Electrochromic device and method for manufacturing the same

Abstract

The application discloses an electrochromic device and a preparation method thereof. The electrochromic device comprises a first transparent conductive layer, a second transparent conductive layer and an electrochromic functional layer between the first transparent conductive layer and the second transparent conductive layer. At least one of the thickness of the first transparent conductive layer, the thickness of the second transparent conductive layer and the ion migration speed of the electrochromic functional layer in the edge area and the middle area of the electrochromic area of the electrochromic device is different, so that the response time difference between the edge area and the middle area of the electrochromic area of the electrochromic device is less than a preset value when the electrochromic device changes color. The uniformity of the whole surface response time of the electrochromic device when changing color is improved, and the response time of the electrochromic device is shortened.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of electrochromic technology, and in particular to an electrochromic device and its preparation method. Background Technology

[0002] Electrochromism refers to the phenomenon that the optical properties of a material, such as color, transmittance, reflectance, and absorptivity, undergo stable and reversible changes under the influence of an external electric field; structures made of electrochromic materials that have electrochromic functions are called electrochromic devices.

[0003] Currently, common electrochromic devices use voltage to reversibly change the transmittance of glass. However, with larger electrochromic devices, voltage-driven operation does not result in the entire surface changing color simultaneously. Because the voltage input is located at the edge of the device, the edges of the glass typically change color first, followed by the center, resulting in a longer time required for the entire glass surface to achieve a uniform color change. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention provides an electrochromic device and its preparation method to improve the uniformity of the response time of the electrochromic device during color change and shorten the response time of the electrochromic device.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, an electrochromic device is provided, comprising: a first transparent conductive layer, a second transparent conductive layer, and an electrochromic functional layer located between the first transparent conductive layer and the second transparent conductive layer;

[0006] Wherein, at least one of the following is different between the edge region and the middle region of the electrochromic region of the electrochromic device: the thickness of the first transparent conductive layer, the thickness of the second transparent conductive layer, and the ion migration rate of the electrochromic functional layer, so that the response time difference between the edge region and the middle region of the electrochromic region is less than a preset value when the electrochromic device changes color.

[0007] Optionally, the thickness of the first transparent conductive layer located at the edge region of the electrochromic region is less than the thickness of the first transparent conductive layer located in the middle region of the electrochromic region;

[0008] And / or, the thickness of the second transparent conductive layer located in the edge region of the electrochromic region is less than the thickness of the second transparent conductive layer located in the middle region of the electrochromic region.

[0009] Optionally, the preset value is less than or equal to 20ms, and the thickness difference between the middle region thickness and the edge region thickness of the first transparent conductive layer ranges from 10nm to 1000nm.

[0010] And / or, the thickness difference between the middle region thickness and the edge region thickness of the second transparent conductive layer ranges from 10 nm to 1000 nm.

[0011] Optionally, the electrochromic region includes multiple color-changing sub-regions; the first transparent conductive layer located in the same color-changing sub-region has the same thickness, and the second transparent conductive layer located in the same color-changing sub-region has the same thickness;

[0012] Along the direction from the center of the electrochromic region to the edge of the electrochromic region, the thickness of the first transparent conductive layer in different color-changing sub-regions gradually decreases, and / or, the thickness of the second transparent conductive layer in different color-changing sub-regions gradually decreases.

[0013] Optionally, the thickness of the first transparent conductive layer gradually decreases along the direction from the center of the electrochromic region to the edge of the electrochromic region, and / or the thickness of the second transparent conductive layer gradually decreases.

[0014] Optionally, the electrochromic functional layer includes an electrochromic layer, an electrolyte layer, and an ion storage layer stacked sequentially; wherein the ion storage layer is closer to the first transparent conductive layer; and the electrochromic layer is closer to the second transparent conductive layer.

[0015] The electrochromic region includes multiple color-changing sub-regions. Along the direction from the center of the electrochromic region to its edge, the ion migration rate of at least one of the electrochromic layer, electrolyte layer, and ion storage layer in different color-changing sub-regions gradually decreases. The material of the electrolyte layer includes a gel-type electrolyte. Along the direction from the center of the electrochromic region to its edge, the ion concentration of the electrolyte layer in different color-changing sub-regions gradually decreases.

[0016] Optionally, the electrolyte layer has a porous structure; the porosity of the electrolyte layer in different color-changing sub-regions gradually decreases along the direction from the center of the electrochromic region to the edge of the electrochromic region.

