Display panel and preparation method thereof

Abstract

The application discloses a display panel and a preparation method thereof. The display panel comprises a first transparent substrate, a transparent electrode layer, an electrochromic pixel layer, a transparent counter electrode layer and a second transparent substrate. The electrochromic pixel layer comprises a plurality of pixel units, each of which has a first transparent state and a first color display state. Each pixel unit comprises a plurality of pixel sub-units. The projection areas of the plurality of pixel sub-units on the first transparent substrate do not overlap. The plurality of pixel sub-units in the same pixel unit display different colors in the first color display state. The transparent counter electrode layer and the transparent electrode layer can drive each pixel unit to switch between the first transparent state and the first color display state. The display panel prepared by using the pixel unit of the electrochromic technology is a non-active light-emitting device. The display performance of the display panel under strong light irradiation is improved by the absorption and transmission characteristics of the electrochromic material to the ambient light, and the display performance is not affected by the ambient light.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of display technology, and in particular relates to a display panel and its manufacturing method. Background Technology

[0002] With the continuous development of display technology, the demand for transparent display technology is constantly increasing. Transparent display technology is commonly used in fields such as liquid crystal display panels and organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display panels. For example, OLED display panels can achieve transparent display functionality by relying on the light-emitting characteristics of LEDs to control the grayscale and color of the display panel, as well as through a high aperture ratio design. However, OLED display panels are active light-emitting devices; when ambient light strikes the display panel, it mixes with the light emitted by the LEDs, causing the display panel to be significantly affected by ambient light and thus reducing its display performance. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This application provides a display panel and a method for manufacturing the same, which improves the display performance of the display panel.

[0004] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a display panel, including:

[0005] First transparent substrate;

[0006] A transparent electrode layer is disposed on the first transparent substrate;

[0007] An electrochromic pixel layer is disposed on the transparent electrode layer. The electrochromic pixel layer includes multiple pixel units, each pixel unit having a first transparent state and a first color-changing state. Each pixel unit includes multiple pixel sub-units, the orthographic projection areas of the multiple pixel sub-units on the first transparent substrate do not overlap, and the multiple pixel sub-units within the same pixel unit display different colors in the first color-changing state.

[0008] A transparent counter electrode layer is disposed at a distance from the electrochromic pixel layer and is located on the side of the electrochromic pixel layer away from the transparent electrode layer. The transparent counter electrode layer and the transparent electrode layer can drive each pixel unit to switch between the first transparent state and the first color-changing state.

[0009] A second transparent substrate is disposed on the transparent counter electrode layer and is disposed opposite to the first transparent substrate.

[0010] Optionally, in some embodiments, the display panel further includes a thin-film transistor array circuit layer disposed between the first transparent substrate and the transparent electrode layer. The thin-film transistor array circuit layer includes a plurality of thin-film transistors, and the transparent electrode layer includes a plurality of transparent sub-electrodes. The plurality of thin-film transistors correspond one-to-one with the plurality of transparent sub-electrodes, and the plurality of transparent sub-electrodes correspond one-to-one with the plurality of pixel sub-units.

[0011] Optionally, in some embodiments, the thin-film transistor corresponding to each pixel sub-unit has a gate voltage, the magnitude of which has a grayscale correspondence with the chromaticity and / or transmittance of the color displayed by each pixel sub-unit in the first color rendering state.

[0012] Optionally, in some embodiments, the display panel further includes an electrolyte layer disposed on the electrochromic pixel layer, the electrolyte layer including one of liquid electrolyte, semi-solid electrolyte and all-solid electrolyte, and the transmittance of the electrolyte layer is greater than 90%.

[0013] Optionally, in some embodiments, the display panel further includes a transparent ion storage layer disposed between the electrolyte layer and the transparent counter electrode layer. The transparent ion storage layer can absorb ions in the electrolyte layer to prevent the ions in the electrolyte layer from reacting with the transparent counter electrode layer.

[0014] Optionally, in some embodiments, the material of the electrochromic pixel layer includes a first electrochromic material, which is in the first color-changing state under the action of an electric field and in the first transparent state under the action of no electric field.

[0015] Optionally, in some embodiments, the transparent ion storage layer has a second transparent state and a second color-changing state. The material of the transparent ion storage layer includes a second electrochromic material. The second electrochromic material is in the second transparent state under the action of an electric field and in the second color-changing state without the action of the electric field. The transmittance of the transparent ion storage layer in both the second transparent state and the second color-changing state is greater than 80%.

[0016] Optionally, in some embodiments, the material of the transparent electrode layer includes a metal oxide, the material of the transparent counter electrode layer is the same as that of the transparent electrode layer, and the transmittance of both the transparent electrode layer and the transparent counter electrode layer is greater than 80%.

[0017] Secondly, embodiments of this application also provide a method for manufacturing a display panel, comprising:

[0018] A first transparent substrate and a second transparent substrate are provided, which are disposed opposite to each other;

[0019] A transparent electrode layer is formed on the first transparent substrate;

[0020] An electrochromic pixel layer is formed on the transparent electrode layer, wherein the electrochromic pixel layer includes a plurality of pixel units, each pixel unit has a first transparent state and a first color-changing state, each pixel unit includes a plurality of pixel sub-units, the orthographic projection areas of the plurality of pixel sub-units on the first transparent substrate do not overlap, and the plurality of pixel sub-units within the same pixel unit display different colors in the first color-changing state;

[0021] A transparent counter electrode layer is formed on the side of the second transparent substrate facing the first transparent substrate. The transparent counter electrode layer and the transparent electrode layer can drive each pixel unit to switch between the first transparent state and the first color-changing state.

[0022] Optionally, in some embodiments, after forming the transparent counter electrode layer on the side of the second transparent substrate facing the first transparent substrate, the method further includes:

[0023] A transparent ion storage layer is formed on the side of the transparent counter electrode layer facing the first transparent substrate.

[0024] Optionally, in some embodiments, after forming the transparent ion storage layer on the side of the transparent counter electrode layer facing the first transparent substrate, the method further includes:

[0025] An electrolyte layer is formed between the electrochromic pixel layer and the transparent ion storage layer.

[0026] The display panel provided in this application embodiment includes a first transparent substrate; a transparent electrode layer; an electrochromic pixel layer including multiple pixel units, each pixel unit having a first transparent state and a first color-changing state, each pixel unit including multiple pixel sub-units, the orthographic projection areas of the multiple pixel sub-units on the first transparent substrate do not overlap, and the multiple pixel sub-units within the same pixel unit display different colors in the first color-changing state; a transparent counter electrode layer, which is disposed at a distance from the electrochromic pixel layer and located on the side of the electrochromic pixel layer away from the transparent electrode layer, the transparent counter electrode layer and the transparent electrode layer can drive each pixel unit to switch between the first transparent state and the first color-changing state. The display panel fabricated using pixel units with electrochromic technology is a non-active light-emitting device. Due to its absorption and transmission characteristics of ambient light, it transmits ambient light of the wavelength corresponding to the color displayed by the pixel unit in the first color rendering state, and absorbs ambient light of the wavelength corresponding to other colors besides the displayed color, so that the electrochromic pixel layer is in the first color rendering state. The transparent counter electrode layer and the transparent electrode layer drive each pixel unit to switch between the first transparent state and the first color rendering state. Since no light source mixed with ambient light is generated in the display panel, ambient light will not affect its display performance, thus improving the display performance of the display panel under strong light. Attached Figure Description

[0027] The technical solution and its beneficial effects will become apparent from the following detailed description of specific embodiments of this application, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the display panel provided in the embodiment of this application.

