Electrochromic device having a current-reducing additive

• US 20050012079A1
• Filed: 07/02/2004
• Published: 01/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kathy E. Roberts, Thomas F. Guarr
• Original Assignee: Kathy E. Roberts, Thomas F. Guarr
• Inventors: Guarr, Thomas F., Roberts, Kathy E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,031,044 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 252/500
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1503 caused by oxidation-reduction reactions in organic liquid solutions, e.g. viologen solutions

Abstract

An electrochromic medium for use in an electrochromic device comprising: at least one solvent; an anodic electroactive material; a cathodic electroactive material, wherein at least one of the anodic and cathodic electroactive materials is electrochromic; and a current-reducing additive, wherein the current-reducing additive comprises a polymer present in an effective concentration to materially reduce the current of the electrochromic medium upon application of an electrical potential, relative to an electrochromic medium without the current-reducing additive, while maintaining an electrochromic medium viscosity which facilitates acceptable production rates without a problematic degree of seal or other device component failure.

Claims

1-60. -60. (canceled)

61. An electrochromic medium for use in an electrochromic device, comprising:

at least one solvent;

an anodic electroactive material;

a cathodic electroactive material, wherein at least one of the anodic and cathodic electroactive materials is electrochromic;

a current-reducing additive, wherein the current-reducing additive comprises a polymer present in an effective concentration to reduce the current of the electrochromic medium upon application of an electrical potential by at least approximately 20% relative to an electrochromic medium without the current-reducing additive; and

wherein the electrochromic medium comprises a cross-linked polymer matrix.

62. The electrochromic medium according to claim 61, wherein the average molecular weight of the current-reducing additive is greater than approximately 1,000 Daltons.

63. The electrochromic medium according to claim 61, wherein the average molecular weight of the current-reducing additive ranges from approximately 1,500 Daltons to approximately 125,000 Daltons.

64. The electrochromic medium according to claim 61, wherein the average molecular weight of the current-reducing additive ranges from approximately 1,500 Daltons to approximately 50,000 Daltons.

65. The electrochromic medium according to claim 61, wherein the current-reducing additive is present in a concentration ranging from approximately 5% by weight to approximately 75% by weight.

66. The electrochromic medium according to claim 61, wherein the current-reducing additive is present in a concentration ranging from approximately 8% by weight to approximately 30% by weight.

67. The electrochromic medium according to claim 61, wherein the current-reducing additive is selected from the group comprising polyamides, polyimides, polycarbonates, polyesters, polyethers, polymethacrylates, polyacrylates, polysilanes, polysiloxanes, polyvinylacetates, polyacrylonitriles, polyvinylalcohols, and combinations thereof.

68. The electrochromic medium according to claim 61, wherein the current-reducing additive is present in an effective concentration to reduce the current of the electrochromic medium upon application of an electrical potential by at least approximately 40% relative to an electrochromic medium without the current-reducing additive.

69. An electrochromic device, comprising:

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

a second substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith; and

the electrochromic medium according to claim 61 contained within a chamber positioned between the first and second substrates.

70. The electrochromic device according to claim 69, wherein the device is an electrochromic window.

71. The electrochromic device according to claim 69, wherein the second substrate is coated with a reflective material.

72. The electrochromic device according to claim 69, wherein a first surface of the second substrate is coated with a reflective material.

73. The electrochromic device according to claim 72, wherein the device is an electrochromic mirror.

74. An electrochromic medium for use in an electrochromic device, comprising:

at least one solvent;

an anodic electroactive material;

a cathodic electroactive material, wherein at least one of the anodic and cathodic electroactive materials is electrochromic;

a current-reducing additive, wherein the current-reducing additive is present in a concentration greater than 12% by weight; and

wherein the electrochromic medium comprises a cross-linked polymer matrix.

75. The electrochromic medium according to claim 74, wherein the current-reducing additive is present in a concentration greater than 15% by weight.

76. An electrochromic device, comprising:

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

a second substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith; and

the electrochromic medium according to claim 74 contained within a chamber positioned between the first and second substrates.

