Electrochromic polymeric solid films, manufacturing electrochromic devices using such solid films, and processes for making such solid films and devices

• US 20020012156A1
• Filed: 04/17/2001
• Published: 01/31/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/1993
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Anoop Agrawal, Craig Allen Dornan, Desaraju V. Varaprasad, Mingtang Zhao, Niall R. Lynam, Pierre-Marc Allemand
• Original Assignee: Anoop Agrawal, Craig Allen Dornan, Desaraju V. Varaprasad, Mingtang Zhao, Niall R. Lynam, Pierre-Marc Allemand
• Inventors: Agrawal, Anoop, Dornan, Craig Allen, Varaprasad, Desaraju V., Allemand, Pierre-Marc, Zhao, Mingtang, Lynam, Niall R.
• Granted Patent: US 6,954,300 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/273
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/06 comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10036 comprising two outer glass sheets
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10697 being cross-linked
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2665 on rear-view mirrors lighting devices for vehicle interior on or for rear-view mirrors B60Q3/258
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2900/40 Several lamps activated in sequence, e.g. sweep effect, progressive activation
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/088 using a cell of electrically changeable optical characteristic, e.g. liquid-crystal or electrochromic mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/1207 with lamps; with turn indicators
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 2211/1007 Non-condensed systems
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 2211/1011 Condensed systems
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 2211/1014 bridged by heteroatoms, e.g. N, P, Si or B
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 2211/1029 containing one nitrogen atom as the heteroatom
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 2211/1033 with oxygen
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 2211/1037 with sulfur
• 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 1/1516 comprising organic material
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/15165 Polymers
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/155 Electrodes
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2001/1518 : Ferrocene compounds
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2201/58 : Arrangements comprising a monitoring photodetector
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2202/022 : polymeric
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24785 : including layer embodying mechanically interengaged strands, strand portions or strand-like strips [e.g., weave, knit, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/26 : Web or sheet containing structurally defined element or component, the element or component having a specified physical dimension
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31551 : Of polyamidoester [polyurethane, polyisocyanate, polycarbamate, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31649 : Ester, halide or nitrile of addition polymer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31678 : Of metal
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31935 : Ester, halide or nitrile of addition polymer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/0419 : By distorting within elastic limit

Abstract

The present invention relates to electrochromic polymeric solid films, manufacturing electrochromic devices using such solid films and processes for making such solid films and devices. The electrochromic polymeric solid films of the present invention exhibit beneficial properties and characteristics, especially when compared to known electrochromic media. The electrochromic polymeric solid films are transformed in situ from a low viscosity electrochromic monomer composition by exposure to electromagnetic radiation, and in so doing minimum shrinkage occurs. The electrochromic polymeric solid films of the present invention also perform well under prolonged coloration, outdoor weathering and all-climate exposure, and provide an inherent safety aspect not known to electrochromic media heretofore.

Claims

1. A variable transmission window assembly suitable for use as an architectural or vehicular glazing:

a first glass substrate having a first transparent conductor coated surface;

a second glass substrate having a second transparent conductor coated surface, said second substrate positioned in substantially parallel spaced-apart relationship with said first substrate and with said first and second conductor coated surfaces facing each other;

an electrochromic medium disposed between said first and second substrates whereby the transmission of light through said electrochromic medium is changed when an electrical potential is applied thereto and wherein said electrochromic medium comprises a plasticized, cross-linked polymeric solid film formed by curing an electrochromic monomer composition that includes at least one polyfunctional component capable of cross-linking, at least one anodic electrochromic compound, at least one cathodic electrochromic compound and a plasticizer.

2. The window assembly of claim 1, wherein said glazing exhibits reduced hydrostatic pressure when vertically mounted.

3. The window assembly of claim 2, wherein said glazing is a window for a home or an office.

4. The window assembly of claim 2, wherein said glazing is a windshield, side window, blacklight, visor or shadeband for a vehicle.

