research Consortium) support program for the development of the future semiconductor device. And this work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korea government (NRF-2017R1D1A1B03034035).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jin-Seong Park.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Lee, S., Han, JH., Lee, SH. et al. Review of Organic/Inorganic Thin Film Encapsulation by Atomic Layer Deposition for a Flexible OLED Display. JOM 71, 197–211 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-018-3150-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-018-3150-3

Navigation