Thermal transfer element and process for forming organic electroluminescent devices

A method for patterning materials comprising the steps of:

• forming a donor element comprising a donor substrate and a multicomponent thermal transfer layer, the thermal transfer layer having at least a first layer comprising a solvent-coated material and a second layer comprising a solvent-susceptible material, the solvent-susceptible material being incompatible with the solvent used to coat the solvent-coated material, wherein the first layer is disposed between the second layer and the donor substrate;
• placing the thermal transfer layer proximate a receptor;
• and
• selectively thermally transferring the multicomponent transfer layer from the donor element to the receptor,
• wherein at least one of the solvent-coated material and the solvent-susceptible material comprises an organic electroluminescent material, an organic conductor, or an organic semiconductor.

A method for patterning materials comprising the steps of:

• thermally transferring selected portions of a first transfer layer from a first donor element to a receptor, the first transfer layer containing a first material, the first material being solution-coated from a solvent onto the first donor;
• and
• thermally transferring selected portions of a second transfer layer from a second donor element to the receptor, the second transfer layer containing a second material, the second material being incompatible with the solvent,
• wherein at least one of the first and second materials comprises an organic electroluminescent material, an organic conductor, or an organic semiconductor.