[0029] Figure 2 This is a schematic flowchart of the method for manufacturing a display panel provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0030] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the first intermediate product of the display panel provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0031] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the second intermediate product of the display panel provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0032] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the third intermediate product of the display panel provided in the embodiments of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0033] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0034] Unless otherwise defined, the technical or scientific terms used in this disclosure shall have the ordinary meaning understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. The terms “first,” “second,” and similar terms used in this disclosure do not indicate any order, quantity, or importance, but are merely used to distinguish different components. Similarly, the terms “an,” “a,” or “the,” and similar terms do not indicate a quantity limitation, but rather indicate the presence of at least one. The terms “comprising,” “including,” or “including,” and similar terms mean that the element or object preceding the word encompasses the element or object listed following the word and its equivalents, without excluding other elements or objects. The terms “connected,” “linked,” and similar terms are not limited to physical or mechanical connections, but can include electrical connections, whether direct or indirect. The terms “upper,” “lower,” “left,” and “right,” etc., are used only to indicate relative positional relationships, and these relative positional relationships may change accordingly when the absolute position of the described object changes.

[0035] In related technologies, display panels with transparent display capabilities exhibit poor display performance under strong light, resulting in issues such as low contrast and poor color gamut. For example, a transparent display panel with approximately 50% transmittance emits light at an illuminance of 500 lx (lux), while the ambient light illuminance indoors is typically between 500 and 1000 lx. When the display panel emits light, 50% of the ambient light is incident on it. Because the illuminances are similar, the ambient light mixes with the light emitted by the display panel, significantly reducing its display performance. If the display panel is outdoors, where the ambient light illuminance exceeds 10,000 lx, its display performance will be further degraded.

[0036] To address the problems existing in related technologies, this application provides a display panel. Please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 1 , Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a display panel provided in an embodiment of this application. The display panel 100 may include a first transparent substrate 110, a thin film transistor array circuit layer 120, a transparent electrode layer 130, an electrochromic pixel layer 140, and a transparent counter electrode layer 150.

[0037] The first transparent substrate 110 can be a rigid substrate, such as glass or quartz, or it can be a flexible substrate, such as a transparent plastic substrate made of materials such as polyethylene terephthalate, polymethyl methacrylate, polyethylene naphthalate, polycarbonate, polystyrene, or polypropylene.

[0038] A thin-film transistor array circuit layer 120 is disposed on a first transparent substrate 110. The thin-film transistor array circuit layer includes multiple thin-film transistors 121 arranged in an array. Depending on the fabrication method, the thin-film transistors 121 can be classified as back-channel etched thin-film transistors, etched capacitor thin-film transistors, top-gate self-aligned thin-film transistors, etched barrier layer thin-film transistors, etc. Depending on the material used, the thin-film transistors 121 can be classified as amorphous silicon thin-film transistors, polycrystalline silicon thin-film transistors, oxide thin-film transistors, etc. Each thin-film transistor 121 includes at least a gate, a source, and a drain to achieve the switching characteristics of the thin-film transistor 121. The aperture ratio of the thin-film transistor 121 is greater than 70%.

[0039] A transparent electrode layer 130 is disposed on the first transparent substrate 110, specifically on the thin-film transistor array circuit layer 120, that is, the thin-film transistor array circuit layer 120 is disposed between the first transparent substrate 110 and the transparent electrode layer 130. The transparent electrode layer 130 can be patterned on the thin-film transistor array circuit layer 120, and the transparent electrode layer 130 has transparent and conductive properties. The transparent electrode layer 130 includes a plurality of transparent sub-electrode portions 131, with a one-to-one correspondence between a plurality of thin-film transistors 121 and a plurality of transparent sub-electrode portions 131, that is, one thin-film transistor 121 corresponds to one transparent sub-electrode portion 131. Specifically, one transparent sub-electrode portion 131 is connected to the drain of one thin-film transistor 121 and disconnected from the source of the thin-film transistor 121.

[0040] The sheet resistance of the transparent electrode layer 130 is between 0.01 and 200 Ω / □, ensuring that the conductivity of the transparent electrode layer 130 meets the requirements for uniformity of the electrochromic pixel layer 140. The transmittance of the transparent electrode layer 130 is greater than 80%, improving the overall transmittance performance of the display panel 100. The material of the transparent electrode layer 130 may include conductive oxides such as indium tin oxide and indium zinc oxide, and the thickness of the transparent electrode layer 130 may be 1-10000 nanometers, for example, the transparent electrode layer 130 is a 145-nanometer-thick indium tin oxide conductive oxide.

[0041] An electrochromic pixel layer 140 is disposed on a transparent electrode layer 130. The electrochromic pixel layer 140 includes multiple pixel units, each pixel unit having a first transparent state and a first color-displaying state. Each pixel unit includes multiple pixel sub-units 141. The orthogonal projection areas of the multiple pixel sub-units 141 on the first transparent substrate 110 do not overlap, and the multiple pixel sub-units 141 within the same pixel unit display different colors in the display state.

[0042] It should be noted that electrochromism refers to the ability of a material to change its bandgap or energy level under the control of an external electric field, selectively absorbing a continuous spectrum, thereby producing reversible changes in optical properties (transmittance, absorptivity, and reflectivity) within the visible-infrared-microwave band. Electrochromic materials can display different color changes by absorbing and transmitting visible light of different waveforms; the technology that applies electrochromic materials is called electrochromic technology.

[0043] In this embodiment, the electrochromic pixel layer 140 uses an electrochromic material, such as a first electrochromic material. The first electrochromic material is in a first color-changing state under the influence of an electric field and in a first transparent state without an electric field. Specifically, without an electric field, because the first electrochromic material is in the first transparent state, it does not absorb any wavelength of ambient light, i.e., it transmits all wavelengths of ambient light. When an electric field is applied to the first electrochromic material, it undergoes a redox reaction. The first electrochromic material can then absorb ambient light of wavelengths other than its inherent color and transmit ambient light of its inherent color wavelength, thus placing the first electrochromic material in the first color-changing state and displaying its inherent color. It should be noted that the electrochromic pixel layer 140 in this embodiment does not have a light-emitting function. That is, the display panel 100 prepared by the electrochromic pixel layer 140 is a non-actively light-emitting device. The transparent display function of the display panel 100 is achieved by utilizing the absorption and transmission characteristics of ambient light by the first electrochromic material in the electrochromic pixel layer 140. Since the display panel 100 is a non-actively light-emitting device, it will not mix with the ambient light incident on the display panel 100. In other words, the role of ambient light is to provide a light source for the transparent display of the display panel 100, so that ambient light will not affect the display performance of the display panel 100. Therefore, ambient light not only supports the transparent display of the display panel 100, but also improves the display performance of the display panel 100.