[0017] And / or, the electrochromic layer has a porous and loose structure; along the direction from the center of the electrochromic region to the edge of the electrochromic region, the porosity of the electrochromic layer in different color-changing sub-regions gradually decreases.

[0018] Optionally, the pore size of the porous structure decreases from 30 nm to 6 nm from the center to the edge.

[0019] Optionally, in two adjacent color-changing sub-regions, the spacing between the electrochromic layers is less than or equal to 0.1 mm, and / or the spacing between the ion storage layers is less than or equal to 0.1 mm.

[0020] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for fabricating an electrochromic device is provided, for fabricating the electrochromic device described in any embodiment of the present invention; comprising:

[0021] A first substrate is provided, and a first transparent conductive layer is formed on the surface of the first substrate;

[0022] An electrochromic functional layer is formed on the side of the first transparent conductive layer away from the first substrate;

[0023] A second substrate is provided, and a second transparent conductive layer is formed on the surface of the second substrate;

[0024] The side of the second substrate having the second transparent conductive layer is covered on the side of the electrochromic functional layer away from the first substrate; wherein, at least one of the thickness of the first transparent conductive layer, the thickness of the second transparent conductive layer, and the ion migration rate of the electrochromic functional layer located in the edge region and the middle region of the electrochromic region is different, so that the response time difference between the edge region and the middle region of the electrochromic region is less than a preset value when the electrochromic device changes color.

[0025] This invention provides an electrochromic device and its fabrication method. The electrochromic device includes a first transparent conductive layer, a second transparent conductive layer, and an electrochromic functional layer located between the first and second transparent conductive layers. At least one of the following parameters differs between the edge region and the middle region of the electrochromic area: the thickness of the first transparent conductive layer, the thickness of the second transparent conductive layer, and the ion migration rate of the electrochromic functional layer. By adjusting the thickness of the electrode layers (the first and / or the second transparent conductive layer), the sheet resistance of the electrode layer in the middle region is made smaller than that in the edge region, thereby shortening the color-changing response time difference between the middle and edge regions of the electrochromic device. By changing the ion migration rate of the electrochromic functional layer at different locations, the ion migration rate of the electrochromic functional layer in the middle region is made higher than that in the edge region, thereby shortening the color-changing response time difference between the middle and edge regions of the electrochromic device. This improves the uniformity of the overall response time of the electrochromic device during color change and shortens the overall response time of the electrochromic device.

[0026] It should be understood that the description in this section is not intended to identify key or essential features of the embodiments of the present invention, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the invention. Other features of the invention will become readily apparent from the following description. Attached Figure Description

[0027] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0028] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of the structure of an electrochromic device provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the structure of another electrochromic device provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the structure of another electrochromic device provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the structure of another electrochromic device provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the structure of another electrochromic device provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a partitioned pattern of a transparent conductive layer provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of another partitioned pattern of a transparent conductive layer provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of another partitioned pattern of a transparent conductive layer provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the electrolyte layer prepared by partitioning in an electrochromic device provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an electrochromic layer prepared by partitioning in an electrochromic device provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an electrochromic layer prepared by partitioning in another electrochromic device provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0039] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present invention, the technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort should fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0040] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," etc., in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this invention are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such data can be interchanged where appropriate so that the embodiments of the invention described herein can be implemented in orders other than those illustrated or described herein. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion; for example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that comprises a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units not explicitly listed or inherent to such processes, methods, products, or apparatus.

[0041] This invention provides an electrochromic device. Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of the structure of an electrochromic device provided in an embodiment of the present invention, with reference to... Figure 1 The electrochromic device includes: a first transparent conductive layer 10, a second transparent conductive layer 30, and an electrochromic functional layer 20 located between the first transparent conductive layer 10 and the second transparent conductive layer 30;

[0042] Specifically, at least one of the following is different between the edge region and the middle region of the electrochromic region in the electrochromic device: the thickness of the first transparent conductive layer 10, the thickness of the second transparent conductive layer 30, and the ion migration velocity of the electrochromic functional layer 20. This ensures that the response time difference between the edge region and the middle region of the electrochromic area is less than a preset value when the electrochromic device changes color. The preset value is less than or equal to 20 ms. For example, the preset value can be 20 ms, 10 ms, or 5 ms, etc., and can be determined according to the actual situation.

