Color-stabilized electrochromic devices

• US 6,876,477 B2
• Filed: 01/07/2004
• Issued: 04/05/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Inventors: Guarr, Thomas F., Lomprey, Jeffrey R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ben, Loha
• Application Number:
  US10/753,110
• Publication Number:
  US 20040233501A1
• Time in Patent Office: 454 Days
• Field of Search: 359/265, 359/269, 359/270, 359/272, 359/273, 359/271, 359/275, 252/500, 252/583, 252/600
• US Class Current: 359/265
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 9/02 Organic tenebrescent materials
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1503 caused by oxidation-reduction reactions in organic liquid solutions, e.g. viologen solutions
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1525 characterised by a particular ion transporting layer, e.g. electrolyte
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2001/1502 complementary cell
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2001/15145 the electrochromic layer comprises a mixture of anodic and cathodic compounds

Abstract

An electrochromic device comprising: (a) a first substantially transparent substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith; (b) a second substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith; (c) an electrochromic medium contained within a chamber positioned between the first and second substrates which comprises: (1) a solvent; (2) a cathodic electroactive material; (3) an anodic electroactive material, wherein at least one of the anodic and cathodic electroactive materials is electrochromic; and (4) a color-stabilizing additive, wherein the color-stabilizing additive is electroactive within a normal operating voltage of the electrochromic device; and (d) means associated with the color-stabilizing additive for maintaining an at least nearly colorless electrochromic device while the electrochromic device is in an open circuit and/or zero potential state relative to the same device without the color-stabilizing additive.

Claims

1. An electrochromic device, comprising:

(a) a first substantially transparent substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith;

(b) a second substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith;

(c) an electrochromic medium contained within a chamber positioned between the first and second substrates which comprises;

(1) a solvent;

(2) a cathodic electroactive material;

(3) an anodic electroactive material, wherein at least one of the anodic and cathodic electroactive materials is electrochromic;

(4) a color-stabilizing additive; and

(5) wherein the electrochromic medium comprises a cross-linked polymer matrix; and

(d) wherein the electrochromic device exhibits an absolute value of Δ

b* of less than 10.00 after being exposed to 85 degrees centigrade for approximately 4,300 hours.

2. The electrochromic device according to claim 1, wherein the electrochromic device exhibits an absolute value of Δ

b* of less than 5.00 after being exposed to 85 degrees centigrade for approximately 4,300 hours.

3. The electrochromic device according to claim 1, wherein the electrochromic device exhibits an absolute value of Δ

b* of less than 1.00 after being exposed to 85 degrees centigrade for approximately 4,300 hours.

4. The electrochromic device according to claim 1, wherein the device is an electrochromic window.

5. The electrochromic device according to claim 1, wherein the second substrate is coated with a reflective material.

6. The electrochromic device according to claim 5, wherein the device is an electrochromic mirror.

7. The electrochromic device according to claim 1, wherein a first surface of the second substrate is coated with a reflective material.

8. The electrochromic device according to claim 7, wherein the device is an electrochromic mirror.

9. An electrochromic device, comprising:

(a) a first substantially transparent substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith;

(b) a second substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith;

(c) an electrochromic medium contained within a chamber positioned between the first and second substrates which comprises;

(1) a solvent;

(2) a cathodic electroactive material;

(3) an anodic electroactive material, wherein at least one of the anodic and cathodic electroactive materials is electrochromic;

(4) a color-stabilizing additive; and

(5) wherein the electrochromic medium comprises a cross-linked polymer matrix; and

(d) wherein the electrochromic device exhibits an absolute value of Δ

E of less than 10.00 after being exposed to 85 degrees centigrade for approximately 4,300 hours.

10. The electrochromic device according to claim 9, wherein the electrochromic device exhibits an absolute value of Δ

E of less than 5.00 after being exposed to 85 degrees centigrade for approximately 4,300 hours.

11. The electrochromic device according to claim 9, wherein the electrochromic device exhibits an absolute value of Δ

E of less than 2.00 after being exposed to 85 degrees centigrade for approximately 4,300 hours.

12. The electrochromic device according to claim 9, wherein the device is an electrochromic window.

13. The electrochromic device according to claim 9, wherein the second substrate is coated with a reflective material.

14. The electrochromic device according to claim 13, wherein the device is an electrochromic mirror.

15. The electrochromic device according to claim 9, wherein a first surface of the second substrate is coated with a reflective material.

16. The electrochromic device according to claim 15, wherein the device is an electrochromic mirror.

17. An electrochromic device, comprising:

(a) a first substantially transparent substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith;

(b) a second substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith;

(c) an electrochromic medium contained within a chamber positioned between the first and second substrates which comprises;

(1) a solvent;

(2) a cathodic electroactive material;

(3) an anodic electroactive material, wherein at least one of the anodic and cathodic electroactive materials is electrochromic;

(4) a color-stabilizing additive; and

(5) wherein the electrochromic medium comprises a cross-linked polymer matrix; and

(d) wherein the electrochromic device exhibits an absolute value of Δ

b* of less than 6.00 after being exposed to ultraviolet radiation for approximately 2,000 hours while in a weatherometer.

