Reversible electro-optic device employing aprotic molten salts and method

• US 20040227983A1
• Filed: 04/22/2004
• Published: 11/18/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Los Alamos National Security LLC (Government of the United States of America)
• Original Assignee: Los Alamos National Security LLC (Government of the United States of America)
• Inventors: Burrell, Anthony K., Warner, Benjamin P., McCleskey, T. Mark, Hall, Simon B.
• Granted Patent: US 7,317,106 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/265
• CPC Class Codes: C07D 295/023 Preparation; Separation; Stabilisation; Use of additives
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1506 caused by electrodeposition, e.g. electrolytic deposition of an inorganic material on or close to an electrode

Abstract

A single-compartment reversible mirror device having a solution of aprotic molten salt, at least one soluble metal-containing species comprising metal capable of being electrodeposited, and at least one anodic compound capable of being oxidized was prepared. The aprotic molten salt is liquid at room temperature and includes lithium and/or quaternary ammonium cations, and anions selected from trifluoromethylsulfonate (CF₃SO₃⁻), bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ((CF₃SO₂)₂N⁻), bis(perfluoroethylsulfonyl)imide ((CF₃CF₂SO₂)₂N⁻) and tris(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)methide ((CF₃SO₂)₃C⁻). A method for preparing substantially pure molten salts is also described.

Claims

1-19. -19. (cancelled)

20. A method for preparing a substantially pure aprotic molten salt, comprising generating impure aprotic molten salt from cation precursor and anion precursor and passing the impure molten salt through alumina or silica, whereby substantially pure molten salt is prepared.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein said impure molten salt is generated by preparing an aqueous mixture of cation precursor and decolorizing agent selected from the group consisting of charcoal and activated carbon, filtering the mixture, combining the filtrate with anion precursor to form an impure molten salt, and removing water from the impure molten salt.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein said aprotic molten salt is liquid at room temperature and comprises at least one cation selected from group consisting of lithium cation and quaternary ammonium cations, and at least one anion selected from the group consisting of trifluoromethylsulfonate (CF₃SO₃⁻

), bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ((CF₃SO₂)₂N⁻

), bis(perfluoroethylsulfonyl)imide ((CF₃CF₂SO₂)₂N⁻

) and tris(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)methide ((CF₃SO₂)₃C⁻

).

23. The method of claim 22, wherein said quaternary ammonium cations are selected from the group consisting of pyridinium, pyridazinium, pyrimidinium, pyrazinium, imidazolium, pyrazolium, thiazolium, oxazolium, triazolium, tetraalkylammonium, and N-methyl morpholinium cations.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein said quaternary ammonium cations comprise the formula [(CH₃CH₂)₃N(R₁)]⁺, wherein R₁ is alkyl having 2-10 carbons;

or comprise the formula [(CH₃)₂(CH₃CHCH₃)N(R₂)]⁺, wherein R₂ is alkyl having 2-10 carbons;

or comprise the structural formula

25. A compound comprising an anion selected from the group consisting of trifluoromethylsulfonate (CF₃SO₃⁻

), bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ((CF₃SO₂)₂N⁻

), bis(perfluoroethylsulfonyl)imide ((CF₃CF₂SO₂)₂N⁻

), and tris(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)methide ((CF₃SO₂)₃C⁻

) and a radical cation selected from the group consisting of radical cations of compounds comprising the structural formula

26. The compound of claim 25, wherein said radical cations are formed electrochemically.

27. The compound of claim 25, wherein said anion is bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ((CF₃SO₂)₂N⁻

).

28. The compound of claim 25, wherein said anion is bis(perfluoroethylsulfonyl)imide ((CF₃CF₂SO₂)₂N⁻

).