Color-stabilized electrochromic devices

• US 6,486,998 B2
• Filed: 10/25/2001
• Issued: 11/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Inventors: Guarr, Thomas F., Lomprey, Jeffrey R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Epps, Georgia
• Assistant Examiner(s): THOMPSON, TIMOTHY J
• Application Number:
  US10/035,721
• Publication Number:
  US 20020118436A1
• Time in Patent Office: 397 Days
• Field of Search: 359/265, 359/269, 359/270, 359/273, 359/275, 359/271, 359/272, 252/500, 252/583, 252/600
• US Class Current: 359/265
• 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 1/1525 characterised by a particular ion transporting layer, e.g. electrolyte
• 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

Abstract

An electrochromic medium for use in a normally operating electrochromic device comprising an anodic material and a cathodic material wherein both of the anodic and cathodic materials are electroactive and at least one of the anodic and cathodic materials is electrochromic, an additive, and means associated with the additive for maintaining a colorless or nearly colorless electrochromic medium while the electrochromic medium is in a high transmission state relative to an electrochromic medium without the additive.

Claims

1. An electrochromic device, comprising:

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

(b) a second substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith;

(c) an electrochromic medium contained within a chamber positioned between the first and second substrates which comprises;

(1) a solvent;

(2) a cathodic electroactive material;

(3) an anodic electroactive material, wherein at least one of the anodic and cathodic electroactive materials is electrochromic; and

(4) a color-stabilizing additive; and

(d) wherein the electrochromic device exhibits an absolute value of Δ

a* of less than 3.25 after being exposed to an autoclave pressurized to 400 p.s.i with oxygen for approximately 2,000 hours at ambient temperature.

2. The electrochromic device according to claim 1, wherein the electrochromic device exhibits an absolute value of Δ

a* of less than 2.00 after being exposed to an autoclave pressurized to 400 p.s.i. with oxygen for approximately 2,000 hours at ambient temperature.

3. An electrochromic device, comprising:

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

(b) a second substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith;

(c) an electrochromic medium contained within a chamber positioned between the first and second substrates which comprises;

(1) a solvent;

(2) a cathodic electroactive material;

(3) an anodic electroactive material, wherein at least one of the anodic and cathodic electroactive materials is electrochromic; and

(4) wherein the electrochromic device exhibits an absolute value of Δ

b* of less than 6.00 after being exposed to an autoclave pressurized to 400 p.s.i. with oxygen for approximately 2,000 hours at ambient temperature.

4. The electrochromic device according to claim 3, wherein the electrochromic device exhibits an absolute value of Δ

b* of less than 3.00 after being exposed to an autoclave pressurized to 400 p.s.i. with oxygen for approximately 2,000 hours at ambient temperature.

5. An electrochromic device, comprising:

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

(b) a second substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith;

(c) an electrochromic medium contained within a chamber positioned between the first and second substrate which comprises;

(1) a solvent;

(2) a cathodic electroactive material;

(3) an anodic electroactive material, wherein at least one of the anodic and cathodic electroactive materials is electrochromic; and

(4) wherein the electrochromic device exhibits an absolute value of Δ

E of less than 9.00 after being exposed to an autoclave pressurized at 400 p.s.i. with oxygen for approximately 2,000 hours at ambient temperature.

6. An electrochromic device, comprising:

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

(b) a second substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith;

(c) an electrochromic medium contained within a chamber positioned between the first and second substrates which comprises;

(1) a solvent;

(2) a cathodic electroactive material;

(3) an anodic electroactive material, wherein at least one of the anodic and cathodic electroactive materials is electrochromic; and

(4) a color-stabilizing additive; and

(d) wherein the electrochromic device exhibits an absolute value of Δ

Y of less than 7.50 after being exposed to an autoclave pressurized to 400 p.s.i. with oxygen for approximately 2,000 hours at ambient temperature.

7. The electrochromic device according to claim 6, wherein the electrochromic device exhibits an absolute value of Δ

Y of less than 5.00 after being exposed to an autoclave pressurized to 400 p.s.i. with oxygen for approximately 2,000 hours at ambient temperature.

8. An electrochromic device, comprising:

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

(b) a second substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith;

(c) an electrochromic medium contained within a chamber positioned between the first and second substrates which comprises;

(1) a solvent;

(2) a cathodic electroactive material;

(3) an anodic electroactive material, wherein at least one of the anodic and cathodic electroactive materials is electrochromic; and

(4) a color-stabilizing additive; and

(d) wherein the electrochromic device exhibits an absolute value of Δ

a* of less than 2.00 after being exposed to 85 degrees centigrade for approximately 2,000 hours.

9. An electrochromic device, comprising:

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

(b) a second substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith;

(c) an electrochromic medium contained within a chamber positioned between the first and second substrates which comprises;

(1) a solvent;

(2) a cathodic electroactive material;

(3) an anodic electroactive material, wherein at least one of the anodic and cathodic electroactive materials is electrochromic; and

(4) a color-stabilizing additive; and

(d) wherein the electrochromic device exhibits an absolute value of Δ

b* of less than 10.00 after being exposed to 85 degrees centigrade for approximately 2,000 hours.

