JP5577701B2 - ORGANIC ELECTROLUMINESCENT ELEMENT MATERIAL, ORGANIC ELECTROLUMINESCENT ELEMENT, DISPLAY DEVICE AND LIGHTING DEVICE - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an organic electroluminescence element material, an organic electroluminescence element, a display device, and a lighting device.

  Conventionally, as a light-emitting electronic display device, there is an electroluminescence display (hereinafter referred to as ELD). Examples of the constituent elements of ELD include inorganic electroluminescent elements and organic electroluminescent elements (hereinafter also referred to as organic EL elements). Inorganic electroluminescent elements have been used as planar light sources, but an alternating high voltage is required to drive the light emitting elements. An organic EL device has a structure in which a light emitting layer containing a compound that emits light is sandwiched between a cathode and an anode, injects electrons and holes into the light emitting layer, and recombines them to generate excitons (exciton). It is an element that emits light by using light emission (fluorescence / phosphorescence) when this exciton is deactivated, and can emit light at a voltage of about several volts to several tens of volts, and it is self-luminous. In addition, it is attracting attention from the viewpoints of space saving, portability and the like because it is a thin film type complete solid element with a wide viewing angle and high visibility.

  However, in organic EL elements for practical use in the future, development of organic EL elements that emit light efficiently and with high luminance with lower power consumption is desired.

  In Japanese Patent No. 3093796, a small amount of a phosphor is doped into a stilbene derivative, a distyrylarylene derivative or a tristyrylarylene derivative to achieve an improvement in light emission luminance and a longer device lifetime. Further, an element having an organic light-emitting layer in which an 8-hydroxyquinoline aluminum complex is used as a host compound and a small amount of phosphor is doped thereto (for example, JP-A 63-264692), and an 8-hydroxyquinoline aluminum complex is used as a host compound. For example, an element having an organic light emitting layer doped with a quinacridone dye (for example, JP-A-3-255190) is known.

  As described above, when light emission from excited singlet is used, the generation ratio of singlet excitons and triplet excitons is 1: 3, and thus the generation probability of luminescent excited species is 25%. Since the efficiency is about 20%, the limit of the external extraction quantum efficiency (η) is set to 5%.

  However, since the University of Princeton reported on an organic EL device using phosphorescence emission from an excited triplet (MA Baldo et al., Nature, 395, 151-154 (1998)), Research on materials that exhibit phosphorescence has become active.

  For example, M.M. A. Baldo et al. , Nature, 403, 17, 750-753 (2000), US Pat. No. 6,097,147, and the like.

  When excited triplets are used, the upper limit of internal quantum efficiency is 100%, so that in principle the luminous efficiency is four times that of excited singlets, and there is a possibility that almost the same performance as cold cathode tubes can be obtained. Therefore, it is attracting attention as a lighting application.

  For example, S.M. Lamansky et al. , J .; Am. Chem. Soc. , 123, 4304 (2001), etc., many compounds have been studied mainly for heavy metal complexes such as iridium complexes.

  In addition, the aforementioned M.I. A. Baldo et al. , Nature, 403, 17, 750-753 (2000), studies have been made using tris (2-phenylpyridine) iridium as a dopant.

In addition, M.M. E. Thompson et al., In The 10th International Works on Inorganic and Organic Electroluminescence (EL'00, Hamamatsu), used L ₂ Ir (acac), for example, (ppy) ₂ Ir (acac), e. 0 g, Tetsuo Tsutsui, etc., again The 10th International Workshop on Inorganic and Organic Electroluminescence (EL'00, Hamamatsu), the dopant as tris (2-(p-tolyl) pyridine) iridium (Ir (ptpy) _3), tris ( Studies using benzo [h] quinoline) iridium (Ir (bzq) ₃ ) and the like are being conducted (note that these metal complexes are generally called orthometalated iridium complexes).

  In addition, the S. Lamansky et al. , J .; Am. Chem. Soc. , 123, 4304 (2001) and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-247859, etc., attempts have been made to form devices using various iridium complexes.

  In order to obtain high luminous efficiency, in the 10th International Workshop on Inorganic and Organic Electroluminescence (EL'00, Hamamatsu), Ikai et al. Uses a hole transporting compound as a host of a phosphorescent compound. In addition, M.M. E. Thompson et al. Use various electron transporting materials as a host of phosphorescent compounds, doped with a novel iridium complex.

  Orthometalated complexes in which the central metal is platinum instead of iridium are also attracting attention. With respect to this type of complex, many examples are known in which ligands are characterized.

In addition, studies have been made to further improve the light emission efficiency by suppressing the triplet-triplet annihilation by dendrimerizing the phosphorescent dopant (see, for example, Patent Document 1). A dendrimer is a huge branched compound having a first generation, a second generation, etc., and is also called a dendritic material. However, these phosphorescent dendrimers do not improve the luminous efficiency as expected.
JP-T-2005-521210

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an organic EL element material that exhibits high luminous efficiency and can be driven at a low voltage, and an organic EL element, an illumination device, and a display device using the same. There is to do.

The said subject of this invention is achieved by the following structures (1)-( 6 ).
(1) The organic electroluminescent device material which is a Rukin metal complex represented by the following general formula (2a).
(In the formula, X ₁ represents a carbon atom, X ₂ represents a carbon atom or a nitrogen atom, A 1 represents an atomic group forming a benzene ring together with X ₁ and the carbon atom, and A 2 represents an imidazole together with X ₂ and the nitrogen atom. Represents a group of atoms forming a ring, a pyrazole ring, a pyridine ring or an isoquinoline ring, Ar ₁ represents a divalent group derived from an aromatic ring or an aromatic heterocyclic ring , and at least one of Ar ₁ represents dibenzofuryl Represents a ren group, H ₁ represents a carrier transport unit comprising a carbazolyl group, n 1 represents an integer of 1 to 10, and M represents iridium.
(2 ) The organic electroluminescence element material according to (1 ), wherein the first emission wavelength is in the range of 400 to 500 nm.
( 3 ) The organic electroluminescent element characterized by containing the organic electroluminescent element material as described in said (1) or (2) .
( 4 ) An organic electroluminescence device, wherein an organic layer containing the organic electroluminescence device material according to (1) or (2) is formed by a wet process.
( 5 ) A display device comprising the organic electroluminescence element according to ( 3 ) or ( 4 ).
( 6 ) An illuminating device comprising the organic electroluminescence element according to ( 3 ) or ( 4 ).
In addition, the following structures 1-18 are structures used as a reference.

  1. An organic electroluminescence element material, which is a metal complex having a partial structure represented by the following general formula (1).

(In the formula, T represents a phosphorescent light emitting unit, Ar ₁ represents an aromatic ring or an aromatic heterocyclic ring, H ₁ represents a carrier transport unit, and n1 represents an integer of 0 to 10.)
2. An organic electroluminescence element material, which is a metal complex having a partial structure represented by the following general formula (2).

(In the formula, X ₁ and X ₂ each independently represent a carbon atom or a nitrogen atom, A 1 represents an atomic group that forms an aromatic ring or an aromatic heterocyclic ring together with X ₁ and a carbon atom, and A 2 represents X ₂ and Represents an atomic group that forms an aromatic ring or an aromatic heterocyclic ring together with a nitrogen atom, Ar ₁ represents an aromatic ring or an aromatic heterocyclic ring, H ₁ represents a carrier transport unit, and n1 represents an integer of 0 to 10 M represents a group 8-10 metal in the periodic table.
3. An organic electroluminescence element material, which is a metal complex having a partial structure represented by the following general formula (3).

(In the formula, X ₁ and X ₂ each independently represent a carbon atom or a nitrogen atom, A 1 represents an atomic group that forms an aromatic ring or an aromatic heterocyclic ring together with X ₁ and a carbon atom, and A 2 represents X ₂ and Represents an atomic group that forms an aromatic ring or an aromatic heterocyclic ring together with a nitrogen atom, Ar ₁ represents an aromatic ring or an aromatic heterocyclic ring, H ₁ represents a carrier transport unit, and n1 represents an integer of 0 to 10 M represents a group 8-10 metal in the periodic table.
4). 4. The organic electroluminescence device material according to 2 or 3, wherein A1 represented by the general formulas (2) and (3) is a 5-membered heterocyclic ring.

  5. 5. The organic electroluminescence element material according to 4, wherein A2 represented by the general formulas (2) and (3) is an imidazole ring.

  6). 5. The organic electroluminescent element material according to 4, wherein A2 represented by the general formulas (2) and (3) is a pyrazole ring.

  7). 4. The organic electroluminescent element material according to 2 or 3, wherein A2 represented by the general formulas (2) and (3) is a pyridine ring.

  8). 4. The organic electroluminescent element material according to 2 or 3, wherein A2 represented by the general formulas (2) and (3) is an isoquinoline ring.

  9. 4. The organic electroluminescence element material according to 2 or 3, wherein A1 represented by the general formulas (2) and (3) is an aromatic ring.

