Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-r5fsc Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-26T10:01:37.716Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Switchable window based on electrochromic polymers

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 March 2011

Chunye Xu*
Affiliation:
University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195
Lu Liu
Affiliation:
University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195
Susan E. Legenski
Affiliation:
University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195
Dai Ning
Affiliation:
University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195
Minoru Taya
Affiliation:
University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195
*
a) Address all correspondence to this author. e-mail: [email protected]
Get access

Abstract

A large contrast ratio (>ΔΤ = 60%) and rapid switching (0.3–1 s) electrochromic (EC) polymer device that consists of a laminated two-layer structure between two electrodes was prepared. The new design consists of an indium tin oxide (ITO) glass electrode, a cathodic EC polymer film, a solid electrolyte, and a counterelectrode that replaces the anodic EC polymer and ITO electrode. Four EC polymers including two new EC polymers, Poly[3-methyl-3′-propyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-thieno(3,4-b)(1,4)dioxepine] (PProDOT-MePro) and Poly[3,3-diethyl-3,4-dihydro-2H,7H-(1,4)dioxepino(2,3-c)pyrrole] (PProDOP-Et2), were synthesized as cathodic EC polymers. A carbon-based counterelectrode was prepared for comparison with an Au-based counterelectrode. Several kinds of polymer gel electrolytes were prepared for comparison. The devices (windows) were increased in area from 0.028 × 0.04 in.2, 1 × 1 in.2 to 3 × 3 in.2 Three main components, the EC polymer film, the gel electrolyte, and the counterelectrode, were studied and their optical properties, conductivities, and repeatabilities were compared. The effects of window size on the contrast ratio, switching speed, power usage, and repeatability were studied.

Type
Articles—Organic Electronics Special Section
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2004

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

1.Xu, C., Liu, L., Legenski, S., Guilly, M. Le, Taya, M. and Weidner, A.: Enhanced smart window based on electrochromic (EC) polymers. Smart Structures and Materials 2003. Proceeding of SPIE. 5051, 404 (2003).Google Scholar
2.Xu, C., Tamagawa, H., Uchida, M. and Taya, M.: Enhanced contrast ratios and rapid switching color changeable devices based on poly(3,4-propylenedioxythiophene) derivative and counterelectrode. Smart Structures and Materials 2002. Proceeding of SPIE. 4695, 442 (2002).Google Scholar
3.Lampert, C.M.: Large-area smart glass and integrated photovoltaics. Solar Energy Mater. 76, 489 (2003).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
4.Lundstrom, D. and Yilbar, J.: Liquid crystal materials: Experimental material physics. Available at http://www.kth.se/fakulteter/tfy/kmf/lcd/lcd-1.htm.Google Scholar
5.Thompson, B.C., Schottland, P., Zong, K. and Reynolds, J.R.: In situ colorimetric analysis of electrochromic polymers and devices. Chem. Mater. 12, 1563 (2000).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
6.Sapp, S.A., Sotzing, G.A. and Reynolds, J.R.: High contrast ratio and fast-swiching dual polymer electrochromic devices. Chem. Mater. 10, 2101 (1998).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
7.Welsh, D.M., Kumar, A., Meijer, E.W. and Reynolds, J.R.: Enhanced contrast ratios and rapid switching in electrochromics based on poly(3,4-propylenedioxythiophene) derivatives. Adv. Mater. 11, 1379 (1999).3.0.CO;2-Q>CrossRefGoogle Scholar
8.Nishikitani, Y., Asano, T., Uchida, S. and Kuba, T.: Thermal and optical behavior of electrochromic windows fabricated with carbon–based counterelectrode. Electrochim. Acta. 44, 3211 (1999).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
9.Sotzing, G.A., Reddinger, J.L., Katritzky, A.R., Soloducho, J., Musgrave, R., Reynolds, J.R. and Steel, P.J.: Multiply colored electrochromic carbazole-based polymers. Chem. Mater. 9, 1578 (1997).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
10.Lapkowski, M. and Pron, A.: Electrochemical oxidation of poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)—“in situ” conductivity and spectroscopic investigations. Synth. Met. 110, 79 (2000).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
11.Schwendeman, I., Hwang, J.H., Welsh, D.M., Tanner, D.B. and Reynolds, J.R.: Combined visible and infrared electrochromism using dual polymer devices. Adv. Mater. 13, 634 (2001).3.0.CO;2-3>CrossRefGoogle Scholar
12.Merz, A., Schropp, R. and Dotterl, E.: 3,4-Dialkoxypyrroles and 2,3,7,8,12,13,17,18-octaalkoxyporphyrins. Synthesis 7, 795 (1995).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
13.Agnihotry, S.A. and Pradeep, S.S.: Sekhon, PMMA based gel electrolyte for EC smart windows. Electrochim. Acta. 44, 3121 (1999).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
14.Su, L., Fang, J., Xiao, Z. and Lu, Z.: An all-solid-state Electrochromic display device of prussian blue and WO3 particulate film with a PMMA gel electrolyte. Thin Solid Films 306, 133 (1997).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
15.Su, L., Fang, J., Xiao, Z. and Lu, Z.: All solid-state elecrtochromic window of electrodeposited WO3 and Prussian blue film with PVC gel electrolyte. Thin Solid Films 320, 285 (1998).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
16.Sekhon, S.S. and Deepa, S.A.: Agnihotry, solvent effect on gel electrolytes containing lithium salts. Solid State Ionics 136, 1189 (2000).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
17.Legenski, S., Xu, C., Liu, L., M. Le Guilly, and Taya, M., Gel electrolyte candidates for electrochromic devices (ECDs), Smart Structures and Material, Proc. of SPIE. 5385 (2004, in press).Google Scholar