Electrochromic organic polymer synthesis and devices utilizing electrochromic organic polymers
First Claim
1. A method for synthesizing an electrochromic polymer suitable for use as a cathodic layer within a laminated electrochromic device;
- comprising the steps of;
(a) providing a first quantity of 3,4-dimethoxythiophene and a second quantity of 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediol;
(b) dissolving the first and second quantities in a sufficient quantity of toluene, such that substantially all of the first and second quantities dissolve in the toluene to form a solution; and
(c) refluxing the solution for at least eight hours, such that;
(i) the solution boils;
(ii) the toluene vaporizes, condenses and returns to the solution; and
(iii) the first and second quantities react to form [3,3-dimethyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-thieno[3,4-b][1,4]dioxepine].
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Accused Products
Abstract
Large contrast ratio and rapid switching laminated electrochromic (EC) polymer device includes transparent electrode, cathodic EC polymer, gel electrolyte, and counter-electrode. Preferably the cathodic EC polymer is a poly(3,4-propylenedioxythiophene) derivative, PProDOT-Me2. Counter-electrode is a conductive coating deposited on transparent substrate, with preferred coatings including gold and highly conductive carbon. Lithography and sputtering can be employed to pattern a gold layer, while screen printing can be employed to similarly pattern graphite. Empirical studies of preferred device indicate a color change of high contrast ratio of transmittance (>50% T) is rapidly (0.5-1s) obtained upon applied 2.5V, repeatable to at least 10,000 times, as estimated by electrochemistry. Dual layer EC devices including PProDOT-Me2 are also disclosed, as are methods for synthesizing preferred EC polymers. Preferred synthesis method for obtaining PProDOT-Me2 involves refluxing reagents in toluene in the presence of catalyst, while continually removing methanol byproduct from refluxing solution.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method for synthesizing an electrochromic polymer suitable for use as a cathodic layer within a laminated electrochromic device;
- comprising the steps of;
(a) providing a first quantity of 3,4-dimethoxythiophene and a second quantity of 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediol;
(b) dissolving the first and second quantities in a sufficient quantity of toluene, such that substantially all of the first and second quantities dissolve in the toluene to form a solution; and
(c) refluxing the solution for at least eight hours, such that;
(i) the solution boils;
(ii) the toluene vaporizes, condenses and returns to the solution; and
(iii) the first and second quantities react to form [3,3-dimethyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-thieno[3,4-b][1,4]dioxepine]. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
- comprising the steps of;
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9. A method for synthesizing an electrochromic polymer suitable for use as an anodic layer within a laminated electrochromic device;
- comprising the steps of;
(a) producing a first intermediate reagent by;
(i) providing a first quantity of (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (EDOT), a second quantity of n-butyl lithium; and
a third quantity of chilled tetrahydrofuran (THF), the third quantity being sufficient to substantially dissolve the first and second quantities;
(ii) introducing the first and second quantities into the chilled THF to form a first solution;
(iii) maintaining the first and second quantities in the chilled THF for a time sufficient to produce a Grignard reagent; and
(iv) treating the Grignard reagent with a quantity of magnesium bromide diethyl etherate sufficient to produce a brominated compound, the brominated compound comprising the first intermediate reagent;
(b) producing a second intermediate reagent by;
(i) providing a fourth quantity of a dibromocarbazole, a fifth quantity of lithium hydride; and
a sixth quantity of dimethyl foramide (DMF), the sixth quantity being sufficient to substantially dissolve the fourth and fifth quantities;
(ii) introducing the fourth and fifth quantities into the DMF to form a second solution;
(iii) cooling the second solution below room temperature; and
(iv) methylating the dibromocarbazole to produce a methylated dibromocarbazole intermediate product, the methylated dibromocarbazole intermediate product comprising the second intermediate reagent; and
(c) combining the first and second intermediate reagents in the presence of a catalyst to produce [3,6-bis(2-(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene))-N-methylcarbazole. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
- comprising the steps of;
Specification