  10. 10. The organic electroluminescence device material according to 9, wherein A1 represented by the general formulas (2) and (3) is a benzene ring.

  11. 11. The organic electroluminescent element material according to any one of 1 to 10, wherein H1 represented by the general formulas (1) to (3) is represented by the following general formula (4).

(Wherein X _{3 to} X ₁₀ each independently represents a carbon atom, a nitrogen atom or an oxygen atom, R _{1 to} R ₁₀ each represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent, and Ar ₂ represents an aromatic ring or an aromatic heterocyclic ring. N2 represents an integer of 0 to 10, and R ₅ and R ₆ may be directly bonded to form a ring.)
12 11. The organic electroluminescence element material according to any one of 1 to 10, wherein H1 represented by the general formulas (1) to (3) is represented by the following general formula (5).

(Wherein X _{3 to} X ₁₀ each independently represents a carbon atom, a nitrogen atom or an oxygen atom, R _{1 to} R ₁₀ each represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent, and any one of R _{1 to} R ₁₀ is-( Ar ₄ ) _{n 3} —, Ar ₃ and Ar ₄ represent an aromatic ring or an aromatic heterocyclic ring, n 3 represents an integer of 0 to 10, and R ₅ and R ₆ are directly bonded to form a ring. May be.)
13. 13. The organic electroluminescent element material according to any one of 1 to 12 above, wherein the metal of the metal complex is platinum or iridium.

  14 14. The organic electroluminescence element material according to any one of 1 to 13, wherein the first emission wavelength is in the range of 400 to 500 nm.

  15. The organic electroluminescent element material of any one of said 1-14 is contained, The organic electroluminescent element characterized by the above-mentioned.

  16. 15. An organic electroluminescent element, wherein an organic layer containing the organic electroluminescent element material according to any one of 1 to 14 is formed by a wet process.

  17. 17. A display device comprising the organic electroluminescence element as described in 15 or 16 above.

  18. 17. An illumination device comprising the organic electroluminescence element as described in 15 or 16 above.

  According to the present invention, an organic EL element material that exhibits high luminous efficiency and can be driven at a low voltage, an organic EL element using the material, and an illumination device and a display device using the organic EL element can be provided.

It is the schematic diagram which showed an example of the display apparatus comprised from an organic EL element. It is a schematic diagram of a display part. It is the schematic of an illuminating device. It is sectional drawing of an illuminating device. It is a figure which shows a phosphorescence light emission unit.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Display 3 Pixel 5 Scan line 6 Data line 7 Power supply line 10 Organic EL element 11 Switching transistor 12 Drive transistor 13 Capacitor A Display part B Control part 107 Glass substrate with a transparent electrode 106 Organic EL layer 105 Cathode 102 Glass cover 108 Nitrogen gas 109 Water catcher

  In the organic EL element material of the present invention, the organic EL element material useful for the organic EL element has been successfully molecularly designed by the configuration defined in any one of the above 1 to 14. By using this, it was possible to obtain an organic EL element, a lighting device, and a display device that showed high luminous efficiency and could be driven at a low voltage.

  Hereinafter, details of each component according to the present invention will be sequentially described.

[Organic EL element materials]
The organic EL element material of the present invention will be described.

  The organic EL element material (metal complex) of the present invention is characterized in that the phosphorescent light emitting unit and the carrier transport unit are connected in a straight chain. By using this organic EL element material, high luminous efficiency is exhibited. In addition, an organic EL element that can be driven at a low voltage was obtained.

(Phosphorescence unit)
In the present invention, the phosphorescent light emitting unit refers to a unit composed of a metal atom M, a ligand composed of an A ring and a B ring, as shown in FIG.

(Carrier transport unit)
It is a compound that consists of aromatic and aromatic heterocycles and that transports carriers. It refers to a general organic EL electron transport material, hole transport material, and host material, and is preferably a compound represented by the general formulas (4) and (5).

(Ligand)
The organic EL device material (metal complex) of the present invention has a partial structure represented by the general formulas (1) to (3), or each tautomer of the general formulas (1) to (3). (Specifically, having a structure as a ligand), and all of the ligands of the metal complex are represented by the general formulas (1) to (3). Or a structure represented by each of the tautomers of the general formulas (1) to (3), which is used for forming a conventionally known metal complex. The child may have a known ligand (also called a coordination compound) as a ligand as necessary.

  From the viewpoint of preferably obtaining the effects described in the present invention, the type of the ligand in the complex is preferably composed of 1 to 2 types, more preferably 1 type.

  As a ligand used in a conventionally known metal complex, there are various known ligands. For example, “Photochemistry and Photophysics of Coordination Compounds”, Springer-Verlag, H.C. Published by Yersin in 1987, “Organometallic Chemistry-Fundamentals and Applications-” Liu Huabo Company, Akio Yamamoto, published in 1982, etc. (for example, halogen ligands (preferably chlorine ligands), Nitrogen heterocyclic ligands (for example, bipyridyl, phenanthroline, etc.) and diketone ligands).

(Transition metal element of group 8-10 of the periodic table)
As the metal used for forming the metal complex in the present invention, a transition metal element belonging to Group 8 to 10 of the periodic table (also simply referred to as a transition metal) is used, among which iridium and platinum are preferable.

<< Metal Complex having Partial Structure Represented by General Formula (1) >>
In the general formula (1), T represents the phosphorescent light emitting unit, Ar ₁ represents an aromatic ring or an aromatic heterocyclic ring, H ₁ represents the carrier transport unit, and n1 represents an integer of 0 to 10. .

As the aromatic ring represented by Ar ₁ , phenyl group, p-chlorophenyl group, mesityl group, tolyl group, xylyl group, naphthyl group, anthryl group, azulenyl group, acenaphthenyl group, fluorenyl group, phenanthryl group, indenyl group, Examples include a pyrenyl group, a biphenylyl group, a metaterphenylyl group, and the like.

The aromatic heterocycle represented by Ar ₁ includes an oxazole ring, an oxadiazole ring, an oxatriazole ring, an isoxazole ring, a tetrazole ring, a thiadiazole ring, a thiatriazole ring, an isothiazole ring, a thiophene ring, a furan ring, and a pyrrole. Examples include a ring, an imidazole ring, a pyrazole ring, a triazole ring, a pyridine ring, a pyridazine ring, a pyrimidine ring, a pyrazine ring, a diazine ring, and a triazine ring.

The aromatic ring or aromatic heterocyclic ring represented by Ar ₁ may have a substituent, and examples of the substituent include an alkyl group (for example, a methyl group, an ethyl group, a propyl group, an isopropyl group, a tert-butyl group). , Pentyl group, hexyl group, octyl group, dodecyl group, tridecyl group, tetradecyl group, pentadecyl group, etc.), alkoxy group (for example, methoxy group, ethoxy group, propyloxy group, isopropyloxy group, tert-butyloxy group, pentyloxy) Group, hexyloxy group, octyloxy group, dodecyloxy group, etc.), branched alkyl group (for example, isopropyl group, tert-butyl group, etc.) or branched alkoxy group (for example, isopropyloxy group, tert-butyloxy group, etc.) Is more preferable.

<< Metal Complex having Partial Structure Represented by General Formula (2) >>
In the general formula (2), X ₁ and X ₂ each independently represent a carbon atom or a nitrogen atom, A 1 represents an atomic group that forms an aromatic ring or an aromatic heterocyclic ring together with X ₁ and the carbon atom, and A 2 represents X ₂ represents an atomic group that forms an aromatic ring or an aromatic heterocyclic ring together with a nitrogen atom, Ar ₁ represents an aromatic ring or an aromatic heterocyclic ring, H ₁ represents the carrier transport unit, and n1 represents 0 to 0 Represents an integer of 10, and M represents a metal of Group 8 to 10 in the periodic table.

The aromatic ring or aromatic heterocycle represented by A1 or A2 has the same meaning as the aromatic ring or aromatic heterocycle represented by Ar ₁ in the general formula (1). This aromatic ring or aromatic heterocyclic ring may have the substituent described in the general formula (1).

<< Metal Complex having Partial Structure Represented by General Formula (3) >>
In the general formula (3), X ₁ and X ₂ each independently represent a carbon atom or a nitrogen atom, A 1 represents an atomic group that forms an aromatic ring or an aromatic heterocyclic ring together with X ₁ and the carbon atom, and A 2 represents X ₂ represents an atomic group that forms an aromatic ring or an aromatic heterocyclic ring together with a nitrogen atom, Ar ₁ represents an aromatic ring or an aromatic heterocyclic ring, H ₁ represents the carrier transport unit, and n1 represents 0 to 0 Represents an integer of 10, and M represents a metal of Group 8 to 10 in the periodic table.

