Photochromic articles containing a polyoxometalate and methods of making and using same

• US 10,711,182 B2
• Filed: 06/23/2016
• Issued: 07/14/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Miller, Adam D., Isaacson, Daniel E., Chien, Bert T., Kolb, William B., Frey, Matthew H., Du, Guanglei
• Primary Examiner(s): Golden, Chinessa T.
• Application Number:
  US15/741,525
• Publication Number:
  US 20180194994A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,482 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: C09B 57/10 Metal complexes of organic compounds not being dyes in uncomplexed form
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 2211/10 Non-macromolecular compounds
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 2211/183 of the refractory metals, i.e. Ti, V, Cr, Zr, Nb, Mo, Hf, Ta or W
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 9/00 Tenebrescent materials, i.e. materials for which the range of wavelengths for energy absorption is changed as a result of excitation by some form of energy
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 9/02 Organic tenebrescent materials
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/23 Photochromic filters

Abstract

A photochromic article is provided, containing a structural component, a fluid in contact with the structural component, and a polyoxometalate complex in contact with the fluid. The polyoxometalate complex includes a counter cation complexed with either a polyoxometalate anion or a polyoxometalate derivative anion. The structural component includes a porous material, a plurality of cavities, or both. The article is photochromic. A method of changing a light transmission of a photochromic article is provided, as is a method of changing a light reflectance of a photochromic article. A method of forming a photochromic article is also provided.

Claims

1. A photochromic article comprising:

a structural component, wherein the structural component comprises a porous material, a plurality of cavities, or a combination thereof;

a fluid in contact with the structural component; and

a polyoxometalate complex comprising a counter cation complexed with either a polyoxometalate anion or a polyoxometalate derivative anion, wherein the polyoxometalate complex is in contact with the fluid, wherein at least a portion of the polyoxometalate complex is dissolved or dispersed in the fluid, and wherein the article is photochromic.

2. The photochromic article of claim 1, wherein the article exhibits a difference in transmission of at least 2% after exposure to light wavelengths of 300 nm to 400 nm for a time of at least 2 minutes.

3. The photochromic article of claim 1, wherein the photochromic article comprises a light transmission of at least 5%.

4. The photochromic article of claim 1, wherein the photochromic article comprises a haze of up to 5%.

5. The photochromic article of claim 1, wherein the structural component comprises a porous polymeric material.

6. The photochromic article of claim 1, wherein the structural component comprises a plurality of interior cavities, wherein the fluid at least partially fills at least a portion of the interior cavities.

7. The photochromic article of claim 1, further comprising an oxygen-permeable material disposed on the structural component.

8. The photochromic article of claim 1, wherein the fluid comprises a solvent having a boiling point of 150 degrees Celsius or higher, a polyalkylene oxide, a gel, an ionic liquid, a plasticizer, or a combination thereof.

9. A reflective photochromic article comprising:

a structural component, wherein the structural component comprises a porous material, a plurality of cavities, or a combination thereof;

a fluid in contact with the structural component; and

a polyoxometalate complex comprising a counter cation complexed with either a polyoxometalate anion or a polyoxometalate derivative anion, wherein the polyoxometalate complex is in contact with the fluid, wherein at least a portion of the polyoxometalate complex is dissolved or dispersed in the fluid, wherein the article is photochromic, and wherein the article has a light transmission of less than 2%.

10. The reflective photochromic article of claim 9, further comprising a reflective layer comprising a diffusive reflective layer.

11. A method of forming a photochromic article comprising:

distributing a polyoxometalate complex in a fluid, the polyoxometalate complex comprising a counter cation complexed with either a polyoxometalate anion or a polyoxometalate derivative anion; and

placing the fluid in contact with a structural component, wherein the structural component comprises a porous material, a plurality of cavities, or a combination thereof,

wherein the article is photochromic and wherein at least a portion of the polyoxometalate complex is dissolved or dispersed in the fluid.

12. A method of changing a light transmission of a photochromic article comprising:

providing a photochromic article comprising;

a structural component, wherein the structural component comprises a porous material, a plurality of cavities, or a combination thereof;

a fluid in contact with the structural component; and

a polyoxometalate complex comprising a counter cation complexed with either a polyoxometalate anion or a polyoxometalate derivative anion, wherein the polyoxometalate complex is in contact with the fluid, wherein at least a portion of the polyoxometalate complex is dissolved or dispersed in the fluid; and

exposing the photochromic article to light wavelengths of 300 nm to 400 nm for a time of at least 2 minutes such that the article exhibits a difference in transmission of at least 1%, or at least 2%, or at least 5%.

13. A method of changing a light reflection of a photochromic article comprising:

providing a photochromic article comprising;

a structural component, wherein the structural component comprises a porous material, a plurality of cavities, or a combination thereof;

a fluid in contact with the structural component; and

a polyoxometalate complex comprising a counter cation complexed with either a polyoxometalate anion or a polyoxometalate derivative anion, wherein the polyoxometalate complex is in contact with the fluid, wherein at least a portion of the polyoxometalate complex is dissolved or dispersed in the fluid; and

exposing the photochromic article to light wavelengths of 300 nm to 400 nm for a time of at least 2 minutes such that a reflection of the article exhibits a difference in reflectance of at least 2%, or at least 5%.