77. The electrochromic device according to claim 76, wherein the device is an electrochromic window.

78. The electrochromic device according to claim 76, wherein the second substrate is coated with a reflective material.

79. The electrochromic device according to claim 76, wherein a first surface of the second substrate is coated with a reflective material.

80. The electrochromic device according to claim 79, wherein the device is an electrochromic mirror.

81. An electrochromic medium for use in an electrochromic device, comprising:

at least one solvent;

an anodic electroactive material;

a cathodic electroactive material, wherein at least one of the anodic and cathodic electroactive materials is electrochromic;

a current-reducing additive, wherein the current-reducing additive comprises at least one polymer based on polymerization of a material represented by formula I;

wherein R₁₄ are the same or different and comprise H, a halide, a hydroxy group, a cyano group, an isocyano group, an isothiocyano group, a substituted or unsubstituted and straight or branched alkyl, cycloalkyl, polycycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkoxy, alkenyl, or alkynyl group containing approximately 1 to approximately 40 carbon atom(s), carbonyls, esters, carbonates, amides, ketenes, epoxides, a silyl or siloxyl group containing approximately 1 to approximately 40 silicon atom(s), and combinations thereof;

wherein the current-reducing additive is present in an effective concentration to materially reduce the current of the electrochromic medium upon application of an electrical potential relative to an electrochromic medium without the current-reducing additive;

wherein the current-reducing additive comprises an average molecular weight of less than approximately 85,000 Daltons; and

wherein the electrochromic medium comprises a cross-linked polymer matrix.

82. An electrochromic device, comprising:

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

a second substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith; and

the electrochromic medium according to claim 81 contained within a chamber positioned between the first and second substrates.

83. The electrochromic device according to claim 82, wherein the device is an electrochromic window.

84. The electrochromic device according to claim 82, wherein the second substrate is coated with a reflective material.

85. The electrochromic device according to claim 82, wherein a first surface of the second substrate is coated with a reflective material.

86. The electrochromic device according to claim 85, wherein the device is an electrochromic mirror.

87. An electrochromic medium for use in an electrochromic device, comprising:

at least one solvent;

an anodic electroactive material;

a cathodic electroactive material, wherein at least one of the anodic and cathodic electroactive materials is electrochromic;

a current-reducing additive, wherein the current-reducing additive comprises at least one polymer based on polymerization of a material represented by formula II;

wherein R_5-8 are the same or different and comprise H, a halide, a hydroxy group, a cyano group, an isocyano group, an isothiocyano group, a substituted or unsubstituted and straight or branched alkyl, cycloalkyl, polycycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkoxy, alkenyl, or alkynyl group containing approximately 1 to approximately 40 carbon atom(s), carbonyls, esters, carbonates, amides, ketenes, epoxides, a silyl or siloxyl group containing approximately 1 to approximately 40 silicon atom(s), and combinations thereof; and

wherein the current-reducing additive is present in an effective concentration to materially reduce the current of the electrochromic medium upon application of an electrical potential relative to an electrochromic medium without the current-reducing additive; and

wherein the electrochromic medium comprises a cross-linked polymer matrix.

88. An electrochromic device, comprising:

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

a second substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith; and

the electrochromic medium according to claim 87 contained within a chamber positioned between the first and second substrates.

89. The electrochromic device according to claim 88, wherein the device is an electrochromic window.

90. The electrochromic device according to claim 88, wherein the second substrate is coated with a reflective material.

91. The electrochromic device according to claim 88, wherein a first surface of the second substrate is coated with a reflective material.

92. The electrochromic device according to claim 91, wherein the device is an electrochromic mirror.

93. An electrochromic medium for use in an electrochromic device, comprising:

at least one solvent;

an anodic electroactive material;

a cathodic electroactive material, wherein at least one of the anodic and cathodic electroactive materials is electrochromic;

a current-reducing additive, wherein the current-reducing additive comprises at least one polymer represented by formula III;

wherein R₉ comprises a substituted or unsubstituted and straight or branched alkyl, cycloalkyl, polycycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkoxy, alkenyl, or alkynyl group containing approximately 1 to approximately 40 carbon atom(s), carbonyls, esters, carbonates, amides, ketenes, epoxides, a silyl or siloxyl group containing approximately 1 to approximately 40 silicon atom(s), and combinations thereof, wherein n is an integer which ranges in value from 0 to approximately 1,700; and

wherein the current-reducing additive is present in an effective concentration to materially reduce the current of the electrochromic medium upon application of an electrical potential relative to an electrochromic medium without the current-reducing additive; and

wherein the electrochromic medium comprises a cross-linked polymer matrix.