The aromatic ring or aromatic heterocycle represented by A1 or A2 has the same meaning as the aromatic ring or aromatic heterocycle represented by Ar ₁ in the general formula (1). This aromatic ring or aromatic heterocyclic ring may have the substituent described in the general formula (1).

  A1 represented by the general formulas (2) and (3) is preferably a 5-membered heterocyclic ring. Examples of the 5-membered heterocyclic ring include oxazole ring, oxadiazole ring, oxatriazole ring, isoxazole ring, tetrazole ring, thiadiazole ring, thiatriazole ring, isothiazole ring, thiophene ring, furan ring, pyrrole ring, imidazole ring, Examples include a pyrazole ring and a triazole ring.

  A2 represented by the general formulas (2) and (3) is preferably an imidazole ring, a pyrazole ring, a pyridine ring, or an isoquinoline ring.

A1 represented by the general formulas (2) and (3) is preferably an aromatic ring. As an aromatic ring, it is synonymous with the aromatic ring represented by Ar < ₁ > of General formula (1), and a benzene ring is more preferable.

H1 represented by the general formulas (1) to (3) is preferably represented by the general formula (4). In the general formula (4), X _{3 to} X ₁₀ each independently represents a carbon atom, a nitrogen atom or an oxygen atom, R _{1 to} R ₁₀ represent a hydrogen atom or a substituent, and Ar ₂ represents an aromatic ring or aromatic group. Represents a heterocyclic ring, n2 represents an integer of 0 to 10, and R ₅ and R ₆ may be directly bonded to form a ring. The substituent represented by R _{1 to} R ₁₀ , the aromatic ring or aromatic heterocyclic ring represented by Ar _{2 has} the same meaning as the substituent, aromatic ring or aromatic heterocyclic ring described in the general formula (1). is there.

H1 represented by the general formulas (1) to (3) is preferably represented by the general formula (5). In the general formula (5), X _{3 to} X ₁₀ each independently represents a carbon atom, a nitrogen atom or an oxygen atom, R _{1 to} R ₁₀ represent a hydrogen atom or a substituent, and any one of R _{1 to} R ₁₀ Is represented by — (Ar ₄ ) _n3 —, Ar ₃ and Ar ₄ represent an aromatic ring or an aromatic heterocyclic ring, n3 represents an integer of 0 to 10, and R ₅ and R ₆ are directly bonded to form a ring. May be formed. The substituent represented by R _{1 to} R ₁₀ , the aromatic ring or aromatic heterocycle represented by Ar ₃ or Ar ₄ is the substituent, aromatic ring or aromatic heterocycle described in the general formula (1). It is synonymous with.

  Hereinafter, although the specific example of the metal complex which has the said general formula (1)-(3) or its tautomer of this invention as a partial structure is shown, this invention is not limited to these.

  These metal complexes are described in, for example, Organic Letter, vol. 16, 2579-2581 (2001), Inorganic Chemistry, Vol. 30, No. 8, pp. 1685-1687 (1991), J. Am. Am. Chem. Soc. , 123, 4304 (2001), Inorganic Chemistry, Vol. 40, No. 7, 1704-1711 (2001), Inorganic Chemistry, Vol. 41, No. 12, 3055-3066 (2002) , New Journal of Chemistry. 26, 1171 (2002), Organic Letter, vol8, No. 3, 415 to 418 (2006), and further by applying methods such as references described in these documents.

<< Constituent layers of organic EL elements >>
The constituent layers of the organic EL element of the present invention will be described. In this invention, although the preferable specific example of the layer structure of an organic EL element is shown below, this invention is not limited to these.
(I) Anode / light emitting layer / electron transport layer / cathode (ii) Anode / hole transport layer / light emitting layer / electron transport layer / cathode (iii) Anode / hole transport layer / light emitting layer / hole blocking layer / electron Transport layer / cathode (iv) anode / hole transport layer / light emitting layer / hole blocking layer / electron transport layer / cathode buffer layer / cathode (v) anode / anode buffer layer / hole transport layer / light emitting layer / hole Blocking layer / electron transport layer / cathode buffer layer / cathode In the organic EL device of the present invention, the first emission wavelength (emission maximum wavelength) is preferably in the range of 400 to 500 nm, more preferably 430 to 480 nm. Moreover, it is preferable that it is a display apparatus using the green light emitting layer whose emission maximum wavelength is 510-550 nm, and the red light emitting layer whose emission maximum wavelength is 600-640 nm. Alternatively, a white light emitting layer may be formed by laminating at least three light emitting layers. Further, a non-light emitting intermediate layer may be provided between the light emitting layers. The organic EL element of the present invention is preferably a white light emitting layer, and is preferably a lighting device using these.

  Each layer which comprises the organic EL element of this invention is demonstrated.

<Light emitting layer>
The light emitting layer according to the present invention is a layer that emits light by recombination of electrons and holes injected from the electrode, the electron transport layer, or the hole transport layer, and the light emitting portion is in the layer of the light emitting layer. May be the interface between the light emitting layer and the adjacent layer.

  The total film thickness of the light emitting layer is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of improving the uniformity of the film, preventing unnecessary application of high voltage during light emission, and improving the stability of the emission color with respect to the drive current. It is preferable to adjust in the range of 2 nm to 5 μm, more preferably in the range of 2 to 200 nm, and particularly preferably in the range of 10 to 20 nm.

  For the production of the light-emitting layer, a light-emitting dopant or a host compound, which will be described later, is formed and formed by a known thinning method such as a vacuum deposition method, a spin coating method, a casting method, an LB method, or an ink-jet method. it can.

  The light emitting layer of the organic EL device of the present invention preferably contains a light emitting host compound and at least one kind of light emitting dopant (such as a phosphorescent dopant (also referred to as a phosphorescent dopant) or a fluorescent dopant).

(Host compound (also called luminescent host))
The host compound used in the present invention will be described.

  Here, the host compound in the present invention is a phosphorescent quantum yield of phosphorescence emission at a room temperature (25 ° C.) having a mass ratio of 20% or more in the compound contained in the light emitting layer. Is defined as a compound of less than 0.1. The phosphorescence quantum yield is preferably less than 0.01. Moreover, it is preferable that the mass ratio in the layer is 20% or more among the compounds contained in a light emitting layer.

  As the host compound, known host compounds may be used alone or in combination of two or more. By using a plurality of types of host compounds, it is possible to adjust the movement of charges, and the organic EL element can be made highly efficient. Moreover, it becomes possible to mix different light emission by using multiple types of light emission dopants mentioned later, and, thereby, arbitrary luminescent colors can be obtained.

  The light emitting host used in the present invention may be a conventionally known low molecular compound or a high molecular compound having a repeating unit, and a low molecular compound having a polymerizable group such as a vinyl group or an epoxy group (deposition polymerization property). Light emitting host).

  As the known host compound that may be used in combination, a compound that has a hole transporting ability and an electron transporting ability, prevents the emission of light from becoming longer, and has a high Tg (glass transition temperature) is preferable.

  Specific examples of known host compounds include compounds described in the following documents.

  JP-A-2001-257076, 2002-308855, 2001-313179, 2002-319491, 2001-357777, 2002-334786, 2002-8860, 2002-334787, 2002-15871, 2002-334788, 2002-43056, 2002-334789, 2002-75645, 2002-338579, 2002-105445 gazette, 2002-343568 gazette, 2002-141173 gazette, 2002-352957 gazette, 2002-203683 gazette, 2002-363227 gazette, 2002-231453 gazette, No. 003-3165, No. 2002-234888, No. 2003-27048, No. 2002-255934, No. 2002-286061, No. 2002-280183, No. 2002-299060, No. 2002. -302516, 2002-305083, 2002-305084, 2002-308837, and the like.

(Luminescent dopant)
The light emitting dopant according to the present invention will be described.

  As the light-emitting dopant according to the present invention, a fluorescent dopant (also referred to as a fluorescent compound) or a phosphorescent dopant (also referred to as a phosphorescent emitter, a phosphorescent compound, a phosphorescent compound, or the like) can be used. From the viewpoint of obtaining an organic EL device with high luminous efficiency, the light emitting dopant used in the light emitting layer or the light emitting unit of the organic EL device of the present invention (sometimes simply referred to as a light emitting material) contains the above host compound. At the same time, it is preferable to contain a phosphorescent dopant.

(Phosphorescent dopant)
The phosphorescent dopant according to the present invention will be described.

  The phosphorescent dopant according to the present invention is a compound in which light emission from an excited triplet is observed. Specifically, the phosphorescent dopant is a compound that emits phosphorescence at room temperature (25 ° C.) and has a phosphorescence quantum yield of 25. Although it is defined as a compound of 0.01 or more at ° C., a preferable phosphorescence quantum yield is 0.1 or more.

  The phosphorescence quantum yield can be measured by the method described in Spectroscopic II, page 398 (1992 edition, Maruzen) of Experimental Chemistry Course 4 of the 4th edition. Although the phosphorescence quantum yield in a solution can be measured using various solvents, the phosphorescence dopant according to the present invention achieves the phosphorescence quantum yield (0.01 or more) in any solvent. That's fine.