10. The electrochromic device according to claim 9, wherein the electrochromic device exhibits an absolute value of Δ

b* of less than 5.00 after being exposed to 85 degrees centigrade for approximately 2,000 hours.

11. The electrochromic device according to claim 9, wherein the electrochromic device exhibits an absolute value of Δ

b* of less than 1.00 after being exposed to 85 degrees centigrade for approximately 2,000 hours.

12. An electrochromic device, comprising:

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

(b) a second substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith;

(c) an electrochromic medium contained within a chamber positioned between the first and second substrates which comprises;

(1) a solvent;

(2) a cathodic electroactive material;

(3) an anodic electroactive material, wherein at least one of the anodic and cathodic electroactive materials is electrochromic; and

(4) a color-stabilizing additive; and

(d) wherein the electrochromic device exhibits an absolute value of Δ

E of less than 12.00 after being exposed to 85 degrees centigrade for approximately 2,000 hours.

13. The electrochromic device according to claim 12, wherein the electrochromic device exhibits an absolute value of Δ

E of less than 5.00 after being exposed to 85 degrees centigrade for approximately 2,000 hours.

14. The electrochromic device according to claim 12, wherein the electrochromic device exhibits an absolute value of Δ

E of less than 2.00 after being exposed to 85 degrees centigrade for approximately 2,000 hours.

15. An electrochromic device, comprising:

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

(b) a second substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith;

(c) an electrochromic medium contained within a chamber positioned between the first and second substrates which comprises;

(1) a solvent;

(2) a cathodic electroactive material;

(3) an anodic electroactive material, wherein at least one of the anodic and cathodic electroactive materials is electrochromic; and

(4) a color-stabilizing additive; and

(d) wherein the electrochromic device exhibits an absolute value of Δ

Y of less than 10.00 after being exposed to 85 degrees centigrade for approximately 2,000 hours.

16. The electrochromic device according to claim 15, wherein the electrochromic device exhibits an absolute value of Δ

Y of less than 5.00 after being exposed to 85 degrees centigrade for approximately 2,000 hours.

17. The electrochromic device according to claim 15, wherein the electrochromic device exhibits an absolute value of Δ

Y of less than 1.00 after being exposed to 85 degrees centigrade for approximately 2,000 hours.

18. An electrochromic device, comprising:

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

(b) a second substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith;

(c) an electrochromic medium contained within a chamber positioned between the first and second substrates which comprises;

(1) a solvent;

(2) a cathodic electroactive material;

(3) an anodic electroactive material, wherein at least one of the anodic and cathodic electroactive materials is electroactive; and

(4) a color-stabilizing additive; and

(d) wherein the electrochromic device exhibits a reduction in the absolute value of Δ

a* of at least 60% after being exposed to an autoclave pressurized to 400 p.s.i. with oxygen for approximately 2,000 hours at ambient temperature relative to the same device without the color-stabilizing additive.

19. An electrochromic device, comprising:

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

(b) a second substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith;

(c) an electrochromic medium contained within a chamber positioned between the first and second substrates which comprises;

(1) a solvent;

(2) a cathodic electroactive material;

(3) an anodic electroactive material, wherein at least one of the anodic and cathodic electroactive materials is electrochromic; and

(4) a color-stabilizing additive; and

(d) wherein the electrochromic device exhibits a reduction in the absolute value of Δ

b* of at least 20% after being exposed to an autoclave pressurized to 400 p.s.i. with oxygen for approximately 2,000 hours at ambient temperature relative to the same device without the color-stabilizing additive.

20. The electrochromic device according to claim 19, wherein the electrochromic device exhibits a reduction in the absolute value of Δ

b* of at least 40% after being exposed to an autoclave pressurized to 400 p.s.i. with oxygen for approximately 2,000 hours at ambient temperature relative to the same device without the color-stabilizing additive.

21. The electrochromic device according to claim 19, wherein the electrochromic device exhibits a reduction in the absolute value of Δ

b* of at least 60% after being exposed to an autoclave pressurized to 400 p.s.i. with oxygen for approximately 2,000 hours at ambient temperature relative to the same device without the color-stabilizing additive.

22. An electrochromic device, comprising:

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

(b) a second substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith;

(c) an electrochromic medium contained within a chamber positioned between the first and second substrates which comprises;

(1) a solvent;

(2) a cathodic electroactive material;

(3) an anodic electroactive material, wherein at least one of the anodic and cathodic electroactive materials is electrochromic; and

(4) a color-stabilizing additive; and

(d) wherein the electrochromic device exhibits a reduction in the absolute value of Δ

E of at least 20% after being exposed to an autoclave pressurized to 400 p.s.i. with oxygen for approximately 2,000 hours at ambient temperature relative to the same device without the color-stabilizing additive.

23. The electrochromic device according to claim 22, wherein the electrochromic device exhibits a reduction in the absolute value of Δ

E of at least 40% after being exposed to an autoclave pressurized to 400 p.s.i. with oxygen for approximately 2,000 hours at ambient temperature relative to the same device without the color-stabilizing additive.

