Electrochromic organic polymer synthesis and devices utilizing electrochromic organic polymers
First Claim
1. A laminated electrochromic device including a cathodic electrochromic polymer, but no anodic electrochromic polymer, comprising:
- (a) a transparent electrode layer;
(b) a cathodic polymer layer, the cathodic polymer being switchable between a first state and a second state, the cathodic polymer exhibiting a first color in the first state, whereas in the second state the cathodic polymer is at least one of a second different color, and generally transparent;
(c) an electrolyte layer comprising a solid electrolyte; and
(d) a counter electrode layer.
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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 (0.5–1 s) 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.
29 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A laminated electrochromic device including a cathodic electrochromic polymer, but no anodic electrochromic polymer, comprising:
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(a) a transparent electrode layer; (b) a cathodic polymer layer, the cathodic polymer being switchable between a first state and a second state, the cathodic polymer exhibiting a first color in the first state, whereas in the second state the cathodic polymer is at least one of a second different color, and generally transparent; (c) an electrolyte layer comprising a solid electrolyte; and (d) a counter electrode layer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A laminated electrochromic device comprising:
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(a) a transparent electrode layer; (b) a cathodic polymer layer, (c) an electrolyte layer comprising a solid electrolyte; and (d) a counter electrode layer, wherein the counter-electrode comprises; (i) a transparent non-conductive substrate; and (ii) a conductive material deposited onto the transparent non-conductive substrate in a patterned layer, such that the patterned layer does not reduce a light transmittance of the transparent electrode layer by more than about 25 percent. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A laminated electrochromic device comprising:
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(a) a transparent electrode layer; (b) a polymer layer, the polymer layer being switchable between a first state and a second state, the polymer layer exhibiting a first color in the first state, whereas in the second state, the polymer layer is at least one of a second different color and generally transparent, the polymer layer comprising one, but not each, of the following; (i) an electrochromic polymer exhibiting cathodic properties, such that the laminated electrochromic device does not include any electrochromic polymer exhibiting anodic properties; and (ii) an electrochromic polymer exhibiting anodic properties, such that the laminated electrochromic device does not include any electrochromic polymer exhibiting cathodic properties; (c) an electrolyte layer comprising a solid electrolyte; and (d) a counter electrode layer. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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Specification