  There are two types of light emission of phosphorescent dopants in principle. One is the recombination of carriers on the host compound to which carriers are transported to generate an excited state of the host compound, and this energy is transferred to the phosphorescent dopant. The energy transfer type that obtains light emission from the phosphorescent dopant, and the other is that the phosphorescent dopant becomes a carrier trap, carrier recombination occurs on the phosphorescent dopant, and light emission from the phosphorescent dopant is obtained. Although it is a trap type, in any case, the excited state energy of the phosphorescent dopant is required to be lower than the excited state energy of the host compound.

  The phosphorescent dopant can be appropriately selected from known materials used for the light emitting layer of the organic EL device.

  The phosphorescent dopant according to the present invention is preferably a complex compound containing a group 8-10 metal in the periodic table, more preferably an iridium compound, an osmium compound, or a platinum compound (platinum complex compound), Rare earth complexes, most preferably iridium compounds.

  Although the specific example of the compound used as a phosphorescence dopant below is shown, this invention is not limited to these. These compounds are described, for example, in Inorg. Chem. 40, 1704-1711, and the like.

(Fluorescent dopant (also called fluorescent compound))
Fluorescent dopants (fluorescent compounds) include coumarin dyes, pyran dyes, cyanine dyes, croconium dyes, squalium dyes, oxobenzanthracene dyes, fluorescein dyes, rhodamine dyes, pyrylium dyes, perylene dyes Examples thereof include dyes, stilbene dyes, polythiophene dyes, and rare earth complex phosphors.

  Next, an injection layer, a blocking layer, an electron transport layer, and the like used as a constituent layer of the organic EL element of the present invention will be described.

<< Injection layer: electron injection layer, hole injection layer >>
The injection layer is provided as necessary, and there are an electron injection layer and a hole injection layer, and as described above, it exists between the anode and the light emitting layer or the hole transport layer and between the cathode and the light emitting layer or the electron transport layer. May be.

  An injection layer is a layer provided between an electrode and an organic layer in order to reduce drive voltage and improve light emission luminance. “Organic EL element and its forefront of industrialization (issued by NTT Corporation on November 30, 1998) 2), Chapter 2, “Electrode Materials” (pages 123 to 166) in detail, and includes a hole injection layer (anode buffer layer) and an electron injection layer (cathode buffer layer).

  The details of the anode buffer layer (hole injection layer) are described in JP-A-9-45479, JP-A-9-260062, JP-A-8-288069 and the like. As a specific example, copper phthalocyanine is used. Examples thereof include a phthalocyanine buffer layer represented by an oxide, an oxide buffer layer represented by vanadium oxide, an amorphous carbon buffer layer, and a polymer buffer layer using a conductive polymer such as polyaniline (emeraldine) or polythiophene.

  The details of the cathode buffer layer (electron injection layer) are described in JP-A-6-325871, JP-A-9-17574, JP-A-10-74586, and the like. Specifically, strontium, aluminum, etc. Metal buffer layer typified by lithium, alkali metal compound buffer layer typified by lithium fluoride, alkaline earth metal compound buffer layer typified by magnesium fluoride, oxide buffer layer typified by aluminum oxide, etc. . The buffer layer (injection layer) is preferably a very thin film, and the film thickness is preferably in the range of 0.1 nm to 5 μm although it depends on the material.

<Blocking layer: hole blocking layer, electron blocking layer>
As described above, the blocking layer is provided as necessary in addition to the basic constituent layer of the organic compound thin film. For example, it is described in JP-A Nos. 11-204258, 11-204359, and “Organic EL elements and their forefront of industrialization” (issued by NTT, Inc. on November 30, 1998). There is a hole blocking (hole blocking) layer.

  The hole blocking layer has a function of an electron transport layer in a broad sense, and is made of a hole blocking material that has a function of transporting electrons and has a remarkably small ability to transport holes. The probability of recombination of electrons and holes can be improved by blocking. Moreover, the structure of the electron carrying layer mentioned later can be used as a hole-blocking layer concerning this invention as needed.

  The hole blocking layer of the organic EL device of the present invention is preferably provided adjacent to the light emitting layer.

  The hole blocking layer preferably contains the azacarbazole derivative mentioned as the host compound.

  In the present invention, when a plurality of light emitting layers having different light emission colors are provided, the light emitting layer having the shortest wavelength of light emission is preferably closest to the anode among all the light emitting layers. In this case, it is preferable to additionally provide a hole blocking layer between the shortest wave layer and the light emitting layer next to the anode next to the anode. Furthermore, it is preferable that 50% by mass or more of the compound contained in the hole blocking layer provided at the position has an ionization potential of 0.3 eV or more larger than the host compound of the shortest wave emitting layer.

  The ionization potential is defined by the energy required to emit an electron at the HOMO (highest occupied molecular orbital) level of the compound to the vacuum level, and can be obtained by the following method, for example.

  (1) Using Gaussian 98 (Gaussian 98, Revision A.11.4, MJ Frisch, et al, Gaussian, Inc., Pittsburgh PA, 2002.), a molecular orbital calculation software manufactured by Gaussian, USA The ionization potential can be obtained as a value obtained by rounding off the second decimal place of the value (eV unit converted value) calculated by performing structural optimization using B3LYP / 6-31G *. This calculation value is effective because the correlation between the calculation value obtained by this method and the experimental value is high.

  (2) The ionization potential can also be obtained by a method of directly measuring by photoelectron spectroscopy. For example, a method known as ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy can be suitably used by using a low energy electron spectrometer “Model AC-1” manufactured by Riken Keiki Co., Ltd.

  On the other hand, the electron blocking layer has a function of a hole transport layer in a broad sense, and is made of a material that has a function of transporting holes and has an extremely small ability to transport electrons, and transports electrons while transporting holes. By blocking, the recombination probability of electrons and holes can be improved. Moreover, the structure of the positive hole transport layer mentioned later can be used as an electron blocking layer as needed. The film thickness of the hole blocking layer and the electron transport layer according to the present invention is preferably 3 nm to 100 nm, and more preferably 5 nm to 30 nm.

《Hole transport layer》
The hole transport layer is made of a hole transport material having a function of transporting holes, and in a broad sense, a hole injection layer and an electron blocking layer are also included in the hole transport layer. The hole transport layer can be provided as a single layer or a plurality of layers.

  The hole transport material has any one of hole injection or transport and electron barrier properties, and may be either organic or inorganic. For example, triazole derivatives, oxadiazole derivatives, imidazole derivatives, polyarylalkane derivatives, pyrazoline derivatives and pyrazolone derivatives, phenylenediamine derivatives, arylamine derivatives, amino-substituted chalcone derivatives, oxazole derivatives, styrylanthracene derivatives, fluorenone derivatives, hydrazone derivatives, Examples thereof include stilbene derivatives, silazane derivatives, aniline copolymers, and conductive polymer oligomers, particularly thiophene oligomers.

  The above-mentioned materials can be used as the hole transport material, but it is preferable to use a porphyrin compound, an aromatic tertiary amine compound and a styrylamine compound, particularly an aromatic tertiary amine compound.

  Representative examples of aromatic tertiary amine compounds and styrylamine compounds include N, N, N ', N'-tetraphenyl-4,4'-diaminophenyl; N, N'-diphenyl-N, N'- Bis (3-methylphenyl)-[1,1′-biphenyl] -4,4′-diamine (TPD); 2,2-bis (4-di-p-tolylaminophenyl) propane; 1,1-bis (4-di-p-tolylaminophenyl) cyclohexane; N, N, N ′, N′-tetra-p-tolyl-4,4′-diaminobiphenyl; 1,1-bis (4-di-p-tolyl) Aminophenyl) -4-phenylcyclohexane; bis (4-dimethylamino-2-methylphenyl) phenylmethane; bis (4-di-p-tolylaminophenyl) phenylmethane; N, N'-diphenyl-N, N ' − (4-methoxyphenyl) -4,4'-diaminobiphenyl; N, N, N ', N'-tetraphenyl-4,4'-diaminodiphenyl ether; 4,4'-bis (diphenylamino) quadriphenyl; N, N, N-tri (p-tolyl) amine; 4- (di-p-tolylamino) -4 '-[4- (di-p-tolylamino) styryl] stilbene; 4-N, N-diphenylamino- (2-diphenylvinyl) benzene; 3-methoxy-4'-N, N-diphenylaminostilbenzene; N-phenylcarbazole, as well as two of those described in US Pat. No. 5,061,569 Having a condensed aromatic ring in the molecule, for example, 4,4'-bis [N- (1-naphthyl) -N-phenylamino] biphenyl (NPD), JP-A-4-308 4,4 ', 4 "-tris [N- (3-methylphenyl) -N-phenylamino] triphenylamine in which three triphenylamine units described in Japanese Patent No. 88 are linked in a starburst type ( MTDATA) and the like.