[0044] The electrochromic pixel layer 140 includes multiple pixel units, each pixel unit including multiple pixel sub-units 141. The orthographic projection areas of the multiple pixel sub-units 141 on the first transparent substrate 110 do not overlap. Therefore, only one driving voltage is needed to drive one pixel sub-unit 141 individually to achieve color rendering. Furthermore, there is a gap between two adjacent pixel sub-units 141, which can prevent the two adjacent pixel sub-units 141 from conducting electricity to each other under the action of the driving voltage, thus avoiding color rendering failure. It should also be noted that since the driving voltage received by each pixel sub-unit 141 is transmitted through the transparent electrode layer 130, in order for one thin film transistor to control one pixel sub-unit 141, the transparent sub-electrode portion 131 with conductive function needs to correspond one-to-one with the pixel sub-unit 141, that is, there is a gap between two adjacent transparent sub-electrode portions 131. Correspondingly, if multiple pixel sub-units are stacked, a single driving voltage is required to simultaneously drive and display color in all stacked pixel sub-units. This single driving voltage needs to be allocated into multiple sub-voltages based on the number of stacked pixel sub-units, with each sub-voltage driving one pixel sub-unit. This reduces the response speed of the stacked pixel sub-units in responding to the driving voltage. Therefore, arranging multiple pixel sub-units 141 adjacently and ensuring that their orthographic projection areas on the first transparent substrate 110 do not overlap improves the response speed compared to stacking multiple pixel sub-units.

[0045] Furthermore, since each pixel sub-unit 141 corresponds to a different transparent sub-electrode 131, and each transparent sub-electrode 131 corresponds to a different thin-film transistor 121, each thin-film transistor 121 can individually control its corresponding pixel sub-unit 141. That is, the switch of one thin-film transistor 121 can control whether a pixel sub-unit 141 displays a pattern. The switches of the multiple thin-film transistors 121 in the thin-film transistor array circuit layer 120 can control the multiple pixel sub-units 141 in the electrochromic pixel layer 140 respectively, thereby enabling the display panel 100 to display images with different patterns and realize dynamic display function.

[0046] In the first color rendering state, the multiple pixel subunits 141 within each pixel unit display different colors. These multiple pixel subunits 141 can display multiple colors, and the mixing of these colors constitutes the color of a single pixel unit, thus realizing the color rendering function of the multiple pixel units in the electrochromic pixel layer 140. Each pixel unit may include three pixel subunits 141, such as displaying red, green, and blue pixel subunits 141 respectively in the first color rendering state. Since the multiple pixel units are arranged in an array, the multiple pixel subunits 141 are also arranged in an array, and the arrangement order of the multiple pixel subunits 141 within each pixel unit is the same, such as arranging them according to the first color rendering state of red, green, and blue pixel subunits 141.

[0047] It should be noted that an electrical connection can be provided between the thin-film transistor array circuit layer 120 and the transparent counter electrode layer 150. Specifically, multiple thin-film transistors 121 in the thin-film transistor array circuit layer 120 are electrically connected to the transparent counter electrode layer 150. By applying a voltage between the thin-film transistor array circuit layer 120 and the transparent counter electrode layer 150, the voltage of the thin-film transistor array circuit layer 120 is transmitted to the transparent electrode layer 130, thereby forming an active matrix electric field between the transparent electrode layer 130 and the transparent counter electrode layer 150. Depending on the voltage applied to each thin-film transistor 121, multiple pixel sub-units 141 in each pixel unit can be placed under different electric fields. Thus, the transparent electrode layer 130 and the transparent counter electrode layer 150 drive the multiple pixel sub-units 141 to switch from a first transparent state to a first color-revealing state, and according to the inherent colors of the multiple pixel sub-units 141, the multiple pixel sub-units 141 can display different colors, such as red, green, and blue.

[0048] The voltage applied to each thin-film transistor 121 is the gate voltage. That is, each pixel sub-unit 141 has a gate voltage corresponding to its corresponding thin-film transistor 121. The magnitude of the gate voltage has a grayscale correspondence with the chromaticity and / or transmittance of the color displayed by each pixel sub-unit 141 in the first color rendering state. Specifically, the voltage applied between the thin-film transistor array circuit layer 120 and the transparent counter electrode layer 150 corresponds to the gate voltage of the thin-film transistor 121. The larger the gate voltage of the thin-film transistor 121, the stronger the electric field effect on the pixel sub-unit 141 corresponding to that thin-film transistor 121, the stronger the chromaticity of the color displayed by the pixel sub-unit 141 in the first color rendering state, and the greater the transmittance of the pixel sub-unit 141. Conversely, the smaller the gate voltage of the thin-film transistor 121, the weaker the electric field effect on the pixel sub-unit 141 corresponding to that thin-film transistor 121, the weaker the chromaticity of the color displayed by the pixel sub-unit 141 in the first color rendering state, and the lower the transmittance of the pixel sub-unit 141. Therefore, each pixel sub-unit 141 can display different chromaticities of color depending on the change in the electric field it receives, thus enabling multiple pixel sub-units 141 to correspond to different mixed colors, so that different pixel units display different colors. The grayscale of multiple pixel sub-units 141 in the first color display state can be adjusted by the magnitude of the gate voltage. That is, the grayscale of the color displayed by multiple pixel sub-units 141 in the first color display state is related to the magnitude of the gate voltage, thereby realizing the control of the dynamic display effect of the display panel 100. For example, when the gate voltage switches from A to B, when the gate voltage is A, the chromaticity of the color displayed by multiple pixel sub-units 141 in the first color display state is a; when the gate voltage is B, the chromaticity of the color displayed by multiple pixel sub-units 141 in the first color display state is b, where A is less than B and a is less than b. That is, multiple pixel sub-units 141 display the first color when the gate voltage is A and B, but the chromaticity of the first color when the gate voltage is A is less than the chromaticity of the first color when the gate voltage is B. The voltage applied to each pixel subunit 141 can be controlled by an external driving chip.

[0049] It is understood that in this embodiment, each pixel sub-unit 141 corresponds to a thin-film transistor 121. A single thin-film transistor 121 can control one pixel sub-unit 141 individually, thereby improving the driving response speed. Furthermore, the switching of a single thin-film transistor 121 can control whether a pixel sub-unit 141 displays an image, thus realizing the dynamic display function of the display panel 100. In addition, based on the different gate voltages of a single thin-film transistor 121, a pixel sub-unit 141 can be controlled to display different inherent colors, further improving the dynamic display effect of the display panel 100.

[0050] It should be noted that the transparent display technology in this context refers to actively emitting transparent display technology. For example, an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) transparent display panel utilizes the active emission of light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Each pixel unit includes a red sub-pixel, a green sub-pixel, and a blue sub-pixel, with each sub-pixel corresponding to an LED. The active emission of the LEDs causes the red sub-pixel to display red, the green sub-pixel to display green, and the blue sub-pixel to display blue. When the LEDs are not emitting light, the display panel is in a transparent state. The display performance of an organic light-emitting diode transparent display panel will decrease under the influence of ambient light.

[0051] To address the aforementioned issues, the electrochromic technology employed in this embodiment is a non-actively emitting transparent display technology. Specifically, the first electrochromic material in the electrochromic pixel layer 140 absorbs ambient light of wavelengths other than the inherent color of the first electrochromic material under the influence of an electric field, while only transmitting ambient light of the inherent color wavelength of the first electrochromic material. This allows the electrochromic pixel layer 140 to switch from a first transparent state to a first color-rendering state. In other words, the electrochromic pixel layer 140 does not have an active light-emitting function; instead, it achieves transparent display of the display panel 100 through the transmission of ambient light. Specifically, it utilizes the absorption and transmission characteristics of the first electrochromic material to switch the electrochromic pixel layer 140 between the first transparent state and the first color-rendering state, thereby achieving transparent display. Furthermore, since no light source that mixes with ambient light is generated within the display panel 100, ambient light does not affect its display performance, thus solving the problems existing in related technologies. While realizing the transparent display function of the display panel 100, it also improves the display performance of the display panel 100.

