Transparent conductive articles and methods of making same

Abstract

A lightweight, flexible, plastic substrate used to construct displays, including flat panel displays, to package materials and for electro luminescence lamps is coated with at least one layer, such that the substrate has desired barrier and electrode characteristics. The display medium of the flat panel display is protected from oxygen and moisture in order to avoid degradation with the coating. The layer with barrier and electrode characteristics has both a low enough resistance to function as an electrode for the display, and low oxygen and moisture permeability. For lower permeability and / or higher conductivity, multiple alternating layers of barrier materials and conductive materials are applied. The barrier material includes at least one of a thin metallic film, an organic polymer, a thin transparent dielectric, a thin transparent metal nitride, and a thin transparent conductive oxide. The conductive material includes at least one of a thin transparent conductive oxide, a thin transparent metallic film, and a thin transparent metal nitride. Preferably there is a Polymer Multi Layer (PML) processed base coat deposited over the substrate. The base coat produces substrate smoothing, and more importantly, in combination with another layer, the base coat improves vapor barrier properties. In the preferred embodiment, a PML processed top coat barrier layer is deposited before the coating contacts a surface, such as a roller. The PML processed top coat also excludes moisture (water vapor) and atmospheric gases that chemically degrade the device performance.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 317623, which is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 939008, filed Aug. 24, 2001, which is a Divisional Application of U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 419870, filed Oct. 18, 1999, now abandoned, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 106871, filed Nov. 2, 1998, all of which are incorporated by reference, including the original specification, first substitute specification, second substitute specification, and all attached Appendices of U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 419870.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates to composite substrates for flat panel displays (FPD), packaging materials and light sources (electro luminescence lamps) comprising a plastic substrate having thin film barrier and conductive layers,in particular, multiple thin alternating layers of metallic film, transparent conductive oxide (TCO), meta...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The solution provides a lightweight, flexible, and durable flat panel display with improved optical, electrical, and mechanical performance, reducing moisture and oxygen permeability, and extending the device's lifespan.

Problems solved by technology

In particular, the layer has both low oxygen and water vapor permeability, and a low enough resistivity to function as an electrode for the display.

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