  Furthermore, a polymer material in which these materials are introduced into a polymer chain or these materials are used as a polymer main chain can also be used. In addition, inorganic compounds such as p-type-Si and p-type-SiC can also be used as the hole injection material and the hole transport material.

  JP-A-11-251067, J. Org. Huang et. al. A so-called p-type hole transport material as described in a book (Applied Physics Letters 80 (2002), p. 139) can also be used. In the present invention, these materials are preferably used because a light-emitting element with higher efficiency can be obtained.

  The hole transport layer can be formed by thinning the hole transport material by a known method such as a vacuum deposition method, a spin coating method, a casting method, a printing method including an ink jet method, or an LB method. it can. Although there is no restriction | limiting in particular about the film thickness of a positive hole transport layer, Usually, 5 nm-about 5 micrometers, Preferably it is 5-200 nm. The hole transport layer may have a single layer structure composed of one or more of the above materials.

  Alternatively, a hole transport layer having a high p property doped with impurities can be used. Examples thereof include JP-A-4-297076, JP-A-2000-196140, JP-A-2001-102175, J. Pat. Appl. Phys. 95, 5773 (2004), and the like.

  In the present invention, it is preferable to use a hole transport layer having such a high p property because a device with lower power consumption can be produced.

《Electron transport layer》
The electron transport layer is made of a material having a function of transporting electrons, and in a broad sense, an electron injection layer and a hole blocking layer are also included in the electron transport layer. The electron transport layer can be provided as a single layer or a plurality of layers.

  Conventionally, in the case of a single electron transport layer and a plurality of layers, an electron transport material (also serving as a hole blocking material) used for an electron transport layer adjacent to the light emitting layer on the cathode side is injected from the cathode. As long as it has a function of transferring electrons to the light-emitting layer, any material can be selected and used from among conventionally known compounds. For example, nitro-substituted fluorene derivatives, diphenylquinone derivatives Thiopyrandioxide derivatives, carbodiimides, fluorenylidenemethane derivatives, anthraquinodimethane and anthrone derivatives, oxadiazole derivatives and the like. Furthermore, in the above oxadiazole derivative, a thiadiazole derivative in which an oxygen atom of the oxadiazole ring is substituted with a sulfur atom, or a quinoxaline derivative having a quinoxaline ring known as an electron withdrawing group can also be used as an electron transport material. Furthermore, a polymer material in which these materials are introduced into a polymer chain or these materials are used as a polymer main chain can also be used.

  Also, metal complexes of 8-quinolinol derivatives such as tris (8-quinolinol) aluminum (Alq), tris (5,7-dichloro-8-quinolinol) aluminum, tris (5,7-dibromo-8-quinolinol) aluminum, Tris (2-methyl-8-quinolinol) aluminum, tris (5-methyl-8-quinolinol) aluminum, bis (8-quinolinol) zinc (Znq), etc., and the central metals of these metal complexes are In, Mg, Cu , Ca, Sn, Ga, or Pb can also be used as an electron transport material. In addition, metal-free or metal phthalocyanine, or those having terminal ends substituted with an alkyl group or a sulfonic acid group can be preferably used as the electron transporting material. In addition, the distyrylpyrazine derivative exemplified as the material of the light emitting layer can also be used as an electron transport material, and an inorganic semiconductor such as n-type-Si, n-type-SiC, etc. as in the case of the hole injection layer and the hole transport layer. Can also be used as an electron transporting material.

  The electron transport layer can be formed by thinning the electron transport material by a known method such as a vacuum deposition method, a spin coating method, a casting method, a printing method including an ink jet method, or an LB method. Although there is no restriction | limiting in particular about the film thickness of an electron carrying layer, Usually, 5 nm-about 5 micrometers, Preferably it is 5-200 nm. The electron transport layer may have a single layer structure composed of one or more of the above materials.

  Further, an electron transport layer having a high n property doped with impurities can also be used. Examples thereof include JP-A-4-297076, JP-A-10-270172, JP-A-2000-196140, 2001-102175, J.A. Appl. Phys. 95, 5773 (2004), and the like.

  In the present invention, it is preferable to use an electron transport layer having such a high n property because an element with lower power consumption can be manufactured.

"anode"
As the anode in the organic EL element, an electrode material made of a metal, an alloy, an electrically conductive compound, or a mixture thereof having a high work function (4 eV or more) is preferably used. Specific examples of such electrode substances include metals such as Au, and conductive transparent materials such as CuI, indium tin oxide (ITO), SnO ₂ , and ZnO. Alternatively, an amorphous material such as IDIXO (In ₂ O ₃ —ZnO) capable of forming a transparent conductive film may be used. For the anode, these electrode materials may be formed into a thin film by a method such as vapor deposition or sputtering, and a pattern having a desired shape may be formed by a photolithography method, or when pattern accuracy is not so high (about 100 μm or more) A pattern may be formed through a mask having a desired shape at the time of vapor deposition or sputtering of the electrode material. Or when using the substance which can be apply | coated like an organic electroconductivity compound, wet film forming methods, such as a printing system and a coating system, can also be used. When light emission is extracted from the anode, it is desirable that the transmittance be greater than 10%, and the sheet resistance as the anode is preferably several hundred Ω / □ or less. Further, although the film thickness depends on the material, it is usually in the range of 10 to 1000 nm, preferably in the range of 10 to 200 nm.

"cathode"
On the other hand, as the cathode, a material having a low work function (4 eV or less) metal (referred to as an electron injecting metal), an alloy, an electrically conductive compound, and a mixture thereof as an electrode material is used. Specific examples of such electrode materials include sodium, sodium-potassium alloy, magnesium, lithium, magnesium / copper mixture, magnesium / silver mixture, magnesium / aluminum mixture, magnesium / indium mixture, aluminum / aluminum oxide (Al ₂ O ₃ ) Mixtures, indium, lithium / aluminum mixtures, rare earth metals and the like. Among these, from the point of durability against electron injection and oxidation, etc., a mixture of an electron injecting metal and a second metal which is a stable metal having a larger work function than this, for example, a magnesium / silver mixture, Suitable are a magnesium / aluminum mixture, a magnesium / indium mixture, an aluminum / aluminum oxide (Al ₂ O ₃ ) mixture, a lithium / aluminum mixture, aluminum and the like. The cathode can be produced by forming a thin film of these electrode materials by a method such as vapor deposition or sputtering. The sheet resistance as a cathode is preferably several hundred Ω / □ or less, and the film thickness is usually selected in the range of 10 nm to 5 μm, preferably 50 nm to 200 nm. In order to transmit the emitted light, if either one of the anode or the cathode of the organic EL element is transparent or translucent, the light emission luminance is improved, which is convenient.

  Moreover, after producing the said metal with a film thickness of 1-20 nm on a cathode, a transparent or semi-transparent cathode can be produced by producing the electroconductive transparent material quoted by description of the anode on it, By applying this, an element in which both the anode and the cathode are transmissive can be manufactured.

《Support substrate》
As a support substrate (hereinafter also referred to as a substrate, substrate, substrate, support, etc.) that can be used in the organic EL device of the present invention, there is no particular limitation on the type of glass, plastic, etc. May be opaque. When extracting light from the support substrate side, the support substrate is preferably transparent. Examples of the transparent support substrate preferably used include glass, quartz, and a transparent resin film. A particularly preferable support substrate is a resin film capable of giving flexibility to the organic EL element.

  Examples of the resin film include polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyethylene, polypropylene, cellophane, cellulose diacetate, cellulose triacetate, cellulose acetate butyrate, cellulose acetate propionate (CAP), Cellulose esters such as cellulose acetate phthalate (TAC) and cellulose nitrate or derivatives thereof, polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene vinyl alcohol, syndiotactic polystyrene, polycarbonate, norbornene resin, polymethylpentene, polyether ketone, polyimide , Polyethersulfone (PES), polyphenylene sulfide, polysulfones Cycloolefin resins such as polyetherimide, polyetherketoneimide, polyamide, fluororesin, nylon, polymethylmethacrylate, acrylic or polyarylate, Arton (trade name, manufactured by JSR) or Appel (trade name, manufactured by Mitsui Chemicals) Can be mentioned.

On the surface of the resin film, an inorganic film, an organic film, or a hybrid film of both may be formed. Water vapor permeability (25 ± 0.5 ° C.) measured by a method according to JIS K 7129-1992. , Relative humidity (90 ± 2)% RH) is preferably 0.01 g / (m ² · 24 h) or less of a barrier film, and oxygen measured by a method according to JIS K 7126-1987. A high barrier film having a permeability of 10 ⁻³ ml / (m ² · 24 hr · MPa) or less and a water vapor permeability of 10 ⁻⁵ g / (m ² · 24 h) or less is preferable.

