Quantum dot compositions

• US 9,708,532 B2
• Filed: 08/14/2014
• Issued: 07/18/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nanoco Technologies Limited (Nanoco Group Plc)
• Original Assignee: Nanoco Technologies Limited (Nanoco Group Plc)
• Inventors: Vo, Cong-Duan, Narrainen, Amilcar Pillay, Ta, Yien, Hogarth, Emma Cherie, Shannon, Alexandra, Naasani, Imad, Mera-Pirttijarvi, Ross Jalmari, Poucher, Elliot Stuart
• Primary Examiner(s): Choi, Ling
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wang, Chun-Cheng
• Application Number:
  US14/460,237
• Publication Number:
  US 20150275078A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,069 Days
• Field of Search: 252582
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 20/00 Nanooptics, e.g. quantum optics or photonic crystals
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 40/00 Manufacture or treatment of nanostructures
• CPC Class Codes: C08J 2300/12 Polymers characterised by physical features, e.g. anisotropy, viscosity or electrical conductivity
• CPC Class Codes: C08J 2363/10 Epoxy resins modified by unsaturated compounds
• CPC Class Codes: C08J 5/18 Manufacture of films or sheets
• CPC Class Codes: C08K 3/32 Phosphorus-containing compounds
• CPC Class Codes: C08K 9/10 Encapsulated ingredients
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 11/02 Use of particular materials as binders, particle coatings or suspension media therefor
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 11/025 non-luminescent particle coatings or suspension media
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 11/565 with zinc cadmium
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 11/70 containing phosphorus
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 11/703 with zinc or cadmium
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/64 using wavelength conversion means distinct or spaced from the light-generating element, e.g. a remote phosphor layer
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 9/30 Elements containing photoluminescent material distinct from or spaced from the light source shades F21V1/17; globes, bowls or cover glasses F21V3/08, F21V3/12; refractors F21V5/10; reflectors F21V7/26, F21V7/30; elements with provision for controlling the spectral properties or intensity F21V9/40
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 33/50 Wavelength conversion elements
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/774 Exhibiting three-dimensional carrier confinement, e.g. quantum dots
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/783 Organic host/matrix, e.g. lipid
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/89 Deposition of materials, e.g. coating, cvd, or ald
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/95 Electromagnetic energy

Abstract

Multi-phase polymer films of quantum dots (QDs) are disclosed. The QDs are absorbed in a host matrix, which dispersed within an outer polymer phase. The host matrix is hydrophobic and is compatible with the surface of the QDs. The host matrix may also include a scaffolding material that prevents the QDs from agglomerating. The outer polymer is typically more hydrophilic and prevents oxygen from contacting the QDs.

Claims

1. A two-phase composition comprising:

a hydrophobic inner phase comprising a hydrophobic solvent selected from fatty acid esters and ethers, isopropyl myristate, isopropyl palmitate, phenyl palmitate, phenyl myristate, natural and synthetic oils, heat transfer liquids, fluorinated hydrocarbons, dibutyl sebacate, and diphenyl ether;

quantum dots (QDs) dispersed within the inner phase; and

a hydrophilic outer phase.

2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the inner phase further comprises a scaffolding material.

3. The composition of claim 2, wherein the scaffolding material is fumed silica, fumed alumina, a hydrophobic polymer, porous polymer beads, or a lipophilic cross-linked dextran gel.

4. The composition of claim 1, wherein the outer phase is an epoxy resin.

5. The composition of claim 1, wherein the outer phase is a bisphenol A-epoxy resin.

6. The composition of claim 1, wherein the outer phase comprises a polymer having a glass transition temperature of about 50°

C. or greater.

7. The composition of claim 1, wherein the outer phase comprises an epoxy-acrylate resin and one or more of 2-hydroxy ethyl acrylate (HEA), 2-hydroxy ethyl methacrylate (HEMA), hydroxy propyl acrylate (HPA), hydroxy propyl methacrylate (HPMA) or a carboxylic acid (meth)acrylate.

8. The composition of claim 7, wherein the carboxylic acid (meth)acrylate is any one of 2-carboxy ethyl (meth)acrylate oligomer (CEMAO), 2-carboxy ethyl acrylate oligomer (CEAO), acrylic acid (AA), or methacrylic acid (MMA).

9. A two-phase composition comprising:

a hydrophobic inner phase comprising a hydrophobic solvent;

quantum dots (QDs) dispersed within the inner phase; and

an epoxy resin outer phase.

10. A two-phase composition comprising:

a hydrophobic inner phase comprising a hydrophobic solvent;

quantum dots (QDs) dispersed within the inner phase; and

a bisphenol A-epoxy resin outer phase.

11. A two-phase composition comprising:

a hydrophobic inner phase comprising a hydrophobic solvent;

quantum dots (QDs) dispersed within the inner phase; and

an outer phase comprising an epoxy-acrylate resin and one or more of 2-hydroxy ethyl acrylate (HEA), 2-hydroxy ethyl methacrylate (HEMA), hydroxy propyl acrylate (HPA), hydroxy propyl methacrylate (HPMA) or a carboxylic acid (meth)acrylate.

12. A method of making a quantum dot (QD)-containing film, the method comprising:

dispersing QDs in a host phase, wherein the host phase comprises a hydrophobic solvent selected from fatty acid esters and ethers, isopropyl myristate, isopropyl palmitate, phenyl palmitate, phenyl myristate, natural and synthetic oils, heat transfer liquids, fluorinated hydrocarbons, dibutyl sebacate, and diphenyl ether,

adding the host phase to a solution of an outer phase resin to form a two-phase mixture, and

forming a film of the two-phase mixture.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the host phase further comprises a scaffolding material.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the scaffolding material is fumed silica, fumed alumina, a hydrophobic polymer, porous polymer beads, or a lipophilic cross-linked dextran gel.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the outer phase is an epoxy resin.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the outer phase is a bisphenol A-epoxy resin.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the outer phase comprises a polymer having a glass transition temperature of about 50°

C. or greater.

18. (Withdrawn-previously presented) The method of claim 12, wherein the outer phase comprises an epoxy-acrylate resin and one or more of 2-hydroxy ethyl acrylate (HEA), 2-hydroxy ethyl methacrylate (HEMA), hydroxy propyl acrylate (HPA), hydroxy propyl methacrylate (HPMA) or a carboxylic acid.