Sol–gel synthesized siloxane hybrid materials for display and optoelectronic applications

• Published in: Journal of sol-gel science and technology 2023-07, Vol.107 (1), p.32-45
• Main Authors: Kim, Yun Hyeok, Lee, Injun, Lee, Hyunhwan, Kang, Seung-Mo, Lee, Yung, Kim, Seungwan, Bae, Byeong-Soo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ceramics; Chemistry and Materials Science; Composites; Displays; Form factors; Functional groups; Glass; Hybrid Materials; Hybridization; Inorganic Chemistry; Materials Science; Nanotechnology; Natural Materials; Optical and Electronic Materials; Optoelectronics; Polymerization; Review Paper: Industrial and technological applications of sol-gel and hybrid materials; Siloxanes; Sol-gel processes; Thermal expansion; Thermal resistance
• ISSN: 0928-0707; 1573-4846
• DOI: 10.1007/s10971-021-05491-4

Recently, displays and optoelectronics have made remarkable development because they are the most frequently exposed applications to humanity. The pixel size has become smaller and a new form factor is needed for displays and optoelectronics beyond rigid ones. New material breakthroughs enabling new form factors with plastic-like flexibility, mechanical toughness as well as glass-like thermal/mechanical resistance and low thermal expansion are required. Sol–gel-derived siloxane hybrid material (Hybrimer), showing synergetic properties of organic and inorganic (O–I) materials, can be realized by chemical hybridization and dense O–I co-networks. In addition, the characteristics of hybrimer can be easily optimized via control of organic functional groups, sol–gel reaction, and polymerization steps. First, a sol–gel reaction and polymerization, which enables chemical hybridization of O–I groups, are introduced. Then, the various display and optoelectronic applications using hybrimer achieved by control of properties are provided: (i) patterning, (ii) passivation, (iii) glass-fabric reinforced film, and (iv) color conversion films. This paper includes a brief overview of fabrication process and applications using hybrimer developed over the past decades. Highlights Sol–gel-derived siloxane hybrid material (hybrimer) is composed of a chemical hybridization between organic and siloxane phase. Hybrimer can be simply fabricated using sol–gel reaction and polymerization. Properties of hybrimer can be easily tuned by controlling the organic groups and sol–gel reaction. Hybrimer can be applied to various display and optoelectronics.