94. An electrochromic device, comprising:

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

a second substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith; and

the electrochromic medium according to claim 93 contained within a chamber positioned between the first and second substrates.

95. The electrochromic device according to claim 94, wherein the device is an electrochromic window.

96. The electrochromic device according to claim 94, wherein the second substrate is coated with a reflective material.

97. The electrochromic device according to claim 94, wherein a first surface of the second substrate is coated with a reflective material.

98. The electrochromic device according to claim 97, wherein the device is an electrochromic mirror.

99. An electrochromic medium for use in an electrochromic device, comprising:

at least one solvent;

an anodic electroactive material;

a cathodic electroactive material, wherein at least one of the anodic and cathodic electroactive materials is electrochromic;

a current-reducing additive, wherein the current-reducing additive comprises at least one polymer represented by formula IV;

wherein R_10-11 are the same or different and comprise a substituted or unsubstituted and straight or branched alkyl, cycloalkyl, polycycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkoxy, alkenyl, or alkynyl group containing approximately 1 to approximately 40 carbon atom(s), carbonyls, esters, carbonates, amides, ketenes, epoxides, a silyl or siloxyl group containing approximately 1 to approximately 40 silicon atom(s), and combinations thereof, wherein n is an integer which ranges in value from 0 to approximately 1,100; and

wherein the current-reducing additive is present in an effective concentration to materially reduce the current of the electrochromic medium upon application of an electrical potential relative to an electrochromic medium without the current-reducing additive; and

wherein the electrochromic medium comprises a cross-linked polymer matrix.

100. An electrochromic device, comprising:

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

a second substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith; and

the electrochromic medium according to claim 99 contained within a chamber positioned between the first and second substrates.

101. The electrochromic device according to claim 100, wherein the device is an electrochromic window.

102. The electrochromic device according to claim 100, wherein the second substrate is coated with a reflective material.

103. The electrochromic device according to claim 100, wherein a first surface of the second substrate is coated with a reflective material.

104. The electrochromic device according to claim 103, wherein the device is an electrochromic mirror.

105. An electrochromic medium for use in an electrochromic device, comprising:

at least one solvent;

an anodic electroactive material;

a cathodic electroactive material, wherein at least one of the anodic and cathodic electroactive materials is electrochromic;

a current-reducing additive, wherein the current-reducing additive comprises at least one polymer based on formula V;

wherein R_12-15 are the same or different and comprise H, a halide, a hydroxy group, a cyano group, an isocyano group, an isothiocyano group, a substituted or unsubstituted and straight or branched alkyl, cycloalkyl, polycycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkoxy, alkenyl, or alkynyl group containing approximately 1 to approximately 40 carbon atom(s), carbonyls, esters, carbonates, amides, ketenes, epoxides, a silyl or siloxyl group containing approximately 1 to approximately 40 silicon atom(s), and combinations thereof, wherein m is an integer which ranges in value from 0 to approximately 500, wherein n is an integer which ranges in value from 1 to approximately 20; and

wherein the current-reducing additive is present in an effective concentration to materially reduce the current of the electrochromic medium upon application of an electrical potential relative to an electrochromic medium without the current-reducing additive; and

wherein the electrochromic medium comprises a cross-linked polymer matrix.

106. An electrochromic device, comprising:

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

a second substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith; and

the electrochromic medium according to claim 105 contained within a chamber positioned between the first and second substrates.

107. The electrochromic device according to claim 106, wherein the device is an electrochromic window.

108. The electrochromic device according to claim 106, wherein the second substrate is coated with a reflective material.

109. The electrochromic device according to claim 106, wherein a first surface of the second substrate is coated with a reflective material.

