Electrochromic material and lubricant

• US 4,669,830 A
• Filed: 09/30/1985
• Issued: 06/02/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/1983
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Daicel Chemical Industries Limited (Daicel Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Daicel Chemical Industries Limited (Daicel Corporation)
• Inventors: Hottori, Makoto, Yamanaka, Shoji
• Primary Examiner(s): Doll, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): Langel, Wayne A.
• Application Number:
  US06/782,247
• Time in Patent Office: 610 Days
• Field of Search: 350/357
• US Class Current: 359/267
• 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: C10M 103/06 Metal compounds
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 125/20 Compounds containing nitrogen
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 2201/00 Inorganic compounds or elements as ingredients in lubricant compositions
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 2201/061 Carbides; Hydrides; Nitrides
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 2201/16 Carbon dioxide
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 2201/18 Ammonia
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2040/00 Specified use or application for which the lubricating composition is intended
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2040/06 Instruments or other precision apparatus, e.g. damping fluids
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2040/30 Refrigerators lubricants or compressors lubricants
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2040/32 Wires, ropes or cables lubricants
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2040/34 Lubricating-sealants
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2040/36 Release agents or mold release agents
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2040/38 Conveyors or chain belts
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2040/40 Generators or electric motors in oil or gas winning field
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2040/42 Flashing oils or marking oils
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2040/44 Super vacuum or supercritical use
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2040/50 Medical uses
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1524 Transition metal compounds

Abstract

A layered compound of beta-ZrNX in which X is chlorine, bromine or a solid solution of chlorine and bromine is useful as a lubricant or an electrochromic display member.

Claims

1. An electrochromic display member comprising:

a transparent, electroconductive electrode having a surface;

a thin electrochromic layer on said electrode surface, said electrochromic layer consisting essentially of a layered compound of beta-ZrNX, wherein X is chlorine, bromine or a solid solution of chlorine and bromine;

a layer of liquid electrolyte contacting the surface of said electrochromic layer remote from said electrode surface, said liquid electrolyte containing lithium ions therein, and an electroconductive counterelectrode contacting said electrolyte layer and spaced from said electrochromic layer.

2. An electrochromic display member as claimed in claim 1 in which said transparent, electroconductive electrode is made of a glass or plastic substrate coated with SnO₂, In₂ O₃ or Au, and said thin electrochromic layer is coated on said transparent, electroconductive electrode, said counter electrode being made of a material selected from the group consisting of platinum, gold, carbon, indium oxide, tungsten oxide, tin oxide, silver and lithium, and said electrolyte is an aqueous or organic solvent solution of LiCl or LiClO₄.

3. An electrochromic display member which comprises a transparent electroconductive electrode comprising a substrate of plastic or glass coated with a conductive layer of SnO₂, InO₂ and Au,

a thin electrochromic layer of a colorless or yellow layered compound of beta-ZrNX coated on said electrode, wherein X is chlorine, bromne or a solid solution of chlorine and bromine,

a counterelectrode spaced apart a predetermined distance from said thin electrochromic layer, said counterelectrode being made of a material selected from the group consisting of platinum, gold, carbon, indium oxide, tungsten oxide, tin oxide, silver and lithium,

and a liquid electrolyte disposed between and contacting said thin electrochromic layer and said counterelectrode, said electrolyte comprising an aqueous or organic solvent solution of LiCl or LiClO₄,

said lithium ions being capable of being intercalated between the layers of said beta-ZrNX to convert same to a black color when a voltage is impressed on said electrochromic display member to induce a reducing reaction.