  As a material for forming the barrier film, any material may be used as long as it has a function of suppressing entry of elements that cause deterioration of elements such as moisture and oxygen. For example, silicon oxide, silicon dioxide, silicon nitride, or the like can be used. Further, in order to improve the brittleness of the film, it is more preferable to have a laminated structure of these inorganic layers and organic material layers. Although there is no restriction | limiting in particular about the lamination | stacking order of an inorganic layer and an organic layer, It is preferable to laminate | stack both alternately several times.

  The method for forming the barrier film is not particularly limited. For example, the vacuum deposition method, sputtering method, reactive sputtering method, molecular beam epitaxy method, cluster ion beam method, ion plating method, plasma polymerization method, atmospheric pressure plasma weight A combination method, a plasma CVD method, a laser CVD method, a thermal CVD method, a coating method, and the like can be used, but an atmospheric pressure plasma polymerization method as described in JP-A-2004-68143 is particularly preferable.

  Examples of the opaque support substrate include metal plates such as aluminum and stainless steel, films, opaque resin substrates, and ceramic substrates.

  The external extraction efficiency at room temperature of light emission of the organic EL device of the present invention is preferably 1% or more, more preferably 5% or more. Here, the external extraction quantum efficiency (%) = the number of photons emitted to the outside of the organic EL element / the number of electrons sent to the organic EL element × 100.

  In addition, a hue improvement filter such as a color filter may be used in combination, or a color conversion filter that converts the emission color from the organic EL element into multiple colors using a phosphor. In the case of using a color conversion filter, the λmax of light emission of the organic EL element is preferably 480 nm or less.

<Sealing>
As a sealing means used for this invention, the method of adhere | attaching a sealing member, an electrode, and a support substrate with an adhesive agent can be mentioned, for example.

  As a sealing member, it should just be arrange | positioned so that the display area | region of an organic EL element may be covered, and concave plate shape or flat plate shape may be sufficient. Further, transparency and electrical insulation are not particularly limited.

  Specific examples include a glass plate, a polymer plate / film, and a metal plate / film. Examples of the glass plate include soda-lime glass, barium / strontium-containing glass, lead glass, aluminosilicate glass, borosilicate glass, barium borosilicate glass, and quartz. Examples of the polymer plate include polycarbonate, acrylic, polyethylene terephthalate, polyether sulfide, and polysulfone. Examples of the metal plate include those made of one or more metals or alloys selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, iron, copper, aluminum, magnesium, nickel, zinc, chromium, titanium, molybdenum, silicon, germanium, and tantalum.

In the present invention, a polymer film and a metal film can be preferably used because the element can be thinned. Furthermore, the polymer film has an oxygen permeability measured by a method according to JIS K 7126-1987 of 1 × 10 ⁻³ ml / (m ² · 24 hr · MPa) or less, and a method according to JIS K 7129-1992. It is preferable that the water vapor permeability (25 ± 0.5 ° C., relative humidity (90 ± 2)% RH) measured in (1) is 1 × 10 ⁻³ g / (m ² · 24 h) or less. .

  For processing the sealing member into a concave shape, sandblasting, chemical etching, or the like is used.

  Specific examples of the adhesive include photocuring and thermosetting adhesives having reactive vinyl groups such as acrylic acid oligomers and methacrylic acid oligomers, and moisture curing adhesives such as 2-cyanoacrylates. be able to. Moreover, heat | fever and chemical curing types (two-component mixing), such as an epoxy type, can be mentioned. Moreover, hot-melt type polyamide, polyester, and polyolefin can be mentioned. Moreover, a cationic curing type ultraviolet curing epoxy resin adhesive can be mentioned.

  In addition, since an organic EL element may deteriorate by heat processing, what can be adhesive-hardened from room temperature to 80 degreeC is preferable. A desiccant may be dispersed in the adhesive. Application | coating of the adhesive agent to a sealing part may use commercially available dispenser, and may print like screen printing.

  In addition, it is also preferable that the electrode and the organic layer are coated on the outside of the electrode facing the support substrate with the organic layer interposed therebetween, and an inorganic or organic layer is formed in contact with the support substrate to form a sealing film. . In this case, the material for forming the film may be any material that has a function of suppressing intrusion of elements that cause deterioration of elements such as moisture and oxygen. For example, silicon oxide, silicon dioxide, silicon nitride, or the like may be used. it can. Further, in order to improve the brittleness of the film, it is preferable to have a laminated structure of these inorganic layers and layers made of organic materials. The method for forming these films is not particularly limited. For example, vacuum deposition, sputtering, reactive sputtering, molecular beam epitaxy, cluster-ion beam method, ion plating method, plasma polymerization method, atmospheric pressure plasma A polymerization method, a plasma CVD method, a laser CVD method, a thermal CVD method, a coating method, or the like can be used.

  In the gap between the sealing member and the display area of the organic EL element, an inert gas such as nitrogen or argon, or an inert liquid such as fluorinated hydrocarbon or silicon oil can be injected in the gas phase and liquid phase. preferable. A vacuum is also possible. Moreover, a hygroscopic compound can also be enclosed inside.

  Examples of the hygroscopic compound include metal oxides (for example, sodium oxide, potassium oxide, calcium oxide, barium oxide, magnesium oxide, aluminum oxide) and sulfates (for example, sodium sulfate, calcium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, cobalt sulfate). Etc.), metal halides (eg calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, cesium fluoride, tantalum fluoride, cerium bromide, magnesium bromide, barium iodide, magnesium iodide etc.), perchloric acids (eg perchloric acid) Barium, magnesium perchlorate, and the like), and anhydrous salts are preferably used in sulfates, metal halides, and perchloric acids.

《Protective film, protective plate》
In order to increase the mechanical strength of the element, a protective film or a protective plate may be provided on the outer side of the sealing film on the side facing the support substrate with the organic layer interposed therebetween or on the sealing film. In particular, when the sealing is performed by the sealing film, the mechanical strength is not necessarily high, and thus it is preferable to provide such a protective film and a protective plate. As a material that can be used for this, the same glass plate, polymer plate / film, metal plate / film, etc. used for the sealing can be used, but the polymer film is light and thin. Is preferably used.

《Light extraction》
The organic EL element emits light inside a layer having a refractive index higher than that of air (refractive index is about 1.7 to 2.1) and can extract only about 15% to 20% of the light generated in the light emitting layer. It is generally said. This is because light incident on the interface (interface between the transparent substrate and air) at an angle θ greater than the critical angle causes total reflection and cannot be taken out of the device, or between the transparent electrode or light emitting layer and the transparent substrate. This is because the light is totally reflected between the light and the light is guided through the transparent electrode or the light emitting layer, and as a result, the light escapes in the direction of the element side surface.

  As a method for improving the light extraction efficiency, for example, a method of forming irregularities on the surface of the transparent substrate to prevent total reflection at the interface between the transparent substrate and the air (US Pat. No. 4,774,435), A method of improving efficiency by providing a light collecting property to a substrate (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-314795), a method of forming a reflective surface on a side surface of an element (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-220394), and light emission from a substrate A method of forming an antireflection film by introducing a flat layer having an intermediate refractive index between the bodies (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-172691), a flat having a lower refractive index between the substrate and the light emitter than the substrate A method of introducing a layer (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-202827), a method of forming a diffraction grating between any one of a substrate, a transparent electrode layer and a light emitting layer (including between the substrate and the outside) (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-283951) Gazette).

  In the present invention, these methods can be used in combination with the organic EL device of the present invention. However, a method of introducing a flat layer having a lower refractive index than the substrate between the substrate and the light emitter, or a substrate, transparent A method of forming a diffraction grating between any layers of the electrode layer and the light emitting layer (including between the substrate and the outside) can be suitably used.

  In the present invention, by combining these means, it is possible to obtain an element having higher luminance or durability.

  When a medium having a low refractive index is formed between the transparent electrode and the transparent substrate with a thickness longer than the wavelength of light, the light extracted from the transparent electrode has a higher extraction efficiency to the outside as the refractive index of the medium is lower.

  Examples of the low refractive index layer include aerogel, porous silica, magnesium fluoride, and a fluorine-based polymer. Since the refractive index of the transparent substrate is generally about 1.5 to 1.7, the low refractive index layer preferably has a refractive index of about 1.5 or less. Further, it is preferably 1.35 or less.

  The thickness of the low refractive index medium is preferably at least twice the wavelength in the medium. This is because the effect of the low refractive index layer is diminished when the thickness of the low refractive index medium is about the wavelength of light and the electromagnetic wave that has exuded by evanescent enters the substrate.

  The method of introducing a diffraction grating into an interface or any medium that causes total reflection is characterized by a high effect of improving light extraction efficiency. This method uses the property that the diffraction grating can change the direction of light to a specific direction different from refraction by so-called Bragg diffraction such as first-order diffraction and second-order diffraction. Light that cannot be emitted due to total internal reflection between layers is diffracted by introducing a diffraction grating in any layer or medium (in a transparent substrate or transparent electrode), and the light is removed. I want to take it out.