18. The electrochromic device according to claim 17, wherein the electrochromic device exhibits an absolute value of Δ

b* of less than 5.00 after being exposed to ultraviolet radiation for approximately 2,000 hours while in a weatherometer.

19. The electrochromic device according to claim 17, wherein the electrochromic device exhibits an absolute value of Δ

b* of less than 2.00 after being exposed to ultraviolet radiation for approximately 2,000 hours while in a weatherometer.

20. The electrochromic device according to claim 17, wherein the device is an electrochromic window.

21. The electrochromic device according to claim 17, wherein the second substrate is coated with a reflective material.

22. The electrochromic device according to claim 21, wherein the device is an electrochromic mirror.

23. The electrochromic device according to claim 17, wherein a first surface of the second substrate is coated with a reflective material.

24. The electrochromic device according to claim 23, wherein the device is an electrochromic mirror.

25. An electrochromic device, comprising:

(a) a first substantially transparent substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith;

(b) a second substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith;

(c) an electrochromic medium contained within a chamber positioned between the first and second substrates which comprises;

(1) a solvent;

(2) a cathodic electroactive material;

(3) an anodic electroactive material, wherein at least one of the anodic and cathodic electroactive materials is electrochromic;

(4) a color-stabilizing additive; and

(5) wherein the electrochromic medium comprises a cross-linked polymer matrix; and

(d) wherein the electrochromic device exhibits an absolute value of Δ

E of less than 9.00 after being exposed to ultraviolet radiation for approximately 2,000 hours while in a weatherometer.

26. The electrochromic device according to claim 25, wherein the electrochromic device exhibits an absolute value of Δ

E of less than 5.00 after being exposed to ultraviolet radiation for approximately 2,000 hours while in a weatherometer.

27. The electrochromic device according to claim 25, wherein the electrochromic device exhibits an absolute value of Δ

E of less than 2.00 after being exposed to ultraviolet radiation for approximately 2,000 hours while in a weatherometer.

28. The electrochromic device according to claim 25, wherein the device is an electrochromic window.

29. The electrochromic device according to claim 25, wherein the second substrate is coated with a reflective material.

30. The electrochromic device according to claim 29, wherein the device is an electrochromic mirror.

31. The electrochromic device according to claim 25, wherein a first surface of the second substrate is coated with a reflective material.

32. The electrochromic device according to claim 31, wherein the device is an electrochromic mirror.

33. An electrochromic device, comprising:

(a) a first substantially transparent substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith;

(b) a second substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith;

(c) an electrochromic medium contained within a chamber positioned between the first and second substrates which comprises;

(1) a solvent;

(2) a cathodic electroactive material;

(3) an anodic electroactive material, wherein at least one of the anodic and cathodic electroactive materials is electrochromic;

(4) a color-stabilizing additive; and

(5) wherein the electrochromic medium comprises a cross-linked polymer matrix; and

(d) wherein the electrochromic device exhibits an absolute value of Δ

b* of less than 10.00 after being exposed to approximately 10,000 hours of ultraviolet radiation in a weatherometer while cycling, each cycle consisting of an electrical potential application of approximately 1.2V for 30 seconds and an electrical potential application of approximately 0.0V for 30 seconds.

34. The electrochromic device according to claim 33, wherein the electrochromic device exhibits an absolute value of Δ

b* of less than 5.00 after being exposed to approximately 10,000 hours of ultraviolet radiation in a weatherometer while cycling, each cycle consisting of an electrical potential application of approximately 1.2V for 30 seconds and an electrical potential application of approximately 0.0V for 30 seconds.

35. The electrochromic device according to claim 33, wherein the device is an electrochromic window.

36. The electrochromic device according to claim 33, wherein the second substrate is coated with a reflective material.

37. The electrochromic device according to claim 36, wherein the device is an electrochromic mirror.

38. The electrochromic device according to claim 33, wherein a first surface of the second substrate is coated with a reflective material.

39. The electrochromic device according to claim 38, wherein the device is an electrochromic mirror.

40. An electrochromic device, comprising:

(a) a first substantially transparent substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith;

(b) a second substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith;

(c) an electrochromic medium contained within a chamber positioned between the first and second substrates which comprises;

(1) a solvent;

(2) a cathodic electroactive material;

(3) an anodic electroactive material, wherein at least one of the anodic and cathodic electroactive materials is electrochromic;

(4) a color-stabilizing additive; and

(5) wherein the electrochromic medium comprises a cross-linked polymer matrix; and

(d) wherein the electrochromic device exhibits an absolute value of Δ

E of less than 10.00 after being exposed to approximately 10,000 hours of ultraviolet radiation in a weatherometer while cycling, each cycle consisting of an electrical potential application of approximately 1.2V for 30 seconds and an electrical potential application of approximately 0.0V for 30 seconds.