[0052] Since the electrochromic pixel layer 140 uses non-actively emitting electrochromic technology, the color displayed by each pixel unit is achieved by transmitting ambient light and emitting the transmitted ambient light to the display area of ​​the display panel 100, thus enabling the user to view the image. Therefore, multiple pixel units in the electrochromic pixel layer 140 need to cover the entire display area of ​​the display panel 100 to prevent leakage of ambient light of other wavelengths from affecting the display effect of the display panel 100.

[0053] The first electrochromic material used in the electrochromic pixel layer 140 can be a material that can change color under the drive of an electric field, such as inorganic transition metal oxides, inorganic-organic complexes, small organic molecules, organic polymers, proton transfer-charge coupling complex dye mixtures, etc. For example, one or more of oxides, Prussian blue, bipyridine analogs and their derivatives, and conjugated polymer analogs and their derivatives can be used. Among them, conjugated polymer analogs and their derivatives can include derivatives, derivatives and analogs of monomers such as aniline, pyrrole, pyridine, anthraquinone, styrene, pyran, oxazine, thiophene, thioran, triphenylamine, pyrazoline, phenazine, phenothiazine, etc.

[0054] The first electrochromic material can be selected as having a single color from the first transparent state to the first color-developing state, and the color displayed in the single color-developing state is a pure color, such as red, green, and blue, to improve the transmittance of the electrochromic pixel layer 140 and maximize the color gamut of the electrochromic pixel layer 140. Furthermore, each pixel unit contains multiple pixel sub-units 141, each including the first electrochromic material, and the materials of the multiple pixel sub-units 141 are either cathode-colored or anodic-colored materials, meaning that the color-changing polarity of the multiple pixel sub-units 141 is the same. Specifically, the cathode-colored material is in the first color-developing state in the low-valence reduced state and in the first transparent state in the high-valence oxidized state; the anodic-colored material is in the first transparent state in the low-valence reduced state and in the first color-developing state in the high-valence oxidized state. The first color-developing state can include different chromaticities corresponding to the colors displayed by the multiple pixel sub-units 141.

[0055] The display panel 100 may also include an electrolyte layer 160, which is disposed on the electrochromic pixel layer 140. The electrolyte layer 160 serves to ensure electronic insulation and ion conduction between the transparent electrode layer 130 and the transparent counter electrode layer 150, and to provide ions for the electrochromic material to participate in the redox reaction for the electrochromic pixel layer 140 and the transparent ion storage layer 170. For example, under the action of an electric field, the electrolyte layer 160 will migrate ions to the electrochromic pixel layer 140 and the transparent ion storage layer 170 respectively, so that the electrochromic pixel layer 140 and the transparent ion storage layer 170 absorb ions and undergo redox reaction.

[0056] The electrolyte layer 160 includes one of the following: liquid electrolyte, semi-solid electrolyte, and all-solid electrolyte. Liquid electrolytes may include inorganic-organic solvents containing dissolved metal salts, inorganic-organic solvents containing dissolved organic ionic salts, and room-temperature ionic liquids composed of inorganic-organic ions, such as a static solution containing dissolved lithium perchlorate, an aqueous solution containing dissolved ammonium sulfate, and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (EmimPF6). Semi-solid electrolytes may also be gel electrolytes, including semi-solid gels in which liquid electrolytes are dispersed in resin-based or acrylic-based solutions, and porous polymer membranes adsorbing liquid electrolytes, such as resin-based gel electrolytes mixed with lithium perchlorate solution and porous polymer membranes adsorbing lithium perchlorate solution. Solid electrolytes may include binary or ternary lithium salts containing lithium metal, such as lithium carbonate, lithium phosphate, and lithium cobalt oxide. Furthermore, the transmittance of the electrolyte layer 160 is greater than 90%.

[0057] Optionally, since the transparency and conductivity of the transparent counter electrode layer 150 decrease due to the reaction between ions in the transparent counter electrode layer 150 and the electrolyte layer 160, the display panel 100 may further include a transparent ion storage layer 170 disposed on the electrolyte layer 160 and located between the electrolyte layer 160 and the transparent counter electrode layer 150. The transparent ion storage layer 170 can absorb ions in the electrolyte layer 160 to prevent the ions in the electrolyte layer 160 from reacting with the transparent counter electrode layer 150.

[0058] The transparent ion storage layer 170 may include a second transparent state and a second color-changing state. The material of the transparent ion storage layer 170 may include a second electrochromic material. The second electrochromic material is in the second transparent state under the action of an electric field and in the second color-changing state when there is no electric field. It is understood that the first electrochromic material in the electrochromic pixel layer 140 and the second electrochromic material in the transparent ion storage layer 170 have opposite color-changing polarities. That is, under the action of an electric field, the first electrochromic material is in the first color-changing state, while the second electrochromic material is in the second transparent state; under the action of no electric field, the first electrochromic material is in the first transparent state, while the second electrochromic material is in the second color-changing state. This allows the transparent ion storage layer 170 to match the electrochromic pixel layer 140, so that the display panel 100 forms a complementary electrochromic device.

[0059] The material of the transparent ion storage layer 170 may include nickel oxide, tungsten oxide, polyaniline, etc., and the thickness of the transparent ion storage layer 170 may be 1-300 nanometers, such as a 50-nanometer thick nickel oxide film. The color displayed by the transparent ion storage layer 170 in the second color-developing state must not affect the transparent display of the display panel 100; for example, the color displayed by the transparent ion storage layer 170 in the second color-developing state may be white, and the transmittance of the transparent ion storage layer 170 in both the second transparent state and the second color-developing state must be greater than 80%.

[0060] A transparent counter electrode layer 150 is disposed at a distance from the electrochromic pixel layer 140 and is located on the side of the electrochromic pixel layer 140 away from the transparent electrode layer 130. Specifically, the transparent counter electrode layer 150 is disposed on the transparent ion storage layer 170. The transparent counter electrode layer 150 is electrically connected to the thin-film transistor array circuit layer 120, thereby creating a voltage between the transparent counter electrode layer 150 and the thin-film transistor array circuit layer 120. An active matrix electric field can be generated between the transparent electrode layer 130 and the transparent counter electrode layer 150, driving each pixel unit to switch between a first transparent state and a first color-changing state. Specifically, the transparent counter electrode layer 150 is electrically connected to a plurality of thin-film transistors 121 in the thin-film transistor array circuit layer 120. The electric field generated between the transparent electrode layer 150 and the thin film transistor array circuit layer 120 causes the thin film transistor array circuit layer 120 to have a gate voltage. The gate voltage is transmitted to the electrochromic pixel layer 140 through the conduction of the transparent electrode layer 130. Under the action of the electric field, the electrochromic pixel layer 140 undergoes an oxidation-reduction reaction, thereby causing the electrochromic pixel layer 140 to switch from the first transparent state to the first color state.

