Electrochromic display panel and electronic paper

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electrochromic display panel and an electronic paper, which comprise a first substrate, an electrochromic pixel array layer and a second substrate arranged in sequence. The electrochromic pixel array layer includes a plurality of independently controlled electrochromic units arranged in an array. The electrochromic unit includes a first electrode, a black electrochromic pixel layer and a second electrode arranged in sequence. The first electrode has a first opposite surface opposite to the second electrode, and the second electrode has a second opposite surface opposite to the first electrode. An uneven surface is provided on the first opposite surface and / or the second opposite surface. The present invention forms the electrochromic unit with the black electrochromic pixel layer, which can realize black, gray and white displays. An uneven surface is provided on the electrodes in the electrochromic pixel array, so that the distribution of the electric field between the two electrodes is more uniform, thereby enhancing its conductivity effect and accelerating the color change effect of the color change layer. Moreover, the structure is simple and easy to prepare, and at the same time, it has a better display effect.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrochromic display panel and an electronic paper, belonging to the field of display technology. Background Art

[0002] Electrochromism (EC) refers to the phenomenon that the optical properties (reflectivity, transmittance, absorptivity, etc.) of a material undergo stable and reversible color changes under the action of an external electric field, which is manifested as reversible changes in color and transparency in appearance. Materials with electrochromic properties are called electrochromic materials, and devices made of electrochromic materials are called electrochromic devices. Electrochromic materials are one of the hotspots in the research of materials science in recent years. Electrochromic materials are an important part of electrochromic devices and dominate the electrochromic performance of the devices. According to the structural properties of the materials, electrochromic materials can be divided into anodic electrochromic materials (ion insertion coloring) and cathodic electrochromic materials (ion extraction coloring). Anodic electrochromic materials and cathodic electrochromic materials can be assembled into complementary electrochromic devices, and such complementary devices can improve the overall electrochromic performance, such as optical contrast, color change, spectral absorption range, etc. At present, the existing electrochromic display panels and electronic papers have the following problems:

[0003] 1) The electrochromic layer is often formed by injecting a liquid electrochromic material into a gap, which easily causes the electrode above the gap to collapse due to the pressure difference, and its encapsulation is difficult and leakage is likely to occur, seriously affecting the quality of the electrochromic display panel;

[0004] 2) When the ambient light is weak, its display effect is poor, which is not convenient for users to use;

[0005] 3) Existing electronic papers often cannot display pure black, or the device structure for displaying pure black is complex and the response speed is slow;

[0006] 4) The non-uniformity of the applied electric field is relatively large, thus affecting the insulation strength of the dielectric;

[0007] 5) Under the same other conditions, the more non-uniform the electric field is, the lower the insulation strength of the dielectric is, and it is easy for other materials to contact the dielectric layer and thus a corrosion reaction occurs. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The purpose of the present invention is to provide an electrochromic display panel and an electronic paper, which can display black, gray and white, and the electric field distribution between the electrodes is uniform, and the structure is simple and easy to prepare.

[0009] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following technical solution: an electrochromic display panel, comprising a first substrate, an electrochromic pixel array layer, and a second substrate arranged in sequence. The electrochromic pixel array layer includes a plurality of electrochromic units arranged in an array and independently controlled. The electrochromic unit includes a first electrode, a black electrochromic pixel layer, and a second electrode arranged in sequence. The first electrode has a first opposite surface opposite to the second electrode, and the second electrode has a second opposite surface opposite to the first electrode. An uneven surface is provided on the first opposite surface and / or the second opposite surface.

[0010] Further, the uneven surface is selected from any one of an arc surface, a wavy surface, a ramp surface, or a wedge surface.

[0011] Further, the uneven surface is selected from any combination of an arc surface, a wavy surface, a ramp surface, a wedge surface, and a planar surface.

[0012] Further, the first electrode and / or the second electrode is a transparent electrode.

[0013] Further, the electrochromic display panel further includes a reflective layer, and the reflective layer is disposed between the first substrate and the electrochromic pixel array layer.

[0014] Further, the electrochromic display panel further includes an adhesive layer, the adhesive layer is disposed between the reflective layer and the electrochromic pixel array layer, and the first electrode is adhered to the reflective layer through the adhesive layer.

[0015] Further, the thickness of the reflective layer is 1 - 70 μm, and the thickness of the adhesive layer is 1 - 40 μm.

