Thermal transfer of light-emitting dendrimers

Abstract

In one method of making an organic electroluminescent device, a transfer layer is solution coated on a donor substrate. The transfer layer includes an amorphous, non-polymeric, organic matrix with a light emitting material disposed in the matrix. The transfer layer is then selectively patterned on a receptor. Examples of patterning methods include laser thermal transfer or thermal head transfer. The method and associated materials can be used to form, for example, organic electroluminescent devices.

1 . A method of making an organic electroluminescent device, the method comprising: 
 providing a donor element comprising a substrate and a transfer portion disposed on the substrate, the transfer portion comprising at least one transfer layer consisting of one or more light-emitting dendrimers;    providing a receptor; and    thermally transferring the transfer portion of the donor element to the receptor.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the donor element further comprises a light-to-heat conversion layer disposed between the substrate and the transfer portion.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the donor element further comprises an interlayer disposed between the light-to-heat conversion layer and the transfer portion.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the donor element further comprises an underlayer disposed between the substrate and the light-to-heat conversion layer.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the transfer portion further comprises a second transfer layer.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the second transfer layer comprises a material that produces, conducts, or semi-conducts a charge carrier.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the light emitting dendrimer is fluorescent.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the light emitting dendrimer is phosphorescent.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one transfer layer consists of more than one light emitting dendrimer.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the donor element is directly heated to thermally transfer the transfer portion to the receptor.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the donor element is exposed to imaging radiation that is converted into heat to thermally transfer the transfer portion to the receptor.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the donor element further comprises a light-to-heat conversion layer that converts the imaging radiation into heat.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the donor element is exposed to imaging radiation through a mask.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the donor element is exposed to imaging radiation generated by a laser.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the donor element and the receptor are held in intimate contact during thermal transfer of the transfer portion to the receptor.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the donor element and the receptor are spaced apart during thermal transfer of the transfer portion to the receptor.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the transfer portion is thermally transferred to the receptor in an imagewise fashion to form a pattern on the receptor.  
     
     
         18 . An organic electroluminescent device, comprising: 
 a receptor; and    a portion of a donor element on the receptor, the portion of the donor element comprising a substrate, a light-to-heat conversion layer overlaid on the substrate, and a transfer portion overlaid on the light-to-heat conversion layer, the transfer portion comprising at least one transfer layer consisting of one or more light-emitting dendrimers, wherein the donor element is placed in intimate contact on the receptor and is capable of thermal transfer of the transfer layer to the receptor when exposed to imaging radiation.    
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the donor element further comprises an interlayer disposed between the light-to-heat conversion layer and the transfer portion.  
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the donor element further comprises an underlayer disposed between the substrate and the light-to-heat conversion layer.  
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the transfer portion further comprises a second transfer layer.  
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the second transfer layer comprises a material that produces, conducts, or semi-conducts a charge carrier.  
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the light emitting dendrimer is fluorescent.  
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the light emitting dendrimer is phosphorescent.  
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the donor element is directly heated to thermally transfer the transfer portion to the receptor.  
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the donor element is exposed to imaging radiation that is converted into heat to thermally transfer the transfer portion to the receptor.  
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 26 , wherein the light-to-heat conversion layer converts the imaging radiation into heat.  
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 27 , wherein the donor element is exposed to imaging radiation through a mask.  
     
     
         29 . The device of  claim 27 , wherein the donor element is exposed to imaging radiation generated by a laser.  
     
     
         30 . The device of  claim 26 , wherein the transfer portion is thermally transferred to the receptor in an imagewise fashion to form a pattern on the receptor.