  The introduced diffraction grating desirably has a two-dimensional periodic refractive index. This is because light emitted from the light-emitting layer is randomly generated in all directions, so in a general one-dimensional diffraction grating having a periodic refractive index distribution only in a certain direction, only light traveling in a specific direction is diffracted. Therefore, the light extraction efficiency does not increase so much. However, by making the refractive index distribution a two-dimensional distribution, light traveling in all directions is diffracted, and light extraction efficiency is increased.

  As described above, the position where the diffraction grating is introduced may be in any of the layers or in the medium (in the transparent substrate or in the transparent electrode), but is preferably in the vicinity of the organic light emitting layer where light is generated.

  At this time, the period of the diffraction grating is preferably about 1/2 to 3 times the wavelength of light in the medium.

  The arrangement of the diffraction grating is preferably two-dimensionally repeated, such as a square lattice, a triangular lattice, or a honeycomb lattice.

<Condenser sheet>
The organic EL device of the present invention is processed on the light extraction side of the substrate so as to provide, for example, a microlens array structure, or combined with a so-called condensing sheet, for example, with respect to a specific direction, for example, the device light emitting surface. By condensing in the front direction, the luminance in a specific direction can be increased.

  As an example of the microlens array, quadrangular pyramids having a side of 30 μm and an apex angle of 90 degrees are two-dimensionally arranged on the light extraction side of the substrate. One side is preferably 10 to 100 μm. If it becomes smaller than this, the effect of diffraction will generate | occur | produce and color, and if too large, thickness will become thick and is not preferable.

  As the condensing sheet, for example, a sheet that is put into practical use in an LED backlight of a liquid crystal display device can be used. As such a sheet, for example, a brightness enhancement film (BEF) manufactured by Sumitomo 3M Limited can be used. As the shape of the prism sheet, for example, the base material may be formed by forming a △ -shaped stripe having a vertex angle of 90 degrees and a pitch of 50 μm, or the vertex angle is rounded and the pitch is changed randomly. Other shapes may be used.

  Moreover, in order to control the light emission angle from a light emitting element, you may use together a light diffusing plate and a film with a condensing sheet. For example, a diffusion film (light-up) manufactured by Kimoto Co., Ltd. can be used.

<< Method for producing organic EL element >>
As an example of the method for producing the organic EL device of the present invention, a method for producing an organic EL device comprising an anode / hole injection layer / hole transport layer / light emitting layer / electron transport layer / electron injection layer / cathode will be described.

  First, a desired electrode material, for example, a thin film made of an anode material is formed on a suitable substrate by a method such as vapor deposition or sputtering so as to have a film thickness of 1 μm or less, preferably 10 to 200 nm, thereby producing an anode.

  Next, an organic compound thin film of a hole injection layer, a hole transport layer, a light emitting layer, an electron transport layer, an electron injection layer, and a hole blocking layer, which are organic EL element materials, is formed thereon.

  As a method for forming each of these layers, there are a vapor deposition method, a wet process (spin coating method, casting method, ink jet method, printing method), etc. as described above. In view of the above, in the present invention, film formation by a wet process (coating method) such as a spin coating method, an ink jet method, or a printing method is preferable.

  Examples of the liquid medium for dissolving or dispersing the organic EL material according to the present invention include ketones such as methyl ethyl ketone and cyclohexanone, fatty acid esters such as ethyl acetate, halogenated hydrocarbons such as dichlorobenzene, toluene, xylene, and mesitylene. Aromatic hydrocarbons such as cyclohexylbenzene, aliphatic hydrocarbons such as cyclohexane, decalin, and dodecane, and organic solvents such as DMF and DMSO can be used. Moreover, as a dispersion method, it can disperse | distribute by dispersion methods, such as an ultrasonic wave, high shear force dispersion | distribution, and media dispersion | distribution.

  After these layers are formed, a thin film made of a cathode material is formed thereon by a method such as vapor deposition or sputtering so as to have a thickness of 1 μm or less, preferably in the range of 50 to 200 nm. By providing, a desired organic EL element can be obtained.

  In addition, it is also possible to reverse the production order and produce the cathode, the electron injection layer, the electron transport layer, the light emitting layer, the hole transport layer, the hole injection layer, and the anode in this order. When a DC voltage is applied to the multicolor display device thus obtained, light emission can be observed by applying a voltage of about 2 to 40 V with the positive polarity of the anode and the negative polarity of the cathode. An alternating voltage may be applied. The alternating current waveform to be applied may be arbitrary.

<Application>
The organic EL element of the present invention can be used as a display device, a display, and various light sources. For example, lighting devices (home lighting, interior lighting), clock and liquid crystal backlights, billboard advertisements, traffic lights, light sources of optical storage media, light sources of electrophotographic copying machines, light sources of optical communication processors, light Although the light source of a sensor etc. are mentioned, It is not limited to this, Especially, it can use effectively for the use as a backlight of a liquid crystal display device, and a light source for illumination.

  In the organic EL device of the present invention, patterning may be performed by a metal mask, an ink jet printing method, or the like at the time of film formation, if necessary. In the case of patterning, only the electrode may be patterned, the electrode and the light emitting layer may be patterned, or the entire layer of the element may be patterned. In the fabrication of the element, a conventionally known method is used. Can do.

  The light emission color of the organic EL device of the present invention and the compound according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 4.16 on page 108 of “New Color Science Handbook” (edited by the Japan Color Society, University of Tokyo Press, 1985). It is determined by the color when the result measured with the total CS-1000 (manufactured by Konica Minolta Sensing) is applied to the CIE chromaticity coordinates.

When the organic EL element of the present invention is a white element, white means that the chromaticity in the CIE1931 color system at 1000 cd / m ² is X when the 2 ° viewing angle front luminance is measured by the above method. = 0.33 ± 0.07 and Y = 0.33 ± 0.1.

  EXAMPLES Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In addition, although the display of "%" is used in an Example, unless otherwise indicated, "mass%" is represented.

Example 1
<< Production of Organic EL Element 1-1 >>
After patterning on a substrate (NA-45 manufactured by NH Techno Glass Co., Ltd.) formed by depositing 100 nm of ITO (indium tin oxide) on a 100 mm × 100 mm × 1.1 mm glass substrate as an anode, this ITO transparent electrode was provided. The transparent support substrate was ultrasonically cleaned with isopropyl alcohol, dried with dry nitrogen gas, and subjected to UV ozone cleaning for 5 minutes.

  On this transparent support substrate, a solution obtained by diluting poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) -polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT / PSS, Bayer, Baytron P Al 4083) to 70% with pure water at 3000 rpm for 30 seconds. After the film formation by spin coating, the film was dried at 200 ° C. for 1 hour to provide a first hole transport layer having a thickness of 30 nm.

  This substrate was transferred to a nitrogen atmosphere, and a solution of 50 mg of compound A dissolved in 10 ml of toluene was formed on the first hole transport layer by spin coating at 1000 rpm for 30 seconds. After irradiating with ultraviolet light for 180 seconds to carry out photopolymerization / crosslinking, vacuum drying was performed at 60 ° C. for 1 hour to form a second hole transport layer.

  Next, a solution obtained by dissolving H-1 (60 mg) and D-1 (12.0 mg) in 6 ml of toluene was formed into a film by a spin coating method at 1000 rpm for 30 seconds.

Subsequently, this substrate was fixed to a substrate holder of a vacuum deposition apparatus, 200 mg of BAlq was put into a molybdenum resistance heating boat, and attached to the vacuum deposition apparatus. After reducing the vacuum chamber to 4 × 10 ⁻⁴ Pa, the heating boat containing BAlq is energized and heated, and deposited on the electron transport layer at a deposition rate of 0.1 nm / sec. A 40 nm electron transport layer was provided. In addition, the substrate temperature at the time of vapor deposition was room temperature.

  Then, 0.5 nm of lithium fluoride and 110 nm of aluminum were vapor-deposited, the cathode was formed, and the white light emitting organic EL element 1-1 was produced.

<< Production of Organic EL Elements 1-2 to 1-19 >>
In the production of the organic EL element 1-1, except that the dopant compound D-1 and the host compound H-1 in the light emitting layer were replaced with the compounds shown in Table 1, the organic EL elements 1-2 to 1-19 were changed. Produced.

<< Evaluation of organic EL elements >>
When evaluating the obtained organic EL element, the non-light emitting surface of each organic EL element after production was covered with a glass case, a glass substrate having a thickness of 300 μm was used as a sealing substrate, and an epoxy-based light was used as a sealant around the periphery. A curable adhesive (Lux Track LC0629B manufactured by Toagosei Co., Ltd.) is applied, and this is overlaid on the cathode and brought into close contact with the transparent support substrate. UV light is irradiated from the glass substrate side to cure and seal Then, an illumination device as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 was formed and evaluated.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the lighting device, and the organic EL element 101 is covered with a glass cover 102 (in addition, the sealing operation with the glass cover is performed in a nitrogen atmosphere without bringing the organic EL element 101 into contact with the atmosphere. (In a high purity nitrogen gas atmosphere with a purity of 99.999% or more).