[0016] Further, the reflective layer is formed by a polymer resin and white particles.

[0017] Further, the electrochromic unit further includes an ion storage layer and a conductive layer sequentially disposed between the first electrode and the black electrochromic pixel layer.

[0018] Further, the conductive layer and the ion storage layer are in a solid state structure.

[0019] Further, the black electrochromic pixel layer is provided with an electrochromic material, and the electrochromic material is selected from any one or more of an organic electrochromic material, an inorganic electrochromic material, or a composite electrochromic material.

[0020] Further, the inorganic electrochromic material includes metal oxides, preferably tungsten trioxide and nickel oxide.

[0021] Further, the organic electrochromic material is preferably any one or more of viologens, isophthalates, metal phthalocyanines, pyridine metal complexes, polyanilines, polypyrroles, and polythiophenes.

[0022] The present invention also provides an electronic paper, which includes the above-mentioned electrochromic display panel.

[0023] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: The electrochromic display panel and the electronic paper of the present invention arrange the electrochromic pixel array between the first substrate and the second substrate, and uneven surfaces are provided on the electrodes in the electrochromic pixel array, making the distribution of the electric field between the two electrodes more uniform, thereby enhancing its conductivity effect and accelerating the color change effect of the color change layer; the electrochromic display panel and the electronic paper form electrochromic units with black electrochromic pixel layers, can achieve black, gray, and white displays, have a simple structure, are easy to prepare, and have a better display effect at the same time.

[0024] Moreover, the electrochromic display panel and the electronic paper fix the electrochromic pixel array to the white reflective layer in a bonding manner, eliminating the encapsulation step of the liquid electrochromic material, and avoiding the phenomenon that the electrodes located above the gap collapse due to the pressure difference and are prone to liquid leakage, saving production costs and improving product quality.

[0025] The above description is only an overview of the technical solution of the present invention. In order to be able to understand the technical means of the present invention more clearly and implement it according to the content of the specification, the following takes the preferred embodiments of the present invention and combines with the drawings to describe in detail as follows. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Figure 1 is a top view of the electrochromic display panel shown in the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2a and Figure 2b is a schematic structural diagram of the electrochromic display panel shown in the present invention;

[0028] Figure 3 is another schematic structural diagram of the electrochromic display panel shown in the present invention;

[0029] Figures 4 to 6 is a schematic structural diagram of the uneven surface in the electrochromic display panel shown in the present invention;

[0030] Figure 7 is a schematic structural diagram of the electrochromic display panel according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 8 is a schematic structural diagram of the electrochromic display panel according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 9 Schematic structural diagram of the electrochromic display panel shown in Embodiment III of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 10 Partial schematic structural diagram of the electrochromic display panel shown in Embodiment IV of the present invention. Detailed implementation manners

[0034] The following further describes in detail the specific implementation manners of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. The following embodiments are used to illustrate the present invention, but are not used to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0035] Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 1 and Figure 2a In the vertical direction 10, the electrochromic display panel of the present invention includes a first substrate 1, an electrochromic pixel array layer 3, and a second substrate 4 arranged in sequence. The electrochromic pixel array layer 3 includes a plurality of electrochromic units 30 arranged in an array and independently controlled. The electrochromic unit 30 includes a first electrode 31, a black electrochromic pixel layer 32, and a second electrode 33 arranged in sequence. When powered on, the black electrochromic pixel layer 32 turns black, and when powered off, the black electrochromic pixel layer 32 is transparent. Wherein, the first electrode 31 has a first opposite surface 311 opposite to the second electrode 33, the second electrode 33 has a second opposite surface 331 opposite to the first electrode 31, and an uneven surface is provided on the first opposite surface 311 and / or the second opposite surface 331.

[0036] Please combine Figure 2b The electrochromic display panel of the present invention further includes a reflective layer 2, and the reflective layer 2 is disposed between the first substrate 1 and the electrochromic pixel array layer 3. In the vertical direction 10, the electrochromic display panel includes the first substrate 1, the reflective layer 2, the electrochromic pixel array layer 3, and the second substrate 4 stacked in sequence from bottom to top. The electrochromic pixel array layer 3 includes a plurality of electrochromic units 30 arranged in an array and independently controlled. The electrochromic unit 30 includes a first electrode 31, a black electrochromic pixel layer 32, and a second electrode 33 arranged in sequence. When powered on, the black electrochromic pixel layer 32 turns black, and when powered off, the black electrochromic pixel layer 32 is transparent. Wherein, the first electrode 31 has a first opposite surface 311 opposite to the second electrode 33, the second electrode 33 has a second opposite surface 331 opposite to the first electrode 31, and an uneven surface is provided on the first opposite surface 311 and / or the second opposite surface 331.

