Method of processing quantum dot inks
View Patent ↗A method of storing and transporting quantum dot formulations is provided. The method includes storing and/or transporting the quantum dot formulation under an oxygen-containing atmosphere. A sparged and degassed quantum dot formulation is also described.
1. A method of processing a quantum dot formulation including oxygen comprising:
providing in a reaction vessel the quantum dot formulation; where the quantum dot formulation comprises quantum dots and a liquid formulation; and the liquid formulation comprises an unpolymerized polymerizable component and an inhibitor compound, which requires oxygen to inhibit polymerization;
displacing the oxygen with an inert gas by sparging the quantum dot formulation with the inert gas; and
degassing the quantum dot formulation in the reaction vessel.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the inert gas is introduced into the quantum dot formulation to the extent sufficient to remove substantially all oxygen from the quantum dot formulation.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the processed quantum dot formulation includes substantially no oxygen.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the inert gas is nitrogen, helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon or radon.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the quantum dot formulation is degassed to the extent sufficient to remove substantially all gas from the quantum dot formulation.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the degassed quantum dot formulation includes substantially no gas.
7. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of introducing the processed quantum dot formulation into a tube where the quantum dot formulation further comprises an unpolymerized polymerizable component.
8. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of introducing the processed quantum dot formulation into a vessel.
9. The method of claim 7 wherein the tube is a capillary.
10. The method of claim 7 wherein the tube is hermetically sealed and wherein oxygen is absent or substantially absent from within the tube.
11. The method of claim 8 wherein the vessel is hermetically sealed and wherein oxygen is absent or substantially absent from within the vessel.
12. The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of polymerizing the quantum dot formulation within the tube.
13. A method of processing a quantum dot formulation including dissolved oxygen comprising:
introducing an inert gas into the quantum dot formulation for a time period sufficient to remove substantially all oxygen from the quantum dot formulation; where the quantum dot formulation is contained in a reaction vessel, and the quantum dot formulation comprises an unpolymerized polymerizable component and an inhibitor compound, which requires oxygen to inhibit polymerization;
subjecting the quantum dot formulation to vacuum while under agitation; and
degassing the quantum dot formulation to remove substantially all dissolved gas from the quantum dot formulation in the reaction vessel.