NanoZeo Moisture Adsorbers

Introduction: NanoScape develops and manufactures porous, nanometre-sized, crystalline materials, known as NanoZeolites. These materials have very fast water adsorption (i.e. uptake) kinetics and large capacity, which make them well suited in the role of moisture or humidity adsorbers. In powder form, these NanoZeolites can be compounded directly into polymer matrices, which are used in injection moulding packaging. However, in order for these materials to more readily find application in the manufacturing of water-sensitive electronic devices or components, NanoScape has in addition to its powder-form additives, developed a series of polymer nanocomposites in the form of coating systems and adhesives. This enables device manufacturers to lay down water-adsorbing films directly onto glass, ceramic, aluminium or plastic substrates, or to use epoxy or acrylate adhesives with enhanced water barrier properties to seal their device packages. NanoScape materials are already in being trialled in the displays sector (for OLED devices), and it is intended to develop them for use in the MEMS and Photovoltaic sectors. The problem: Organic electronics or non-hermetically sealed electronic products such as OLEDs and non-silicon based photovoltaic cells (such as organic dye-sensitized and CIS/CIGS based cells) need protection from humidity. Moisture entering into the device through the packaging degrades the organic components and destroys the thin (highly reactive) metal electrodes and contacts. In various MEMS devices, particularly those involving moving mirrors or diaphragms (e.g. in projection devices), and cantilevers or rotors (e.g. gyroscopes), moisture present within the device can lead to stiction and a severe (or total) loss in performance. NanoScapes NanoZeo moisture-adsorber materials provide a solution to this problem. Description of Product: NanoScapes NanoZeo moisture-adsorbing products range is based on nanometre-sized crystalline material, made through wet chemical processes. These processes yield porous, aluminosilicate-type powders with particles in the range 100-300nm (see scanning electron micrograph below).

SEM picture of typical NanoZeolite crystals (particle size, ca. 100nm)

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NanoScape AG, Amtsgericht Mnchen, HRB 138095, Ust-IdNr (VAT IdNr): DE220207803 Aufsichtsratsvorsitzender: Dr. Stefan Reineck, Vorstand: Dr. Wayne Daniell Kontonummer: 2723336, Commerzbank Mnchen BLZ: 70040041

These nano-particles are highly hydrophilic (i.e. have a strong affinity for water), possess a very large surface area and a large water storage capacity. However, to make them more suitable for use in combination with organic matrices (such as injection moulding plastics; polymer coating formulations; adhesive resins) the surface of the particles is modified. This modification allows the particles to be readily dispersed within the organic matrix and prevents agglomeration, whilst still retaining the moisture adsorbing properties of the original particles. This means the resulting formulations contain small, non-aggregated particles and can, therefore, be printed or dispensed to make very thin water-adsorbing films.

The diagram above shows the beneficial effect of the surface modification. In formulation A, the individual particles agglomerate when dispersed into the organic matrix. This leads to a poor dispersion of the particles throughout the composite and effectively larger particles (agglomerates), which prevents printing of homogeneous thin coatings. Surface modification of the particles (formulation B) enables good dispersion, close control of the particles, and produces printable composites. To cater for the needs of different device manufacturers and their processes, and to fit the requirements of the actual devices, NanoScape can supply its moisture-adsorbing materials in a variety of forms. Additives: NanoZeo additives (for polymers) in crystalline, nanoscopic powder form, with hydrophilic (-A) or hydrophobic (-OD, -MOD) surface modifications Composites: ZeoCoat water-based, acrylate coating system (low viscosity) ZeoGel water-based, wholly inorganic gel (non-outgassing; no organics; temperature stable; tunable viscosity) ZeoGlue UV curing epoxy or acrylate based adhesive system (low viscosity; printable) ZeoPaste UV curing pre-activated adsorber paste (high viscosity; dispensible) NanoZeo additives can be delivered pre-activated, which can be incorporated directly into the desired polymer matrix. ZeoGlue and ZeoPaste are also delivered pre-activated, i.e. ready-to-use. ZeoCoat and ZeoGel, because of their aqueous solvent, need to be thermally activated before being applied, but have the advantage of easier handling (ambient conditions during application). Markets/Applications: NanoScapes NanoZeo moisture-adsorbing products are currently being assessed in OLED applications (see flyer attached to end of document). The state-of-the-art in OLED device packaging consists of so-called glass-can encapsulation; i.e. the light-emitting organic materials are deposited onto a glass substrate and a glass top-lid is applied. This glass package is sealed using a UV-curing adhesive. Embedded into a cavity etched into the top-glass is a metal oxide desiccant material, to 2
NanoScape AG, Amtsgericht Mnchen, HRB 138095, Ust-IdNr (VAT IdNr): DE220207803 Aufsichtsratsvorsitzender: Dr. Stefan Reineck, Vorstand: Dr. Wayne Daniell Kontonummer: 2723336, Commerzbank Mnchen BLZ: 70040041