[0037] The electrochromic unit 30 can not only achieve pure black display, but also achieve grayscale display.

[0038] In the present invention, a solid-state ion storage layer 34 and a conductive layer 35 are further provided in the electrochromic unit 30. The ion storage layer 34 and the conductive layer 35 are sequentially stacked between the first electrode 31 and the black electrochromic pixel layer 32. The ion storage layer 34 is disposed on the first electrode 31, the conductive layer 35 is disposed on the ion storage layer 34, and the black electrochromic pixel layer 32 is disposed on the conductive layer 35.

[0039] In the present invention, the reflective layer 2 is formed of a polymer resin and white particles. The polymer resin may be selected from any one of phenolic resin, epoxy resin, polyamide resin, polyurethane resin, or acrylic resin. The white particles may be selected from any one or more of alumina, zinc oxide, titanium oxide, or silica. The reflective layer 2 is preferably a white reflective layer. The black electrochromic pixel layer 32 has a solid-state structure. As Figure 3 shown, when the reflective layer 2 has no adhesiveness, the first electrode 31 can be adhered to the reflective layer 2 through the adhesive layer 21 provided between the reflective layer 2 and the electrochromic pixel array layer 3, and the setting of the adhesive layer 21 can increase the stability. Among them, the thickness of the reflective layer 2 is preferably 1-40 μm, and the thickness of the adhesive layer 21 is preferably 1-40 μm. When the reflective layer 2 has adhesiveness, that is, a viscous polymer resin is selected, the first electrode 31 can be directly adhered to the reflective layer 2. Among them, the thickness of the reflective layer 2 is preferably 10-70 μm. Through this setting, both the stability and flatness of the electrochromic display panel of this structure are ensured, and phenomena that are not conducive to the display effect such as Newton's rings can be avoided or reduced.

[0040] In the present invention, the uneven surface is selected from any one of an arc surface, a wavy surface, a ramp surface, or a wedge surface, preferably an arc surface and a wavy surface; or, the uneven surface is selected from any combination of an arc surface, a wavy surface, a ramp surface, a wedge surface, and a flat surface.

[0041] Please refer to Figures 4 to 6 (illustrated by the view of the first electrode 31). Since usually, an electric field boundary effect will occur at the boundary of the electrode, in order to make the electric field distribution between the first electrode 31 and the second electrode 33 reach the best effect, here it is described that an arc surface, a wavy surface, or a combination of a wavy surface and a flat surface is provided on the first opposite surface 311 and / or the second opposite surface 331. The two opposite surfaces can be mirror-symmetrically arranged. Of course, only one of the first opposite surface 311 and the second opposite surface 331 may be provided with an arc surface, a wavy surface, or a combination of a wavy surface and a flat surface. In the present invention, a ramp surface or a wedge surface, or other combination methods of an arc surface, a wavy surface, a ramp surface, a wedge surface, and a flat surface may also be provided on the first opposite surface 311 and / or the second opposite surface 331. However, considering the manufacturing technical difficulty and cost, it is preferably set by using an arc surface or a wavy surface or a combination of a wavy surface and a flat surface. Among them, asFigure 6 As shown, the wavy surface can be distributed more densely near the edge of the first electrode 31 or the second electrode 33 than near the center of the first electrode 31 or the second electrode 33, so as to better reduce the influence caused by the electric field boundary effect.

[0042] In the present invention, the first substrate 1 and the second substrate 4 are transparent substrates, and the first electrode 31 and the second electrode 33 are transparent electrodes, wherein the first electrode 31 and the second electrode 33 are linear structures or planar structures, preferably mesh structures.

