Electrochromic device using mercaptans and organothiolate compounds
First Claim
1. An electrochromatic cell comprising:
- a) a layer, having first and second surfaces, of solid redox ion storage medium having a solid electrochromatic material dispersed therein and being transparent to electromagnetic radiation of a narrow bandwidth,b) a first layer of transparent electrical conductor in electrical contact with the first surface of the solid redox ion storage medium, andc) a second layer of transparent electrical conductor in electrical contact with the second surface of the solid redox ion storage medium.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electrochromic cell is disclosed which comprises an electrochromic layer and a composite ion counter electrode for transporting ions. The counter electrode further comprises a polymer electrolyte material and an organosulfur material in which, in its discharged state, the organosulfur material is further comprised of a mercaptan or an organothiolate. In one preferred embodiment, both the electrochromic electrode and the counter electrode are transparent either to visible light or to the entire electromagnetic spectrum in both charged and discharged states. An electrochromic device is disclosed which comprises one or more electrochromic electrodes encased in glass or plastic plates on the inner surface of each of which is formed a transparent electrically conductive film. Electrical contacts, which are in electrical contact with the conductive films, facilitate external electrical connection.
41 Citations
43 Claims
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1. An electrochromatic cell comprising:
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a) a layer, having first and second surfaces, of solid redox ion storage medium having a solid electrochromatic material dispersed therein and being transparent to electromagnetic radiation of a narrow bandwidth, b) a first layer of transparent electrical conductor in electrical contact with the first surface of the solid redox ion storage medium, and c) a second layer of transparent electrical conductor in electrical contact with the second surface of the solid redox ion storage medium. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18)
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17. An electrochromic device comprising:
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a) a solid layer of material capable of existing in a transparent electrical charge state, said layer further comprising; i) an electrochromic material; ii) an organosulfur material further comprising a compound having the general formula, in its charged state, of (R(S)y)2 wherein y is 2 to 4, and R is one or more of the same or different aliphatic or aromatic organic moleties having 1 to 100 carbon atoms which may include one or more oxygen, sulfur, or nitrogen heteroatoms when R comprises one or more aromatic rings, or one or more oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen, or fluorine atoms associated with the chain when R comprises an aliphatic chain, wherein the aliphatic chain may be linear, branched, saturated or unsaturated, and wherein either the aliphatic chain or the aromatic ring may have substituted groups thereon; and iii) a polymer electrolyte material; b) a first transparent electrically conductive film in electrical contact with a first surface of said layer of material; c) a second transparent electrically conductive film in electrical contact with a second surface of said layer of material electrochromic reservoir;
antid) a first substrate in contact with one of said transparent electrically conductive films. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. An electrochromic device having one level of transparency when in a charged state and a second level of transparency when in a discharged state comprising:
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a) a first transparent electrically conductive planar film including an electrical contact member; b) a solid layer of material capable of existing in a transparent electrical charge state having a first surface in electrical contact with said first transparent electrically conductive film, said layer of material further comprising; i) an electrochromic material comprising one or more materials selected from the group consisting of transition metal oxides, heteropolyacids, metal-oxide cermets, mixed oxide composites, hydrous Group VIII metal oxides, organic electrochromic materials, and redox compounds; ii) an organosulfur material further comprising a compound having the general formula, in its charged state, of (R(S)y)2 wherein y is 2 to 4, and R is one or more of the same or different aliphatic or aromatic organic moieties having 1 to 100 carbon atoms which may include one or more oxygen, sulfur, or nitrogen heteroatoms when R comprises one or more aromatic rings, or one or more oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen, or fluorine atoms associated with the chain when R comprises an aliphatic chain, wherein the aliphatic chain may be linear, branched, saturated or unsaturated, and wherein either the aliphatic chain or the aromatic ring may have substituted groups thereon; and iii) a polymer electrolyte material; c) a second transparent electrically conductive planar film having a first surface in contact with a second surface of said layer of material; d ) planar substrates in contact with said transparent electrically conductive films, said substrates selected from the group comprising plastic or glass substrates; and e) sealing means for sealing end edges of said planar members of said electrochromic device. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A method for reversibly coloring an electrochromic device, comprising the steps of:
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a) reversibly generating and transporting ions across a layer of material, wherein said layer of material further comprises; i) an electrochromic material; ii) a polymer electrolyte material further comprising a material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene oxide, oxymethylene-linked polyethylene oxide, amorphous polyethylene oxide, linked polyethylene glycols, polypropylene oxide, polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, and poly[bis((methoxyethoxy)ethoxy)] phosphazene; and iii) an organosulfur material further comprising a compound having the general formula, in its charged state, of (R(S)y)2 wherein y is 1 to 6, and R is one or more of the same or different aliphatic or aromatic organic moleties having 1 to 100 carbon atoms which may include one or more oxygen, sulfur, or nitrogen heteroatoms when R comprises one or more aromatic rings, or one or more oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen or fluorine atoms associated with the chain when R comprises an aliphatic chain, wherein the aliphatic chain may be linear, branched, saturated or unsaturated, and wherein either the aliphatic chain or the aromatic ring may have substituted groups thereon; b) transporting electrons at a first transparent electrically conductive film, wherein said first conductive film is in electrical contact with a first surface of said layer of material; and c) transporting electrons at a second transparent electrically conductive film, wherein said second conductive film is in electrical contact with a second surface of said layer of material. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
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Specification