Complimentary polymer electrochromic device
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Publication Number
US-9274395-B2
Publication Date
2016-03-01
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 complimentary electrochromic device that includes a first electrode having a cathodically coloring conducting polymeric material and a second electrode having an anodically coloring conducting polymeric material, separated by an electrolyte in electrochemical communication with both electrodes. The cathodically coloring conducting polymeric material comprises a substituted or unsubstituted 2,2-dibenzyl-3,4-propylenedioxythiophene monomer, while the anodically coloring conducting polymeric material is a poly(aromatic amine).
The key requirement is electrochemical matching: the redox potential of the cathodically coloring conducting polymeric material is substantially matched to the redox potential of the anodically coloring conducting polymeric material such that when one polymeric material is fully oxidized, the other polymeric material is fully reduced. This establishes a complementary oxidation/reduction relationship between the cathodically and anodically coloring polymers within the same electrochromic device.
The described embodiments also specify device construction elements for providing the complimentary electrochromic device, including forming electrodes by depositing the respective cathodically and anodically coloring conducting polymeric materials on transparent conductive substrates, superimposing the electrodes with a space between them, and placing an electrolyte in the space so that it is in electrochemical communication with both electrodes. The document further describes additional constraints and refinements for the substituted 2,2-dibenzyl-3,4-propylenedioxythiophene derivatives and for selected anodic poly(aromatic amine) monomer selections.
Claims Coverage
The document includes two independent claims: one directed to a complimentary electrochromic device and one directed to a method for obtaining a complimentary electrochromic device. The independent claim coverage centers on a cathodically coloring polymeric material based on substituted or unsubstituted 2,2-dibenzyl-3,4-propylenedioxythiophene, an anodically coloring conducting polymeric material, and substantially matched redox potentials so that full oxidation of one corresponds to full reduction of the other.
Complimentary electrochromic device with matched full oxidation/reduction redox potentials
A first electrode comprising a cathodically coloring conducting polymeric material including a substituted or unsubstituted 2,2-dibenzyl-3,4-propylenedioxythiophene monomer, a second electrode comprising an anodically coloring conducting polymeric material, and an electrolyte disposed between and in electrochemical communication with the first and second electrodes, wherein the redox potential of the cathodically coloring conducting polymeric material is substantially matched to the redox potential of the anodically coloring conducting polymeric material such that when one polymeric material is fully oxidized, the other polymeric material is fully reduced.
Method for obtaining a complimentary electrochromic device with matched full oxidation/reduction redox potentials
Preparing a first electrode by depositing a cathodically coloring conducting polymeric material on a first transparent conductive substrate, preparing a second electrode by depositing an anodically coloring conductive polymeric material on a second transparent conductive substrate, superimposing the first and second electrodes and providing a space between them, placing an electrolyte in the space between the first and second electrodes to provide the electrochromic device with electrolyte electrochemical communication with the first and second electrodes, wherein the redox potential of the cathodically coloring conducting polymeric material is substantially matched to the redox potential of the anodically coloring conducting polymeric material such that when one polymeric material is fully oxidized, the other polymeric material is fully reduced.
Across both independent claims, the inventive concept is the complimentary pairing of a cathodically coloring 2,2-dibenzyl-3,4-propylenedioxythiophene-based conducting polymer with an anodically coloring conducting polymeric material using an electrolyte, where substantially matched redox potentials enforce a full oxidation/full reduction correspondence between the two polymers.
Stated Advantages
Improves reversibility, switching speed, contrast, and cyclability by electrochemical matching of redox potentials between the cathodically and anodically coloring polymers.
Mitigates prior-art mismatch, electron-count issues, and poor counter-reaction issues associated with redox potential and electrochemical compatibility.
Documented Applications
Complimentary/dual-polymer electrochromic device embodiments using transparent conductive substrates and electrolytes to realize cathodic and anodic electrochromic operation with matched redox potentials.
Device/composition support embodiments including electrode substrate stacks (transparent conductive substrates) and electrolyte forms (gel/solid/liquid) with electrolyte containment.
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