Metal coatings, conductive nanoparticles and applications of the same

• US 20100002282A1
• Filed: 07/02/2009
• Published: 01/07/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/03/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ajjer, LLC
• Original Assignee: Ajjer, LLC
• Inventors: Agrawal, Anoop, Cronin, John P.
• Granted Patent: US 8,130,438 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/275
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/155 Electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2001/164 the electrolyte is made of polymers
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 1/02 mainly consisting of metals or alloys
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 1/026 Alloys based on copper
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/256 Heavy metal or aluminum or compound thereof

Abstract

This invention discloses corrosion resistant metal compositions that may be used to form nanoparticles or for coating of particles. Further, such particles may be used to fabricate printable transparent conductors that may be used in electronic devices. Electrochromic displays formed using such conductors are described.

Claims

1. A transparent conductive layer formed by incorporating conductive nanoparticles, wherein the composition of the conductive nanoparticles is;

(a) a silver alloy in which the alloying element is one of Be, Cu. Ge, Ni, Ru, Rh, Au, Pt, Ti, Zn, Mg, Mn, Pd. La, Ce, Nd, Sm and Eu;

(b) or a copper alloy in which the alloying element is one of Ag, Be, Ge, Ni, Ru, Rh, Au, Pt, Pd. La, Ce, Nd, Sm and Eu.

2. A transparent conductive layer as in claim 1 where the layer further comprises of conductively coated microfibers.

3. A transparent conductive layer as in claim 1, where the layer is deposited from liquid suspensions.

4. A transparent conductive layer as in claim 1, where the layer is used as a conductive electrode for a display device.

5. A transparent conductive layer as in claim 1, where the layer is used as a conductive electrode in an EC device.

6. Liquid suspensions for depositing conductive layers and connectors, wherein such suspensions comprise, either (a) nonconductive disc shaped nanoparticles with conductive coatings, and (b) nonconductive microfibers coated with conductive coatings.

7. Liquid suspensions as in claim 6 wherein the conductive coatings comprise of silver and copper alloys.

8. Liquid suspensions as in claim 6 wherein the disc shaped nanoparticles are exfoliated silicates.

9. An electrochromic device comprising of transparent conductor, wherein the transparent conductor comprises conductive nanoparticles, wherein the composition of the conductive nanoparticle material is a

(a) silver alloy in which the alloying element is one of Be, Cu. Ge, Ni, Ru, Rh, Au, Pt, Pd. La, Ce, Nd, Sm and Eu,

(b) or a copper alloy in which the alloying element is one of Ag, Be, Ge, Ni, Ru, Rh, Au, Pt, Pd. La, Ce, Nd, Sm and Eu.

10. An electrochromic device as in claim 9, wherein the said device is used as a window to attenuate solar energy transmission.