  4 shows a cross-sectional view of the lighting device. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 105 denotes a cathode, 106 denotes an organic EL layer, and 107 denotes a glass substrate with a transparent electrode. The glass cover 102 is filled with nitrogen gas 108 and a water catching agent 109 is provided.

(External quantum efficiency)
By lighting the organic EL element under a constant current condition of room temperature (about 23 to 25 ° C.) and ^2.5 mA / cm ² , and measuring the emission luminance (L) [cd / m ² ] immediately after the start of lighting, The external extraction quantum efficiency (η) was calculated. Here, CS-1000 (manufactured by Konica Minolta Sensing) was used for measurement of light emission luminance. The external extraction quantum efficiency was expressed as a relative value with the organic EL element 1-19 as 100.

(Drive voltage)
The drive voltage is a voltage when driven at ^2.5 mA / cm ² , and the difference from the drive voltage (V) of the comparative organic EL element 1-19 was determined.

Drive voltage (V) = Drive voltage (V) of organic EL element 1-19−Drive voltage (V) of organic EL element of the present invention
The evaluation results are shown in Table 1.

  From Table 1, it is clear that the organic EL device of the present invention can achieve high luminous efficiency and low driving voltage compared to the comparative organic EL device.

Example 2
<< Preparation of Organic EL Element 2-1 >>
After patterning on a substrate (NA-45 manufactured by NH Techno Glass Co., Ltd.) formed by depositing 100 nm of ITO (indium tin oxide) on a 100 mm × 100 mm × 1.1 mm glass substrate as an anode, this ITO transparent electrode was provided. The transparent support substrate was ultrasonically cleaned with isopropyl alcohol, dried with dry nitrogen gas, and subjected to UV ozone cleaning for 5 minutes.

  On this transparent support substrate, a solution obtained by diluting poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) -polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT / PSS, Bayer, Baytron P Al 4083) to 70% with pure water at 3000 rpm for 30 seconds. After the film formation by spin coating, the film was dried at 200 ° C. for 1 hour to provide a first hole transport layer having a thickness of 30 nm.

  This substrate was transferred to a nitrogen atmosphere, and a solution of 50 mg of compound A dissolved in 10 ml of toluene was formed on the first hole transport layer by spin coating at 1000 rpm for 30 seconds. After irradiating with ultraviolet light for 180 seconds to carry out photopolymerization / crosslinking, vacuum drying was performed at 60 ° C. for 1 hour to form a second hole transport layer.

  Next, a solution obtained by dissolving Compound B (60 mg) and D-1 (12.0 mg) in 6 ml of toluene was formed into a film by spin coating under conditions of 1000 rpm and 30 seconds. Irradiated with ultraviolet light for 15 seconds to cause photopolymerization / crosslinking, and further heated in vacuum at 150 ° C. for 1 hour to obtain a light emitting layer.

  Further, a solution of compound C (20 mg) dissolved in 6 ml of toluene was formed into a film by spin coating under conditions of 1000 rpm and 30 seconds. Ultraviolet light was irradiated for 15 seconds, photopolymerization / crosslinking was performed, and further heating was performed in vacuum at 80 ° C. for 1 hour to form a hole blocking layer.

Subsequently, this substrate was fixed to a substrate holder of a vacuum deposition apparatus, 200 mg of Alq ₃ was placed in a molybdenum resistance heating boat, and attached to the vacuum deposition apparatus. After reducing the vacuum chamber to 4 × 10 ⁻⁴ Pa, the heating boat containing Alq ₃ is heated by heating, evaporated onto the electron transport layer at a deposition rate of 0.1 nm / second, and further coated with a film. An electron transport layer having a thickness of 40 nm was provided. In addition, the substrate temperature at the time of vapor deposition was room temperature.

  Then, 0.5 nm of lithium fluoride and 110 nm of aluminum were vapor-deposited, the cathode was formed, and the white light emitting organic EL element 2-1 was produced.

<< Production of Organic EL Elements 2-2 to 2-13 >>
In the production of the organic EL element 2-1, the organic EL elements 2-2 to 2-13 were similarly prepared except that the dopant compound D-1 and the host compound H-1 in the light emitting layer were replaced with the compounds shown in Table 2. Produced.

<< Evaluation of organic EL elements >>
The obtained organic EL device was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1. The external extraction quantum efficiency was expressed as a relative value with the organic EL element 2-13 as 100, and the driving voltage was determined as a difference from the driving voltage (V) of the organic EL element 2-13.

  The evaluation results are shown in Table 2.

  From Table 2, it is clear that the organic EL device of the present invention can achieve high luminous efficiency and low driving voltage as compared with the comparative organic EL device.

Example 3
<< Preparation of white light emitting element and white lighting device >>
After patterning on a substrate (NA-45 manufactured by NH Techno Glass Co., Ltd.) formed by depositing 100 nm of ITO (indium tin oxide) on a 100 mm × 100 mm × 1.1 mm glass substrate as an anode, this ITO transparent electrode was provided. The transparent support substrate was ultrasonically cleaned with isopropyl alcohol, dried with dry nitrogen gas, and subjected to UV ozone cleaning for 5 minutes.

  On this transparent support substrate, a solution obtained by diluting poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) -polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT / PSS, Bayer, Baytron P Al 4083) to 70% with pure water at 3000 rpm for 30 seconds. After the film formation by spin coating, the film was dried at 200 ° C. for 1 hour to provide a first hole transport layer having a thickness of 30 nm.

  This substrate was transferred to a nitrogen atmosphere, and a solution of 50 mg of compound A dissolved in 10 ml of toluene was formed on the first hole transport layer by spin coating at 1000 rpm for 30 seconds. After irradiating with ultraviolet light for 180 seconds to carry out photopolymerization / crosslinking, vacuum drying was performed at 60 ° C. for 1 hour to form a second hole transport layer.

  Next, using a solution obtained by dissolving Compound B (60 mg), Ir-9 (3.0 mg), and D-5 (3.0 mg) in 6 ml of toluene, a film is formed by spin coating under conditions of 1000 rpm and 30 seconds. did. Irradiated with ultraviolet light for 15 seconds to cause photopolymerization / crosslinking, and further heated in vacuum at 150 ° C. for 1 hour to obtain a light emitting layer.

  Further, a solution of compound C (20 mg) dissolved in 6 ml of toluene was formed into a film by spin coating under conditions of 1000 rpm and 30 seconds. Ultraviolet light was irradiated for 15 seconds, photopolymerization / crosslinking was performed, and further heating was performed in vacuum at 80 ° C. for 1 hour to form a hole blocking layer.

Subsequently, this substrate was fixed to a substrate holder of a vacuum deposition apparatus, 200 mg of Alq ₃ was placed in a molybdenum resistance heating boat, and attached to the vacuum deposition apparatus. After reducing the vacuum chamber to 4 × 10 ⁻⁴ Pa, the heating boat containing Alq ₃ is heated by heating, evaporated onto the electron transport layer at a deposition rate of 0.1 nm / second, and further coated with a film. An electron transport layer having a thickness of 40 nm was provided. In addition, the substrate temperature at the time of vapor deposition was room temperature.

  Then, 0.5 nm of lithium fluoride and 110 nm of aluminum were vapor-deposited, the cathode was formed, and the white light emitting organic EL element was produced.

  When this element was energized, almost white light was obtained, and it was found that it could be used as a lighting device.

Claims (6)

The organic electroluminescent device material characterized by being represented by the following general formula (2a) is Rukin metal complex.
(In the formula, X ₁ represents a carbon atom, X ₂ represents a carbon atom or a nitrogen atom, A 1 represents an atomic group forming a benzene ring together with X ₁ and the carbon atom, and A 2 represents an imidazole together with X ₂ and the nitrogen atom. Represents a group of atoms forming a ring, a pyrazole ring, a pyridine ring or an isoquinoline ring, Ar ₁ represents a divalent group derived from an aromatic ring or an aromatic heterocyclic ring , and at least one of Ar ₁ represents dibenzofuryl Represents a ren group, H ₁ represents a carrier transport unit comprising a carbazolyl group, n 1 represents an integer of 1 to 10, and M represents iridium. The organic electroluminescence element material according to claim 1, wherein the first emission wavelength is in a range of 400 to 500 nm. The organic electroluminescent device characterized by containing the organic electroluminescence device material according to claim 1 or 2. The organic electroluminescent device wherein an organic layer containing the organic electroluminescence device material according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is formed by a wet process. Display apparatus comprising the organic electroluminescence device according to claim 3 or 4. Lighting apparatus comprising the organic electroluminescence device according to claim 3 or 4.