[0061] The external driving chip can apply a voltage between the transparent counter electrode layer 150 and the thin-film transistor array circuit layer 120 to form an active matrix electric field. This causes multiple pixel sub-units 141 in the electrochromic pixel layer 140 to switch from a first transparent state to a first color-revealing state under the action of the electric field. That is, the transparent electrode layer 130 and the transparent counter electrode layer 150 drive each pixel unit to switch between the first transparent state and the first color-revealing state. Specifically, the display panel 100 maintains a transparent state in the non-display state and the non-display area in the display state, while the display area in the display state displays the color and image corresponding to the electrochromic pixel layer 140, thereby realizing the dynamic display effect and transparent display function of the display panel 100. The non-display state is when the display panel 100 is in a screen-off state, and the display state is when the display panel 100 is in a screen-on state. The display panel 100 includes a display area and a non-display area, and the multiple pixel units in the electrochromic pixel layer 140 are disposed in the display area of ​​the display panel 100.

[0062] The transparent counter electrode layer 150 is made of the same material as the transparent electrode layer 130, that is, the material of the transparent counter electrode layer 150 includes metal oxides, such as conductive oxide films like indium tin oxide and indium zinc oxide. Thus, the transparent counter electrode layer 150 is both conductive and transparent. The thickness of the transparent counter electrode layer 150 is between 1 and 1000 nanometers, such as 70 nanometers of indium tin oxide.

[0063] Additionally, the display panel 100 may also include a second transparent substrate 180, which is disposed on the transparent counter electrode layer 150. The second transparent substrate 180 may be made of the same material as the first transparent substrate 110, and the second transparent substrate 180 is disposed opposite to the first transparent substrate 110. The shape and area of ​​the second transparent substrate 180 and the first transparent substrate 110 may be the same. It should be noted that during the fabrication of the display panel 100, the transparent counter electrode layer 150 is fabricated on the side of the second transparent substrate 180 facing the first transparent substrate 110.

[0064] It is understood that in this embodiment, the first transparent substrate 110, transparent electrode layer 130, transparent counter electrode layer 150, and second transparent substrate 180 in the display panel 100 are always in a transparent state, while the electrochromic pixel layer 140 is in a first transparent state without an electric field, and the transparent ion storage layer 170 is in a high-transmittance white state without an electric field. That is, the display panel 100 can achieve transparent display function without an electric field. Under the action of an electric field, the electrochromic pixel layer 140 is in a first color-changing state, and the transparent ion storage layer 170 is in a second transparent state. That is, the display panel 100 can achieve normal display function under the action of an electric field. Furthermore, since the electrochromic pixel layer 140 adopts non-active light-emitting electrochromic technology, the pixel unit switches between the first transparent state and the first color-changing state through the absorption and transmission characteristics of ambient light by the electrochromic material, and the display performance is not affected by ambient light, which can improve the display performance of the display panel 100 under strong light.

[0065] As can be seen from the above, the display panel 100 provided in this embodiment includes a first transparent substrate 110; a thin film transistor array circuit layer 120; a transparent electrode layer 130; an electrochromic pixel layer 140 including multiple pixel units, each pixel unit having a first transparent state and a first color-changing state, each pixel unit including multiple pixel sub-units 141, the orthographic projection areas of the multiple pixel sub-units 141 on the first transparent substrate 110 do not overlap, and the multiple pixel sub-units 141 within the same pixel unit display different colors in the first color-changing state; a transparent counter electrode layer 150, which is spaced apart from the electrochromic pixel layer 140 and located on the side of the electrochromic pixel layer 140 away from the transparent electrode layer 130, the transparent counter electrode layer 150 and the transparent electrode layer 130 can drive each pixel unit to switch between the first transparent state and the first color-changing state. The display panel fabricated using pixel units with electrochromic technology is a non-active light-emitting device. Due to its absorption and transmission characteristics of ambient light, it transmits ambient light of the wavelength corresponding to the color displayed by the pixel unit in the first color rendering state, and absorbs ambient light of the wavelength corresponding to other colors besides the displayed color, so that the electrochromic pixel layer is in the first color rendering state. The transparent counter electrode layer and the transparent electrode layer drive each pixel unit to switch between the first transparent state and the first color rendering state. Since no light source mixed with ambient light is generated in the display panel, ambient light will not affect its display performance, thus improving the display performance of the display panel under strong light.

[0066] Furthermore, since each pixel sub-unit 141 can display different chromatic colors as the electric field it is subjected to changes, multiple pixel sub-units 141 correspond to different mixed colors, so that different pixel units display different colors. The grayscale of multiple pixel sub-units 141 in the first color display state can be adjusted by the magnitude of the gate voltage. That is, the grayscale of the color displayed by multiple pixel sub-units 141 in the first color display state has a corresponding relationship with the magnitude of the gate voltage, thereby realizing the control of the dynamic display effect of the display panel 100.

[0067] Accordingly, this application also provides a method for manufacturing a display panel; please refer to [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 2 , Figure 2 This is a schematic flowchart illustrating the method for fabricating a display panel according to an embodiment of this application. The specific steps of this method for fabricating the display panel are as follows:

[0068] 201, providing a first transparent substrate and a second transparent substrate disposed opposite to each other.

[0069] In this embodiment, please continue to refer to Figure 1The first transparent substrate 110 can be a rigid substrate, such as glass or quartz, or it can be a flexible substrate, such as a transparent plastic substrate made of materials like polyethylene terephthalate, polymethyl methacrylate, polyethylene naphthalate, polycarbonate, polystyrene, or polypropylene. The second transparent substrate 180 is disposed opposite to the first transparent substrate 110, and the second transparent substrate 180 can be made of the same material, have the same shape, and the same area as the first transparent substrate 110.

[0070] 202, A transparent electrode layer is formed on the first transparent substrate.

[0071] Please refer to the following: Figure 1 and Figure 3 , Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the first intermediate product of the display panel provided in this application embodiment. The thin-film transistor array circuit layer 120 can be formed on the first transparent substrate 110 using coating methods such as magnetron sputtering, physical / chemical vapor deposition, electrodeposition, spraying, spin coating, chemical in-situ polymerization, hydrothermal deposition, and atomic layer growth, as well as photolithography and inkjet printing. The functional layers in the thin-film transistor array circuit layer 120 are uniformly formed. It should be noted that the methods for preparing the various film layers of the display panel 100 described below can also employ the methods described above for preparing the thin-film transistor array circuit layer 120 on the first transparent substrate 110.

[0072] The thin-film transistor array circuit layer includes multiple thin-film transistors 121 arranged in an array. Depending on the fabrication method, the thin-film transistors 121 can be classified as back-channel etched thin-film transistors, etched capacitor thin-film transistors, top-gate self-aligned thin-film transistors, etched barrier layer thin-film transistors, etc. Depending on the material used, the thin-film transistors 121 can be classified as amorphous silicon thin-film transistors, polycrystalline silicon thin-film transistors, oxide thin-film transistors, etc. Each thin-film transistor 121 includes at least a gate, a source, and a drain to achieve its switching characteristics. The aperture ratio of the thin-film transistor 121 is greater than 70%.

[0073] Please refer to the following: Figure 1 and Figure 4 , Figure 4This is a schematic diagram of the second intermediate product of the display panel provided in the embodiments of this application. A transparent electrode layer 130 is formed on the thin-film transistor array circuit layer 120. Specifically, the transparent electrode layer 130 can be patterned on the thin-film transistor array circuit layer 120, and the transparent electrode layer 130 has transparent and conductive properties. The transparent electrode layer 130 includes a plurality of transparent sub-electrode portions 131. A plurality of thin-film transistors 121 correspond one-to-one with a plurality of transparent sub-electrode portions 131, that is, one thin-film transistor 121 corresponds to one transparent sub-electrode portion 131. Specifically, one transparent sub-electrode portion 131 is connected to the drain of one thin-film transistor 121 and disconnected from the source of the thin-film transistor 121.