[0043] The black electrochromic pixel layer 32 in the present invention is provided with an electrochromic material, which is selected from any one or more of organic electrochromic materials, inorganic electrochromic materials or composite electrochromic materials. Among them, the inorganic electrochromic materials include metal oxides, preferably tungsten trioxide and nickel oxide; the organic electrochromic materials are preferably any one or more of viologens, isophthalates, metal phthalocyanines, pyridine metal complexes, polyanilines, polypyrroles, polythiophenes, etc., which can be prepared by methods such as sputtering, chemical vapor deposition, sol-gel or evaporation, or can be prepared by drying and curing a liquid electrochromic material. The first electrode 31 and the second electrode 33 of the present invention are selected from any one of indium tin oxide (ITO), fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) or a conductive polymer. The first substrate 1 and the second substrate 4 can be transparent inorganic substrates such as quartz or glass, or can be transparent plastics, or other common transparent materials.

[0044] The present invention also provides an electronic paper (not shown), which includes the above-mentioned electrochromic display panel, and other structures are all prior arts and will not be described herein.

[0045] The present invention will be further described in detail below with specific embodiments.

[0046] Example 1

[0047] Please refer to Figure 7, the electrochromic display panel shown in this embodiment includes a first substrate 1-1, an electrochromic pixel array 1-2, and a second substrate 1-3 arranged in sequence from bottom to top. The electrochromic pixel array layer 1-2 includes a number of independently controlled electrochromic units 1-20 arranged in an array. The electrochromic unit 1-20 includes a first transparent electrode 1-21, an ion storage layer 1-22, a conductive layer 1-23, a black electrochromic pixel layer 1-24, and a second transparent electrode 1-25 arranged in sequence from bottom to top. The black electrochromic pixel layer 1-24 is formed of an electrochromic material. When powered on, the black electrochromic pixel layer 1-24 turns black, and when powered off, the black electrochromic pixel layer 1-24 is transparent, so that the electrochromic display panel can achieve black, gray, and white displays. Among them, the first transparent electrode 1-21 has a first opposite surface 1-211 opposite to the second transparent electrode 1-25, and the second transparent electrode 1-25 has a second opposite surface 1-251 opposite to the first transparent electrode 1-21. In order to make the electric field distribution between the first transparent electrode 1-21 and the second transparent electrode 1-25 more uniform, in this embodiment, arc surfaces are provided on the first opposite surface 1-211 and the second opposite surface 1-251.

[0048] Embodiment 2

[0049] Please refer to Figure 8 , the electrochromic display panel shown in this embodiment includes a first substrate 2-1, an electrochromic pixel array 2-2, and a second substrate 2-3 arranged in sequence from bottom to top. The electrochromic pixel array layer 2-2 includes a number of independently controlled electrochromic units 2-20 arranged in an array. The electrochromic unit 2-20 includes a first transparent electrode 2-21, an ion storage layer 2-22, a conductive layer 2-23, a black electrochromic pixel layer 2-24, and a second transparent electrode 2-25 arranged in sequence from bottom to top. Among them, the first transparent electrode 2-21 has a first opposite surface 2-211 opposite to the second transparent electrode 2-25, and the second transparent electrode 2-25 has a second opposite surface 2-251 opposite to the first transparent electrode 2-21. In order to make the electric field distribution between the first transparent electrode 2-21 and the second transparent electrode 2-25 more uniform, in this embodiment, wavy surfaces are also provided on the first transparent electrode 2-21 and the second transparent electrode 2-25, so as to avoid the generation of electric field boundary effects and make the electric field distribution more uniform.

[0050] Embodiment 3

[0051] Please refer to Figure 9, the structure of the electrochromic display panel in this embodiment is basically the same as that in Embodiment 2, and the difference lies in that: the first opposite surface 3-211 and the second opposite surface 3-251 in this embodiment are arranged in a combination of a wavy surface and a planar surface, and their distribution near the edges of the first transparent electrode 3-21 and the second transparent electrode 3-25 is set to be denser than that near the centers of the first transparent electrode 3-21 or the second transparent electrode 3-25, so as to avoid the occurrence of the electric field boundary effect and make the electric field distribution more uniform.

[0052] Embodiment 4

[0053] Please refer to Figure 10 , the structure of the electrochromic display panel in this embodiment is basically the same as that in Embodiment 2, and the difference lies in that: a reflective layer 4-4 and an adhesive layer 4-41 are provided between the first substrate 4-1 and the electrochromic pixel array 4-2 in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the reflective layer 4-4 is composed of phenolic resin and dispersed titanium oxide and is provided on the first substrate 4-1 by spin coating. Moreover, the thickness of the reflective layer 4-4 is 20 μm, and the thickness of the adhesive layer 4-41 is 15 μm. Compared with using a sticky reflective layer to adhere the electrochromic pixel array 4-2, better adhesion effect can be achieved by providing the adhesive layer 4-41, so that the electrochromic pixel array 4-2 is more stably fixed on the reflective layer 4-4.