41. The electrochromic device according to claim 40, wherein the electrochromic device exhibits an absolute value of Δ

E of less than 6.00 after being exposed to approximately 10,000 hours of ultraviolet radiation in a weatherometer while cycling, each cycle consisting of an electrical potential application of approximately 1.2V for 30 seconds and an electrical potential application of approximately 0.0V for 30 seconds.

42. The electrochromic device according to claim 40, wherein the device is an electrochromic window.

43. The electrochromic device according to claim 40, wherein the second substrate is coated with a reflective material.

44. The electrochromic device according to claim 43, wherein the device is an electrochromic mirror.

45. The electrochromic device according to claim 40, wherein a first surface of the second substrate is coated with a reflective material.

46. The electrochromic device according to claim 45, wherein the device is an electrochromic mirror.

47. An electrochromic device, comprising:

(a) a first substantially transparent substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith;

(b) a second substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith;

(c) an electrochromic medium contained within a chamber positioned between the first and second substrates which comprises;

(1) a solvent;

(2) a cathodic electroactive material;

(3) an anodic electroactive material, wherein at least one of the anodic and cathodic electroactive materials is electrochromic;

(4) a color-stabilizing additive; and

(5) wherein the electrochromic medium comprises a cross-linked polymer matrix; and

(d) wherein the electrochromic device exhibits an absolute value of Δ

b* of less than 10.00 after being exposed to approximately 6,300 hours of cycling at 70 degrees centigrade, each cycle consisting of an electrical potential application of approximately 1.2V for 30 seconds and an electrical potential application of approximately 0.0V for 30 seconds.

48. The electrochromic device according to claim 47, wherein the electrochromic device exhibits an absolute value of Δ

b* of less than 5.00 after being exposed to approximately 6,300 hours of cycling at 70 degrees centigrade, each cycle consisting of an electrical potential application of approximately 1.2V for 30 seconds and an electrical potential application of approximately 0.0V for 30 seconds.

49. The electrochromic device according to claim 47, wherein the electrochromic device exhibits an absolute value of Δ

b* of less than 1.00 after being exposed to approximately 6,300 hours of cycling at 70 degrees centigrade, each cycle consisting of an electrical potential application of approximately 1.2V for 30 seconds and an electrical potential application of approximately 0.0V for 30 seconds.

50. The electrochromic device according to claim 47, wherein the device is an electrochromic window.

51. The electrochromic device according to claim 47, wherein the second substrate is coated with a reflective material.

52. The electrochromic device according to claim 51, wherein the device is an electrochromic mirror.

53. The electrochromic device according to claim 47, wherein a first surface of the second substrate is coated with a reflective material.

54. The electrochromic device according to claim 53, wherein the device is an electrochromic mirror.

55. An electrochromic device, comprising:

(a) a first substantially transparent substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith;

(b) a second substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith;

(c) an electrochromic medium contained within a chamber positioned between the first and second substrates which comprises;

(1) a solvent;

(2) a cathodic electroactive material;

(3) an anodic electroactive material, wherein at least one of the anodic and cathodic electroactive materials is electrochromic;

(4) a color-stabilizing additive; and

(5) wherein the electrochromic medium comprises a cross-linked polymer matrix; and

(d) wherein the electrochromic device exhibits an absolute value of Δ

E of less than 10.00 after being exposed to approximately 6,300 hours of cycling at 70 degrees centigrade, each cycle consisting of an electrical potential application of approximately 1.2V for 30 seconds and an electrical potential application of approximately 0.0V for 30 seconds.

56. The electrochromic device according to claim 55, wherein the electrochromic device exhibits an absolute value of Δ

E of less than 5.00 after being exposed to approximately 6,300 hours of cycling at 70 degrees centigrade, each cycle consisting of an electrical potential application of approximately 1.2V for 30 seconds and an electrical potential application of approximately 0.0V for 30 seconds.

57. The electrochromic device according to claim 55, wherein the electrochromic device exhibits an absolute value of Δ

E of less than 2.00 after being exposed to approximately 6,300 hours of cycling at 70 degrees centigrade, each cycle consisting of an electrical potential application of approximately 1.2V for 30 seconds and an electrical potential application of approximately 0.0V for 30 seconds.

58. The electrochromic device according to claim 55, wherein the device is an electrochromic window.

59. The electrochromic device according to claim 55, wherein the second substrate is coated with a reflective material.

60. The electrochromic device according to claim 59, wherein the device is an electrochromic mirror.

61. The electrochromic device according to claim 55, wherein a first surface of the second substrate is coated with a reflective material.

62. The electrochromic device according to claim 61, wherein the device is an electrochromic mirror.