[0074] The sheet resistance of the transparent electrode layer 130 is between 0.01 and 200 Ω / □, ensuring that the conductivity of the transparent electrode layer 130 meets the requirements for uniformity of the electrochromic pixel layer 140. The transmittance of the transparent electrode layer 130 is greater than 80%, improving the overall transmittance performance of the display panel 100. The material of the transparent electrode layer 130 may include conductive oxides such as indium tin oxide and indium zinc oxide, and the thickness of the transparent electrode layer 130 may be 1-10000 nanometers, for example, the transparent electrode layer 130 is a 145-nanometer-thick indium tin oxide conductive oxide.

[0075] 203, an electrochromic pixel layer is formed on the transparent electrode layer.

[0076] Please refer to the following: Figure 1 and Figure 5 , Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the third intermediate product of the display panel provided in the embodiments of this application. An electrochromic pixel layer 140 is formed on the transparent electrode layer 130. The electrochromic pixel layer 140 includes a plurality of pixel units. Each pixel unit has a first transparent state and a first color-displaying state. Each pixel unit includes a plurality of pixel sub-units 141. The orthographic projection areas of the plurality of pixel sub-units 141 on the first transparent substrate 110 do not overlap, and the plurality of pixel sub-units 141 within the same pixel unit display different colors in the display state.

[0077] The electrochromic pixel layer 140 uses an electrochromic material, such as a first electrochromic material. This first electrochromic material is in a first color-changing state under an electric field and in a first transparent state when no electric field is present. It should be noted that the electrochromic pixel layer 140 in this embodiment does not have a light-emitting function. That is, the display panel 100 fabricated from the electrochromic pixel layer 140 is a non-actively light-emitting device. The transparent display function of the display panel 100 is achieved by utilizing the absorption and transmission characteristics of ambient light by the first electrochromic material in the electrochromic pixel layer 140. Since the display panel 100 is a non-actively light-emitting device, it does not mix with the ambient light incident on it. In other words, the role of ambient light is to provide a light source for the transparent display of the display panel 100, thus ensuring that ambient light does not affect the display performance of the display panel 100. Therefore, ambient light not only supports the transparent display of the display panel 100 but also improves its display performance.

[0078] The electrochromic pixel layer 140 includes multiple pixel units, each pixel unit including multiple pixel sub-units 141. The orthographic projection areas of the multiple pixel sub-units 141 on the first transparent substrate 110 do not overlap. Therefore, only one driving voltage is needed to drive one pixel sub-unit 141 individually to achieve color rendering. Furthermore, there is a gap between two adjacent pixel sub-units 141, which can prevent the two adjacent pixel sub-units 141 from conducting electricity to each other under the action of the driving voltage, thus avoiding color rendering failure. It should also be noted that since the driving voltage received by each pixel sub-unit 141 is transmitted through the transparent electrode layer 130, in order for one thin film transistor to control one pixel sub-unit 141, the transparent sub-electrode portion 131 with conductive function needs to correspond one-to-one with the pixel sub-unit 141, that is, there is a gap between two adjacent transparent sub-electrode portions 131. Correspondingly, if multiple pixel sub-units are stacked, a single driving voltage is required to simultaneously drive and display color in all stacked pixel sub-units. This single driving voltage needs to be allocated into multiple sub-voltages based on the number of stacked pixel sub-units, with each sub-voltage driving one pixel sub-unit. This reduces the response speed of the stacked pixel sub-units in responding to the driving voltage. Therefore, arranging multiple pixel sub-units 141 adjacently and ensuring that their orthographic projection areas on the first transparent substrate 110 do not overlap improves the response speed compared to stacking multiple pixel sub-units.

[0079] Furthermore, since each pixel sub-unit 141 corresponds to a different transparent sub-electrode 131, and each transparent sub-electrode 131 corresponds to a different thin-film transistor 121, each thin-film transistor 121 can individually control its corresponding pixel sub-unit 141. That is, the switch of one thin-film transistor 121 can control whether a pixel sub-unit 141 displays a pattern. The switches of the multiple thin-film transistors 121 in the thin-film transistor array circuit layer 120 can control the multiple pixel sub-units 141 in the electrochromic pixel layer 140 respectively, thereby enabling the display panel 100 to display images with different patterns and realize dynamic display function.

[0080] In the first color rendering state, the multiple pixel subunits 141 within each pixel unit display different colors. These multiple pixel subunits 141 can display multiple colors, and the mixing of these colors constitutes the color of a single pixel unit, thus realizing the color rendering function of the multiple pixel units in the electrochromic pixel layer 140. Each pixel unit may include three pixel subunits 141, such as displaying red, green, and blue pixel subunits 141 respectively in the first color rendering state. Since the multiple pixel units are arranged in an array, the multiple pixel subunits 141 are also arranged in an array, and the arrangement order of the multiple pixel subunits 141 within each pixel unit is the same, such as arranging them according to the first color rendering state of red, green, and blue pixel subunits 141.

[0081] It should be noted that an electrical connection can be provided between the thin-film transistor array circuit layer 120 and the transparent counter electrode layer 150. Specifically, multiple thin-film transistors 121 in the thin-film transistor array circuit layer 120 are electrically connected to the transparent counter electrode layer 150. By applying a voltage between the thin-film transistor array circuit layer 120 and the transparent counter electrode layer 150, the voltage of the thin-film transistor array circuit layer 120 is transmitted to the transparent electrode layer 130, thereby forming an active matrix electric field between the transparent electrode layer 130 and the transparent counter electrode layer 150. Depending on the voltage applied to each thin-film transistor 121, multiple pixel sub-units 141 in each pixel unit can be placed under different electric fields. Thus, the transparent electrode layer 130 and the transparent counter electrode layer 150 drive the multiple pixel sub-units 141 to switch from a first transparent state to a first color-revealing state, and according to the inherent colors of the multiple pixel sub-units 141, the multiple pixel sub-units 141 can display different colors, such as red, green, and blue.

[0082] The voltage applied to each thin-film transistor 121 is the gate voltage. That is, each pixel sub-unit 141 has a gate voltage corresponding to its corresponding thin-film transistor 121. The magnitude of the gate voltage has a grayscale correspondence with the chromaticity and / or transmittance of the color displayed by each pixel sub-unit 141 in the first color rendering state. Specifically, the voltage applied between the thin-film transistor array circuit layer 120 and the transparent counter electrode layer 150 corresponds to the gate voltage of the thin-film transistor 121. The larger the gate voltage of the thin-film transistor 121, the stronger the electric field effect on the pixel sub-unit 141 corresponding to that thin-film transistor 121, the stronger the chromaticity of the color displayed by the pixel sub-unit 141 in the first color rendering state, and the greater the transmittance of the pixel sub-unit 141. Conversely, the smaller the gate voltage of the thin-film transistor 121, the weaker the electric field effect on the pixel sub-unit 141 corresponding to that thin-film transistor 121, the weaker the chromaticity of the color displayed by the pixel sub-unit 141 in the first color rendering state, and the lower the transmittance of the pixel sub-unit 141. Therefore, each pixel sub-unit 141 can display different chromaticities of color depending on the change in the electric field it receives, thus enabling multiple pixel sub-units 141 to correspond to different mixed colors, so that different pixel units display different colors. The grayscale of multiple pixel sub-units 141 in the first color display state can be adjusted by the magnitude of the gate voltage. That is, the grayscale of the color displayed by multiple pixel sub-units 141 in the first color display state is related to the magnitude of the gate voltage, thereby realizing the control of the dynamic display effect of the display panel 100. For example, when the gate voltage switches from A to B, when the gate voltage is A, the chromaticity of the color displayed by multiple pixel sub-units 141 in the first color display state is a; when the gate voltage is B, the chromaticity of the color displayed by multiple pixel sub-units 141 in the first color display state is b, where A is less than B and a is less than b. That is, multiple pixel sub-units 141 display the first color when the gate voltage is A and B, but the chromaticity of the first color when the gate voltage is A is less than the chromaticity of the first color when the gate voltage is B. The voltage applied to each pixel subunit 141 can be controlled by an external driving chip.

