Particle Removal From Electrochromic Films Using Non-Aqueous Fluids

• US 20150253642A1
• Filed: 03/06/2014
• Published: 09/10/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sage Electrochromics, Inc (Compagnie de Saint-Gobain SA)
• Original Assignee: Sage Electrochromics, Inc (Compagnie de Saint-Gobain SA)
• Inventors: Kalweit, Harvey, Ajjarapu, Satya, Giron, Jean-Christophe
• Granted Patent: US 10,767,143 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 1/006 Surface-active compounds containing fluorine and phosphorus
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 1/12 Sulfonic acids or sulfuric acid esters; Salts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 1/14 derived from aliphatic hydrocarbons or mono-alcohols
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 1/29 Sulfates of polyoxyalkylene ethers
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 2111/18 Glass; Plastics
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 2111/22 Electronic devices, e.g. PCBs or semiconductors
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/15 based on an electrochromic effect
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 71/60 Forming conductive regions or layers, e.g. electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 77/10 Substrates, e.g. flexible substrates
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/549 Organic PV cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 70/50 Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product

Abstract

Several of the films that comprise various energy producing or control devices, for example, electrochromic devices, lithium batteries, and photovoltaic cells, are sensitive to moisture in some way. They may be especially vulnerable to moisture at particular stages during their fabrication. It may also be highly desirable during fabrication to be able to wash particulates from the surface. The particulates may be generated some aspect of the fabrication process, or they may arise from the environment in which the fabrication takes place. This invention shows ways to remove said particles from the surface without incurring the damage associated with typical washing processes, resulting in higher manufacturing yields and better device performance.

Claims

1. A method of preparing a surface of a substrate comprising exposing the surface being prepared to a non-aqueous liquid, said surface comprising particulate material having a size between about 1 μ

m and about 100 μ

m.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said surface is comprised of a silicate glass, a non-silicate glass, a crystal, an amorphous semiconductor, a polymer, a copolymer, a liquid crystal polymer, a film of inorganic material, a film of organic material, or a composite of organic material and inorganic material.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said silicate glass is soda-lime float glass.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein said crystal is selected from the group consisting of silicon, germanium, a semiconductor comprised of group III and group V elements, for example, gallium arsenide, sapphire, lithium niobate, alkali elements, and alkali earth titanates, zirconates, vanadates, and niobates.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said surface is a conductive layer of an electrochromic device, a battery, a photovoltaic device, a thermochromic device, a liquid-crystal display device, an organic light emitting diode device, or a zenithal bistable device.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said surface is a non-conductive layer of an electrochromic device, a battery, a photovoltaic device, a thermochromic device, a liquid crystal display device, an organic light emitting diode device, zenithal bistable device.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said non-aqueous liquid is delivered to said surface in the form of a stream or jet of sufficient velocity to dislodge particles from the surface on which it impinges.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said non-aqueous liquid is delivered to said surface by condensing a vapor of that material onto said surface, and then allowing it to flow or be removed from said surface.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said temperature of the non-aqueous liquid and of said surface are independently controlled.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein said surface is a conductive layer of an electrochromic device.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein said non-aqueous liquid comprises less than about 0.1% of water.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein said non-aqueous liquid comprises less than about 0.01% of water.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein said non-aqueous liquid comprises less than about 1% of water.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein said non-aqueous liquid is non-polar.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein said non-aqueous liquid is polar.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein said non-aqueous liquid has a polarity between 0.0 Debeye and 5.0 Debeye.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein said non-aqueous liquid is comprises a fluorocarbon, hydrofluorocarbon, or a non-aqueous surfactant.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein said particulate material has a size ranging from between about 0.1 μ

m to about 1.0 mm.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein said particulate material has a size ranging from between about 1.0 μ

m to about 100 μ

m.

20. The method according to claim 1, wherein an energy is applied, said energy selected from the group consisting of ultrasonic agitation of said liquid, bubble jet agitation, and thermal heating of said liquid.