110. The electrochromic device according to claim 109, wherein the device is an electrochromic mirror.

111. An electrochromic medium for use in an electrochromic device, comprising:

at least one solvent;

an anodic electroactive material;

a cathodic electroactive material, wherein at least one of the anodic and cathodic electroactive materials is electrochromic;

a cross-linked polymer matrix; and

a current-reducing additive, wherein the current-reducing additive is selected from at least one of the group consisting of;

(1) at least one polymer based on polymerization of a material represented by formula I;

wherein R_1-4 are the same or different and comprise H, a halide, a hydroxy group, a cyano group, an isocyano group, an isothiocyano group, a substituted or unsubstituted and straight or branched alkyl, cycloalkyl, polycycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkoxy, alkenyl, or alkynyl group containing approximately 1 to approximately 40 carbon atom(s), carbonyls, esters, carbonates, amides, ketenes, epoxides, a silyl or siloxyl group containing approximately 1 to approximately 40 silicon atom(s), and combinations thereof;

wherein the current-reducing additive is present in an effective concentration to materially reduce the current of the electrochromic medium upon application of an electrical potential relative to an electrochromic medium without the current-reducing additive; and

wherein the current-reducing additive comprises an average molecular weight of less than approximately 85,000 Daltons;

(2) at least one polymer based on polymerization of a material represented by formula II;

wherein R_5-8 are the same or different and comprise H, a halide, a hydroxy group, a cyano group, an isocyano group, an isothiocyano group, a substituted or unsubstituted and straight or branched alkyl, cycloalkyl, polycycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkoxy, alkenyl, or alkynyl group containing approximately 1 to approximately 40 carbon atom(s), carbonyls, esters, carbonates, amides, ketenes, epoxides, a silyl or siloxyl group containing approximately 1 to approximately 40 silicon atom(s), and combinations thereof; and

wherein the current-reducing additive is present in an effective concentration to materially reduce the current of the electrochromic medium upon application of an electrical potential relative to an electrochromic medium without the current-reducing additive;

(3) at least one polymer represented by formula III;

wherein R₉ comprises a substituted or unsubstituted and straight or branched alkyl, cycloalkyl, polycycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkoxy, alkenyl, or alkynyl group containing approximately 1 to approximately 40 carbon atom(s), carbonyls, esters, carbonates, amides, ketenes, epoxides, a silyl or siloxyl group containing approximately 1 to approximately 40 silicon atom(s), and combinations thereof, wherein n is an integer which ranges in value from 0 to approximately 1,700; and

wherein the current-reducing additive is present in an effective concentration to materially reduce the current of the electrochromic medium upon application of an electrical potential relative to an electrochromic medium without the current-reducing additive;

(4) at least one polymer represented by formula IV;

wherein R_10-11 are the same or different and comprise a substituted or unsubstituted and straight or branched alkyl, cycloalkyl, polycycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkoxy, alkenyl, or alkynyl group containing approximately 1 to approximately 40 carbon atom(s), carbonyls, esters, carbonates, amides, ketenes, epoxides, a silyl or siloxyl group containing approximately 1 to approximately 40 silicon atom(s), and combinations thereof, wherein n is an integer which ranges in value from 0 to approximately 1,100; and

wherein the current-reducing additive is present in an effective concentration to materially reduce the current of the electrochromic medium upon application of an electrical potential relative to an electrochromic medium without the current-reducing additive; and

at least one polymer represented by formula V;

wherein R_12-15 are the same or different and comprise H, a halide, a hydroxy group, a cyano group, an isocyano group, an isothiocyano group, a substituted or unsubstituted and straight or branched alkyl, cycloalkyl, polycycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkoxy, alkenyl, or alkynyl group containing approximately 1 to approximately 40 carbon atom(s), carbonyls, esters, carbonates, amides, ketenes, epoxides, a silyl or siloxyl group containing approximately 1 to approximately 40 silicon atom(s), and combinations thereof, wherein m is an integer which ranges in value from 0 to approximately 500, wherein n is an integer which ranges in value from 1 to approximately 20; and

wherein the current-reducing additive is present in an effective concentration to materially reduce the current of the electrochromic medium upon application of an electrical potential relative to an electrochromic medium without the current-reducing additive.