[0083] It is understood that in this embodiment, each pixel sub-unit 141 corresponds to a thin-film transistor 121. A single thin-film transistor 121 can control one pixel sub-unit 141 individually, thereby improving the driving response speed. Furthermore, the switching of a single thin-film transistor 121 can control whether a pixel sub-unit 141 displays an image, thus realizing the dynamic display function of the display panel 100. In addition, based on the different gate voltages of a single thin-film transistor 121, a pixel sub-unit 141 can be controlled to display different inherent colors, further improving the dynamic display effect of the display panel 100.

[0084] The electrochromic technology used in this embodiment belongs to the non-actively emitting transparent display technology. Specifically, the first electrochromic material in the electrochromic pixel layer 140 absorbs ambient light of wavelengths other than the inherent color of the first electrochromic material under the action of an electric field, and only transmits ambient light of the inherent color wavelength of the first electrochromic material. This causes the electrochromic pixel layer 140 to switch from a first transparent state to a first color-revealing state. That is, the electrochromic pixel layer 140 does not have an active light-emitting function, but achieves the transparent display of the display panel 100 through the transmission of ambient light. Specifically, it uses the absorption and transmission characteristics of the first electrochromic material to switch the electrochromic pixel layer 140 between the first transparent state and the first color-revealing state to achieve transparent display. Since no light source mixed with ambient light is generated in the display panel 100, ambient light will not affect its display performance, thus solving the problems existing in related technologies. While realizing the transparent display function of the display panel 100, it also improves the display performance of the display panel 100.

[0085] Since the electrochromic pixel layer 140 uses non-actively emitting electrochromic technology, the color displayed by each pixel unit is achieved by transmitting ambient light and emitting the transmitted ambient light to the display area of ​​the display panel 100, thus enabling the user to view the image. Therefore, multiple pixel units in the electrochromic pixel layer 140 need to cover the entire display area of ​​the display panel 100 to prevent leakage of ambient light of other wavelengths from affecting the display effect of the display panel 100.

[0086] 204. A transparent counter electrode layer is formed on the side of the second transparent substrate facing the first transparent substrate.

[0087] Please see Figure 1 A transparent counter electrode layer 150 is formed on the side of the second transparent substrate 180 facing the first transparent substrate 110, a transparent ion storage layer 170 is formed on the side of the transparent counter electrode layer 150 facing the first transparent substrate 110, and finally an electrolyte layer 160 is formed between the electrochromic pixel layer 140 and the transparent ion storage layer 170.

[0088] The electrolyte layer 160 serves to ensure electronic insulation while maintaining ion conduction between the transparent electrode layer 130 and the transparent counter electrode layer 150, providing ions for the electrochromic pixel layer 140 and the transparent ion storage layer 170 to participate in redox reactions. For example, under the influence of an electric field, ions migrate from the electrolyte layer 160 to the electrochromic pixel layer 140 and the transparent ion storage layer 170, allowing them to absorb ions and undergo redox reactions. The electrolyte layer 160 can be one of a liquid electrolyte, a semi-solid electrolyte, or an all-solid electrolyte.

[0089] Since the transparent counter electrode layer 150 reacts with the ions in the electrolyte layer 160, the transparency and conductivity of the transparent counter electrode layer 150 are reduced. A transparent ion storage layer 170 is formed on the electrolyte layer 160. The transparent ion storage layer 170 can absorb the ions in the electrolyte layer 160 to prevent the ions in the electrolyte layer 160 from reacting with the transparent counter electrode layer 150.

[0090] The transparent ion storage layer 170 may include a second transparent state and a second color-changing state. The material of the transparent ion storage layer 170 may include a second electrochromic material. The second electrochromic material is in the second transparent state under the action of an electric field and in the second color-changing state when there is no electric field. It is understood that the first electrochromic material in the electrochromic pixel layer 140 and the second electrochromic material in the transparent ion storage layer 170 have opposite color-changing polarities. That is, under the action of an electric field, the first electrochromic material is in the first color-changing state, while the second electrochromic material is in the second transparent state; under the action of no electric field, the first electrochromic material is in the first transparent state, while the second electrochromic material is in the second color-changing state. This allows the transparent ion storage layer 170 to match the electrochromic pixel layer 140, so that the display panel 100 forms a complementary electrochromic device.

[0091] A transparent counter electrode layer 150 is formed on the transparent ion storage layer 170. The transparent counter electrode layer 150 is electrically connected to the thin-film transistor array circuit layer 120, thereby creating a voltage between the transparent counter electrode layer 150 and the thin-film transistor array circuit layer 120. An active matrix electric field can be generated between the transparent electrode layer 130 and the transparent counter electrode layer 150, driving each pixel unit to switch between a first transparent state and a first color-developing state. Specifically, the transparent counter electrode layer 150 is electrically connected to a plurality of thin-film transistors 121 in the thin-film transistor array circuit layer 120. The electric field generated between the transparent counter electrode layer 150 and the thin-film transistor array circuit layer 120 causes the thin-film transistor array circuit layer 120 to have a gate voltage. The gate voltage is transmitted to the electrochromic pixel layer 140 through the conduction of the transparent electrode layer 130. Under the action of the electric field, the electrochromic pixel layer 140 undergoes a redox reaction, thereby causing the electrochromic pixel layer 140 to switch from the first transparent state to the first color-developing state.

[0092] An external driving chip can apply a voltage between the transparent counter electrode layer 150 and the thin-film transistor array circuit layer 120 to form an active matrix electric field, thereby causing multiple pixel sub-units 141 in the electrochromic pixel layer 140 to switch from a first transparent state to a first color display state under the action of the electric field. Specifically, the non-display area of ​​the display panel 100 remains transparent in both the non-display state and the display state, while the display area in the display state displays the color and image corresponding to the electrochromic pixel layer 140, thereby realizing the dynamic display effect and transparent display function of the display panel 100. The non-display state is when the display panel 100 is in a screen-off state, and the display state is when the display panel 100 is in a screen-on state. The display panel 100 includes a display area and a non-display area, and the multiple pixel units in the electrochromic pixel layer 140 are disposed in the display area of ​​the display panel 100.

[0093] The transparent counter electrode layer 150 is made of the same material as the transparent electrode layer 130, that is, the material of the transparent counter electrode layer 150 includes metal oxides, such as conductive oxide films like indium tin oxide and indium zinc oxide. Thus, the transparent counter electrode layer 150 is both conductive and transparent. The thickness of the transparent counter electrode layer 150 is between 1 and 1000 nanometers, such as 70 nanometers of indium tin oxide.