24. The electrochromic device according to claim 22, wherein the electrochromic device exhibits a reduction in the absolute value of Δ

E of at least 50% after being exposed to an autoclave pressurized to 400 p.s.i. with oxygen for approximately 2,000 hours at ambient temperature relative to the same device without the color-stabilizing additive.

25. An electrochromic device, comprising:

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

(b) a second substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith;

(c) an electrochromic medium contained within a chamber positioned between the first and second substrates which comprises;

(1) a solvent;

(2) a cathodic electroactive material;

(3) an anodic electroactive material, wherein at least one of the anodic and cathodic electroactive materials is electrochromic; and

(4) a color-stabilizing additive; and

(d) wherein the electrochromic device exhibits a reduction in the absolute value of Δ

a* of at least 75% after being exposed to 85 degrees centigrade for approximately 2,000 hours at ambient temperature relative to the same device without the color-stabilizing additive.

26. An electrochromic device, comprising:

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

(b) a second substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith;

(c) an electrochromic medium contained within a chamber positioned between the first and second substrates which comprises;

(1) a solvent;

(2) a cathodic electroactive material;

(3) an anodic electroactive material, wherein at least one of the anodic and cathodic electroactive materials is electrochromic; and

(4) a color-stabilizing additive; and

(d) wherein the electrochromic device exhibits a reduction in the absolute value of Δ

b* of at least 20% after being exposed to 85 degrees centigrade for approximately 2,000 hours at ambient temperature relative to the same device without the color-stabilizing additive.

27. The electrochromic device according to claim 26, wherein the electrochromic device exhibits a reduction in the absolute value of Δ

b* of at least 50% after being exposed to 85 degrees centigrade for approximately 2,000 hours at ambient temperature relative to the same device without the color-stabilizing additive.

28. The electrochromic device according to claim 26, wherein the electrochromic device exhibits a reduction in the absolute value of Δ

b* of at least 75% after being exposed to 85 degrees centigrade for approximately 2,000 hours at ambient temperature relative to the same device without the color-stabilizing additive.

29. An electrochromic device, comprising:

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

(b) a second substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith;

(c) an electrochromic medium contained within a chamber positioned between the first and second substrates which comprises;

(1) a solvent;

(2) a cathodic electroactive material;

(3) an anodic electroactive material, wherein at least one of the anodic and cathodic electroactive materials is electrochromic; and

(4) a color-stabilizing additive; and

(d) wherein the electrochromic device exhibits a reduction in the absolute value of Δ

E of at least 20% after being exposed to 85 degrees centigrade for approximately 2,000 hours at ambient temperature relative to the same device without the color-stabilizing additive.

30. The electrochromic device according to claim 29, wherein the electrochromic device exhibits a reduction in the absolute value of Δ

E of at least 50% after being exposed to 85 degrees centigrade for approximately 2,000 hours at ambient temperature relative to the same device without the color-stabilizing additive.

31. The electrochromic device according to claim 29, wherein the electrochromic device exhibits a reduction in the absolute value of Δ

E of at least 75% after being exposed to 85 degrees centigrade for approximately 2,000 hours at ambient temperature relative to the same device without the color-stabilizing additive.

32. An electrochromic device, comprising:

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

(b) a second substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith;

(c) an electrochromic medium contained within a chamber positioned between the first and second substrates which comprises;

(1) a solvent;

(2) a cathodic electroactive material;

(3) an anodic electroactive material, wherein at least one of the anodic and cathodic electroactive materials is electrochromic; and

(4) a color-stabilizing additive, wherein the color-stabilizing additive is electroactive within a normal operating voltage of the electrochromic device; and

(d) means associated with the color-stabilizing additive for maintaining an at least nearly colorless electrochromic device while the electrochromic device is in an open circuit state relative to the same device without the color-stabilizing additive.

33. The electrochromic device according to claim 32, wherein said electrochromic medium comprises a viscosity modifier.

34. The electrochromic device according to claim 32, wherein said electrochromic medium comprises a free-standing gel.

35. The electrochromic device according to claim 32, wherein said electrochromic medium comprises a crosslinked polymer matrix.

36. An electrochromic device, comprising:

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

(b) a second substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith;

(c) an electrochromic medium contained within a chamber positioned between the first and second substrates which comprises;

(1) a solvent;

(2) a cathodic electroactive material;

(3) an anodic electroactive material, wherein at least one of the anodic and cathodic electroactive materials is electrochromic; and

(4) a color-stabilizing additive, wherein the color-stabilizing additive is electroactive within a normal operating voltage of the electrochromic device; and

(d) means associated with the additive for maintaining an at least nearly colorless electrochromic device while the electrochromic device is in a zero potential state relative to the same device without the color-stabilizing additive.

37. The electrochromic device according to claim 36, wherein said electrochromic medium comprises a viscosity modifier.

38. The electrochromic device according to claim 36, wherein said electrochromic medium comprises a free-standing gel.

39. The electrochromic device according to claim 36, wherein said electrochromic medium comprises a crosslinked polymer matrix.