absorb any moisture which penetrates the barrier seal. NanoZeo additives can be added to the edgesealing adhesive to improve its water-barrier properties. Alternately, ZeoGlue can be used. Inside the OLED device itself, ZeoGel or ZeoPaste can be employed to coat the entire top-glass, providing a moisture adsorbing thin film and negating the requirement for a cavity within the glass. The resulting OLEDs are thus thinner and cheaper. Furthermore, through application of these materials using printing techniques (e.g. ink-jet or screen printing), cost-savings can also be made in the production process. Using the lessons already learned in the Displays branch, NanoScape intends to develop its NanoZeo range for the Photovoltaic and MEMS markets. Organic photovoltaic cells suffer from the effects of moisture in a very similar fashion to OLED devices, whereas semiconductor-based PV cells (e.g. CIS) are also not immune from the corrosive effects of water on thin metal layers. Maintaining a high performance over a long period of time is essential for these products. Within the MEMS market, products and applications are being sought which suffer either through the chemical (corrosion) or physical (stiction) effects of moisture penetrating through the device package. Unique selling propositions: The essential features of NanoZeo adsorbers are their rapid moisture adsorption kinetics and large capacity, which are ideal for highly water-sensitive devices (such as OLEDs), and enable a long device lifetime (PVs). In terms of their application, the small particle size of the NanoZeo material coupled with their printability, allows very thin films to be applied via a variety of low-cost techniques (e.g. dispensing, ink-jet printing, screen printing etc.). Size matters!

Using NanoZeo additives or composite formulations (B in the figure above) enables a manufacturer to print thin water-adsorbing coatings onto a substrate. The thickness (1) of the coating (down to 1 micron) can be considerably smaller than when using traditional desiccant materials (A) with typical particle size 10-100 microns. These larger particles can also have a detrimental effect on the barrier properties of a coating. If these particles actually peek through the polymer matrix, they can form a highway for the rapid transport of moisture through the barrier coating straight into the substrate. The surface modification of NanoZeo particles also allows a more homogeneous dispersion within the coating. This leads to a better water-adsorption performance and a reduction of the area (2) which is left exposed and in which there is no adsorber particle present.

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NanoScape AG, Amtsgericht Mnchen, HRB 138095, Ust-IdNr (VAT IdNr): DE220207803 Aufsichtsratsvorsitzender: Dr. Stefan Reineck, Vorstand: Dr. Wayne Daniell Kontonummer: 2723336, Commerzbank Mnchen BLZ: 70040041

Coming soon future developments: NanoScape plans on further developing its NanoZeo portfolio to encompass optically transparent water-adsorbing coatings, and also oxygen-adsorbing materials to work in unison with the moisture adsorbers. Appendix: NanoZeo Moisture Adsorbers for application in OLED devices

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NanoScape AG, Amtsgericht Mnchen, HRB 138095, Ust-IdNr (VAT IdNr): DE220207803 Aufsichtsratsvorsitzender: Dr. Stefan Reineck, Vorstand: Dr. Wayne Daniell Kontonummer: 2723336, Commerzbank Mnchen BLZ: 70040041