[0094] It is understood that in this embodiment, the first transparent substrate 110, transparent electrode layer 130, transparent counter electrode layer 150, and second transparent substrate 180 in the display panel 100 are always in a transparent state, while the electrochromic pixel layer 140 is in a first transparent state without an electric field, and the transparent ion storage layer 170 is in a high-transmittance white state without an electric field. That is, the display panel 100 can achieve transparent display function without an electric field; while under the action of an electric field, the electrochromic pixel layer 140 is in a first color-coding state, and the transparent ion storage layer 170 is in a second transparent state. That is, the display panel 100 can achieve normal display function under the action of an electric field. Furthermore, since the electrochromic pixel layer 140 adopts non-active light-emitting electrochromic technology, the pixel unit switches between the first transparent state and the first color-coding state through the absorption and transmission characteristics of ambient light by the electrochromic material, and the display performance is not affected by ambient light, which can improve the display performance of the display panel 100 under strong light irradiation.

[0095] As can be seen from the above, this embodiment provides a first transparent substrate and a second transparent substrate disposed opposite to each other. A transparent electrode layer is formed on the first transparent substrate, an electrochromic pixel layer is formed on the transparent electrode layer, and a transparent counter electrode layer is formed on the side of the second transparent substrate facing the first transparent substrate. The display panel fabricated using the pixel unit with electrochromic technology is a non-active light-emitting device. Due to its absorption and transmission characteristics to ambient light, it transmits ambient light of the wavelength corresponding to the color displayed by the pixel unit in the first color rendering state, and absorbs ambient light of the wavelength corresponding to other colors besides the displayed color, so that the electrochromic pixel layer is in the first color rendering state. The transparent counter electrode layer and the transparent electrode layer drive each pixel unit to switch between the first transparent state and the first color rendering state. Furthermore, since no light source mixed with ambient light is generated in the display panel, ambient light will not affect its display performance, thus improving the display performance of the display panel under strong light irradiation.

[0096] In the above embodiments, the descriptions of each embodiment have different focuses. For parts not described in detail in a certain embodiment, please refer to the relevant descriptions in other embodiments.

[0097] The display panel and its preparation method provided in the embodiments of this application have been described in detail above. Specific examples have been used to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of this application. The description of the above embodiments is only for the purpose of helping to understand the method and core ideas of this application. At the same time, for those skilled in the art, there will be changes in the specific implementation methods and application scope based on the ideas of this application. Therefore, the content of this specification should not be construed as a limitation of this application.

Claims

1. A display panel, characterized in that, include: First transparent substrate; A transparent electrode layer is disposed on the first transparent substrate; An electrochromic pixel layer is disposed on the transparent electrode layer. The electrochromic pixel layer includes multiple pixel units, each pixel unit having a first transparent state and a first color-changing state. Each pixel unit includes multiple pixel sub-units. The orthogonal projection areas of the multiple pixel sub-units on the first transparent substrate do not overlap, and the multiple pixel sub-units within the same pixel unit display different colors in the first color-changing state. The material of the electrochromic pixel layer includes a first electrochromic material, which is in the first color-changing state under the action of an electric field and in the first transparent state when there is no electric field. A transparent counter electrode layer is disposed at a distance from the electrochromic pixel layer and is located on the side of the electrochromic pixel layer away from the transparent electrode layer. The transparent counter electrode layer and the transparent electrode layer can drive each pixel unit to switch between the first transparent state and the first color-changing state. A second transparent substrate is disposed on the transparent counter electrode layer and is disposed opposite to the first transparent substrate; An electrolyte layer is disposed on the electrochromic pixel layer; A transparent ion storage layer is disposed between the electrolyte layer and the transparent counter electrode layer. The transparent ion storage layer can absorb ions in the electrolyte layer to prevent the ions in the electrolyte layer from reacting with the transparent counter electrode layer. The transparent ion storage layer has a second transparent state and a second color-changing state. The material of the transparent ion storage layer includes a second electrochromic material. The second electrochromic material is in the second transparent state under the action of an electric field and in the second color-changing state when the electric field is not applied.

2. The display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The display panel further includes a thin-film transistor array circuit layer, which is disposed between the first transparent substrate and the transparent electrode layer. The thin-film transistor array circuit layer includes a plurality of thin-film transistors, and the transparent electrode layer includes a plurality of transparent sub-electrodes. The plurality of thin-film transistors correspond one-to-one with the plurality of transparent sub-electrodes, and the plurality of transparent sub-electrodes correspond one-to-one with the plurality of pixel sub-units.

3. The display panel according to claim 2, characterized in that, Each pixel subunit has a corresponding thin-film transistor with a gate voltage, the magnitude of which has a grayscale relationship with the chromaticity and / or transmittance of the color displayed by each pixel subunit in the first color rendering state.

4. The display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The electrolyte layer includes one of liquid electrolyte, semi-solid electrolyte, and all-solid electrolyte, and the permeability of the electrolyte layer is greater than 90%.

5. The display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The transmittance of the transparent ion storage layer in both the second transparent state and the second color-changing state is greater than 80%.

6. The display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The transparent electrode layer is made of metal oxide, and the transparent counter electrode layer is made of the same material as the transparent electrode layer. Both the transparent electrode layer and the transparent counter electrode layer have a transmittance greater than 80%.

7. A method for manufacturing a display panel, characterized in that, include: A first transparent substrate and a second transparent substrate are provided, which are disposed opposite to each other; A transparent electrode layer is formed on the first transparent substrate; An electrochromic pixel layer is formed on the transparent electrode layer. The material of the electrochromic pixel layer includes a first electrochromic material. The electrochromic pixel layer includes multiple pixel units, each pixel unit having a first transparent state and a first color-changing state. The first electrochromic material is in the first color-changing state under the influence of an electric field and in the first transparent state without an electric field. Each pixel unit includes multiple pixel sub-units, the orthographic projection areas of the multiple pixel sub-units on the first transparent substrate do not overlap, and the multiple pixel sub-units within the same pixel unit display different colors in the first color-changing state. A transparent counter electrode layer is formed on the side of the second transparent substrate facing the first transparent substrate. The transparent counter electrode layer and the transparent electrode layer can drive each pixel unit to switch between the first transparent state and the first color-revealing state. An electrolyte layer is disposed on the electrochromic pixel layer, and a transparent ion storage layer is disposed between the electrolyte layer and the transparent counter electrode layer; The transparent ion storage layer can absorb ions in the electrolyte layer to prevent the ions in the electrolyte layer from reacting with the transparent counter electrode layer; the transparent ion storage layer has a second transparent state and a second color-changing state, and the material of the transparent ion storage layer includes a second electrochromic material, which is in the second transparent state under the action of an electric field and in the second color-changing state without the action of the electric field.

8. The method for manufacturing a display panel according to claim 7, characterized in that, After forming a transparent counter electrode layer on the side of the second transparent substrate facing the first transparent substrate, the method further includes: A transparent ion storage layer is formed on the side of the transparent counter electrode layer facing the first transparent substrate.

9. The method for manufacturing a display panel according to claim 8, characterized in that, After forming the transparent ion storage layer on the side of the transparent counter electrode layer facing the first transparent substrate, the method further includes: An electrolyte layer is formed between the electrochromic pixel layer and the transparent ion storage layer.

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