Complimentary polymer electrochromic device
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Publication Number
US-10197881-B2
Publication Date
2019-02-05
Expiration Date
Abstract
A complimentary polymer or “dual-polymer” electrochromic device and methods of preparing the same are provided.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a dual-polymer electrochromic device that uses a cathodically coloring electrode and an anodically coloring electrode in electrochemical communication with an electrolyte. The cathodically coloring electrode comprises a copolymer containing 2,2-dibenzyl-3,4-propylenedioxythiophene in combination with 2,2-bis(4-chlorobenzyl)-3,4-propylenedioxythiophene and 2,2-bis(4-bromobenzyl)-3,4-propylenedioxythiophene. The anodically coloring electrode comprises a copolymer of N,N′-diphenylbenzidine, diphenyl amine, and 4-aminobiphenyl.
A core aspect is electrochemical matching of the redox behavior of the complimentary/dual-polymer system, where a fully oxidized cathodic corresponds to a fully reduced anodic. This electrochemical matching is used to address limitations of prior dual-polymer systems by improving device performance through better synchronization of the cathodic and anodic switching states. The matched redox relationship is described as enabling faster switching and improved light/dark contrast.
The document further characterizes the device architecture by placing an electrolyte disposed between and in electrochemical communication with the cathodically coloring electrode and anodically coloring electrode. The electrolyte is described in forms including liquid, gel, and solid, and device structure concepts include transparent conductive substrates on electrodes. The disclosure reports performance and lifetime comparisons using visible-to-near-IR response, switching time, cyclability such as over 2000 cycles, and stability over an extended period, together with reduced degradation relative to prior systems.
Claims Coverage
The document contains one independent claim (clm-00001). It defines the dual-polymer electrochromic device by requiring a specific cathodically coloring copolymer electrode, a specific anodically coloring copolymer electrode, and an electrolyte disposed between and in electrochemical communication with both electrodes. Dependent claims (clm-00002 to clm-00006) further refine the device by adding conductive transparent substrate features for one or both electrodes and by specifying electrolyte physical form options.
Copolymer-defined cathodically coloring electrode
A cathodically coloring electrode comprising a copolymer of 2,2-dibenzyl-3,4-propylenedioxythiophene, 2,2-bis(4-chlorobenzyl)-3,4-propylenedioxythiophene, and 2,2-bis(4-bromobenzyl)-3,4-propylenedioxythiophene.
Copolymer-defined anodically coloring electrode
An anodically coloring electrode comprising a copolymer of N,N′-diphenylbenzidine, diphenyl amine, and 4-aminobiphenyl.
Electrolyte disposed between and in electrochemical communication
An electrolyte disposed between and in electrochemical communication with the cathodically coloring electrode and anodically coloring electrode.
Conductive transparent substrate for a cathodically coloring electrode
The dual-polymer electrochromic device wherein the cathodically coloring electrode includes a conductive transparent substrate.
Specified conductive transparent substrate material pairings for a cathodically coloring electrode
The dual-polymer electrochromic device wherein the conductive transparent substrate is a combination selected from ITO/glass, ITO/PET, tin-oxide/glass, tin-oxide/PET, gold/glass, carbon-nanotubes/glass, carbon-nanotubes/PET, and gold/PET (and combinations thereof).
Conductive transparent substrate for an anodically coloring electrode
The dual-polymer electrochromic device wherein the anodically coloring electrode includes a conductive transparent substrate.
Electrolyte physical form options
The dual-polymer electrochromic device wherein the electrolyte is a liquid electrolyte, solid electrolyte, gel electrolyte, or a combination thereof.
Across the independent claim and its dependent refinements, claim coverage focuses on a dual-polymer electrochromic device with copolymer-defined cathodically and anodically coloring electrodes paired through an interposed electrolyte in electrochemical communication, optionally implemented with conductive transparent substrates and with electrolyte physical forms including liquid, solid, and gel.
Stated Advantages
Improved device performance versus prior dual-polymer systems through electrochemical matching of redox potentials.
Faster switching.
Higher light/dark contrast (visible-to-near-IR).
Improved cyclability and reduced degradation.
Reduced degradation and improved stability over an extended period (as reported in the disclosure).
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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