5. The window assembly of claim 1, wherein said polyfunctional component comprises a polyfunctional hydroxy compound.

6. The window assembly of claim 5, wherein said hydroxy compound comprises a glycol or a glycerol.

7. The window assembly of claim 5, wherein said hydroxy compound comprises a triol.

8. The window assembly of claim 1, wherein said polyfunctional component comprises a polyfunctional amino compound or a polyfunctional mercapto compound.

9. The window assembly of claim 8, wherein said amino compound comprises a primary amino compound or a secondary amino compound.

10. The window assembly of claim 1, wherein said polyfunctional component has a functionality of 2 or greater.

11. The window assembly of claim 1, wherein said plasticizer comprises a member selected from the group consisting of acetonitrile, benzylacetone, 3-hydroxypropionitrile, methoxypropionitrile, 3-ethoxypropionitrile, propylene carbonate, ethylene carbonate, glycerine carbonate, 2-acetylbutyrolactone, cyanoethyl sucrose, γ

-butyrolactone, 2-methylglutaronitrile, N,N′

-dimethylformamide, 3-methylsulfolane, methylethyl ketone, cyclopentanone, cyclohexanone, 4-hydroxy-4-methyl-2-pentanone, acetophenone, glutaronitrile, 3,3′

-oxydipropionitrile, 2-methoxyethyl ether, triethylene glycol dimethyl ether and combinations thereof.

12. The window assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one of said first and second transparent conductor coated surfaces is coated with a transparent conductor comprising one of indium tin oxide, doped tin oxide and doped zinc oxide.

13. The window assembly of claim 12, wherein said transparent conductor may be selected from the group consisting of indium tin oxide, indium tin oxide full wave, indium tin oxide half wave, indium tin oxide half wave green, tin oxide, antimony-doped tin oxide, fluorine-doped tin oxide, antimony-doped zinc oxide and aluminum-doped zinc oxide.

14. The window assembly of claim 1, wherein said electrochromic medium comprises at least one of an ultraviolet stabilizer, a humectant, a coloring agent, a spacer, a flame retarding agent, a heat stabilizing agent, an antioxidizing agent, a lubricating agent, a compatibilizing agent, an adhesion promoting agent and a coupling agent.

15. The window assembly of claim 1, wherein said anodic electrochromic compound comprises a member selected from the class of chemical compounds represented by the following formulae:

16. The window assembly of claim 1, wherein said cathodic electrochromic compound comprises a member selected from the group of chemical compounds consisting of the following chemical formulae:

17. The window assembly of claim 1, wherein said cathodic electrochromic compound may be selected from the group consisting of ethylviologen perchlorate, heptylviologen styryl sulfonate, distryrylmethyl viologen perchlorate, ethylhydroxypropyl viologen perchlorate and combinations thereof.

18. The window assembly of claim 15, wherein said anodic electrochromic compound III is 5,10-dihydro-5,10-dimethylphenazine.

19. The window assembly of claim 15, wherein said anodic electrochromic compound VI is ferrocene.

20. The window assembly of claim 1, wherein said curing of said electrochromic monomer composition is an in-situ cure after said monomer composition has been disposed between said first and second substrates.

21. The window assembly of claim 1, wherein said glazing has a transmission in an unpowered state of at least 60% of light incident thereon.

22. The window assembly of claim 1, wherein said glazing has a transmission less than 10% of light incident thereon when an electrical potential of 1.3 V is applied to said electrochromic medium.

23. The window assembly of claim 1, wherein said glazing is a large area glazing of an area of at least 99 square inches.

24. The window assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one of said first and second glass substrates comprises a specialized glass with reduced ultraviolet radiation transmission.

25. The window assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one of said first and second glass substrates comprises tinted glass.

26. The window assembly of claim 25, wherein said tinted glass is one of a blue tinted glass and a gray tinted glass.

27. The window assembly of claim 14, wherein said electrochromic medium comprises an ultraviolet stabilizer in an amount, by weight, of about 0.1% to 15%.