[0054] In summary: The electrochromic display panel and the electronic paper of the present invention arrange the electrochromic pixel array between the first substrate and the second substrate, and uneven surfaces are provided on the electrodes in the electrochromic pixel array, so that the distribution of the electric field between the two electrodes is more uniform, thereby enhancing its conductivity effect and accelerating the color change effect of the color change layer; the electrochromic display panel and the electronic paper form electrochromic units with black electrochromic pixel layers, can achieve black, gray and white displays, have a simple structure, are easy to prepare, and have good display effects at the same time.

[0055] Moreover, the electrochromic display panel and the electronic paper fix the electrochromic pixel array on the white reflective layer in a bonding manner, eliminating the packaging step of the liquid electrochromic material, and avoiding the phenomenon that the electrodes above the gap collapse due to the pressure difference and are prone to liquid leakage, saving the production cost and improving the product quality.

[0056] The technical features of the above-described embodiments can be combined arbitrarily. For the sake of concise description, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, it should be considered to be within the scope described in this specification.

[0057] The above-described embodiments merely represent several implementation manners of the present invention. The description is relatively specific and detailed, but it should not be construed as a limitation on the scope of the invention patent. It should be noted that for those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the concept of the present invention, several modifications and improvements can still be made, and these all fall within the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention patent shall be subject to the appended claims.

Claims

1. An electrochromic display panel, characterized in that, it comprises a first substrate, an electrochromic pixel array layer and a second substrate arranged in sequence. The electrochromic pixel array layer comprises a plurality of electrochromic units arranged in an array and independently controlled. The electrochromic unit comprises a first electrode, a black electrochromic pixel layer and a second electrode arranged in sequence; the first electrode has a first opposite surface opposite to the second electrode, the second electrode has a second opposite surface opposite to the first electrode, and an uneven surface is provided on the first opposite surface and / or the second opposite surface; the uneven surface is arranged such that its distribution near the edge of the first electrode or the second electrode is denser than that near the center of the first electrode or the second electrode; the electrochromic unit further comprises an ion storage layer and a conductive layer arranged in sequence between the first electrode and the black electrochromic pixel layer.

2. The electrochromic display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, the uneven surface is selected from any one of an arc surface, a wavy surface, a ramp surface or a wedge surface.

3. The electrochromic display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, the uneven surface is selected from any combination of an arc surface, a wavy surface, a ramp surface, a wedge surface and a planar surface.

4. The electrochromic display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, the first electrode and / or the second electrode is a transparent electrode.

5. The electrochromic display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, the electrochromic display panel further comprises a reflective layer, and the reflective layer is arranged between the first substrate and the electrochromic pixel array layer.

6. The electrochromic display panel according to claim 5, characterized in that, the electrochromic display panel further comprises an adhesive layer, the adhesive layer is arranged between the reflective layer and the electrochromic pixel array layer, and the first electrode is adhered to the reflective layer through the adhesive layer.

7. The electrochromic display panel according to claim 5, characterized in that, the thickness of the reflective layer is 1 - 70 μm, and the thickness of the adhesive layer is 1 - 40 μm.

8. The electrochromic display panel according to claim 5, characterized in that, the reflective layer is formed by a polymer resin and white particles.

9. The electrochromic display panel according to claim 8, characterized in that, the conductive layer and the ion storage layer are in a solid state structure.

10. The electrochromic display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, the black electrochromic pixel layer is provided with an electrochromic material, and the electrochromic material is selected from any one or more of an organic electrochromic material, an inorganic electrochromic material or a composite electrochromic material.

11. The electrochromic display panel according to claim 10, characterized in that, the inorganic electrochromic material comprises a metal oxide.

12. The electrochromic display panel according to claim 11, characterized in that, the metal oxide is any one of tungsten trioxide or nickel oxide.

13. The electrochromic display panel according to claim 10, characterized in that, The organic electrochromic material is any one or more of viologens, isophthalates, metal phthalocyanines, pyridine metal complexes, polyanilines, polypyrroles, polythiophenes.

14. An electronic paper, characterized in that, it includes the electrochromic display panel according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

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