[0043] Specifically, the material of the first transparent conductive layer 10 may include one or a combination of at least two of FTO (fluorine-silicon oxide), ITO (indium tin oxide), IGZO (indium gallium zinc oxide), AZO (aluminum zinc oxide), GZO (gallium zinc oxide), and Ag. The material of the second transparent conductive layer 30 may include one or a combination of at least two of FTO (fluorine-silicon oxide), ITO (indium tin oxide), IGZO (indium gallium zinc oxide), AZO (aluminum zinc oxide), GZO (gallium zinc oxide), and Ag. The electrochromic functional layer 20 is located between the first transparent conductive layer 10 and the second transparent conductive layer 30. The optical properties of the electrochromic functional layer 20, such as color, transmittance, reflectance, and absorptivity, can undergo stable and reversible changes under the action of an applied electric field.

[0044] refer to Figure 1 The first structural combination layer of the electrochromic device can be a structure of "first substrate 11 - first transparent conductive layer 10 - ion storage layer 23 - electrolyte layer 22 - electrochromic layer 21 - second transparent conductive layer 30 - second substrate 12", that is, the electrochromic functional layer 20 can include the electrochromic layer 21, electrolyte layer 22 and ion storage layer 23 stacked sequentially. In some other embodiments of the present invention, refer to Figure 2 The second structural combination layer of the electrochromic device can be a structure of "first substrate 11 - first transparent conductive layer 10 - electrochromic layer 21 - electrolyte layer 22 - electrochromic layer 21 - first transparent conductive layer 10 - second substrate 12", that is, the electrochromic functional layer 20 can include an electrochromic layer 21, an electrolyte layer 22 and another electrochromic layer 21 stacked sequentially. (Reference) Figure 3 The third structural combination layer of the electrochromic device can be a structure of "first substrate 11 - first transparent conductive layer 10 - electrolyte layer 22 - electrochromic layer 21 - second transparent conductive layer 30 - second substrate 12", that is, the electrochromic functional layer 20 can include the electrochromic layer 21 and the electrolyte layer 22. (Reference) Figure 4 The fourth structural combination layer of the electrochromic device is the structure of "first substrate 11 - first transparent conductive layer 10 - electrochromic layer 21 - second transparent conductive layer 30 - second substrate 12", that is, the electrochromic functional layer 20 may only include the electrochromic layer 21.

[0045] The transparent conductive layer (TC), together with the substrate, forms a transparent conductive glass that serves as a transparent electrode. The ion storage layer (CE) acts as an ion balancer, providing and storing the ions required for color change; reversible redox substances are typically used. The electrolyte layer 22, also known as the ion conductor layer (IC), conducts the ions required for the color-changing reaction. The materials of the electrolyte layer 22 include, but are not limited to, lithium-containing polymethyl methacrylate and polyoxyethylene / LiCl. The electrochromic layer (EC) is the core of the entire electrochromic glass and is the layer where the color-changing reaction occurs. Electrochromic materials are divided into inorganic and organic electrochromic materials. Inorganic electrochromic materials include, but are not limited to, WoO3, MoO3, TiO2, IrO, and NiO. Organic electrochromic materials can include polythiophene compounds and their derivatives, viologen compounds, tetrathiofulvalene compounds, and metal phthalocyanine compounds.

[0046] The thickness of the electrode layer (first transparent conductive layer 10 and / or second transparent conductive layer 30) is adjusted so that the sheet resistance of the electrode layer in the middle region is less than that in the edge region, thereby shortening the color-changing response time difference between the middle and edge regions of the color-changing device; and / or, any one or more film layers in the electrochromic functional layer 20 are prepared in sections, and the ion migration rate of any one or more film layers in the electrochromic functional layer 20 at different positions is changed so that the ion migration rate of the electrochromic functional layer 20 in the middle region is higher than that in the edge region, thereby shortening the color-changing response time difference between the middle and edge regions of the color-changing device, so that the response time difference between the edge and middle regions of the electrochromic area is less than a preset value when the electrochromic device changes color, thereby improving the uniformity of the overall response time of the electrochromic device when changing color and shortening the response time of the electrochromic device.

[0047] The electrochromic device provided in this embodiment of the invention includes: a first transparent conductive layer 10, a second transparent conductive layer 30, and an electrochromic functional layer 20 located between the first transparent conductive layer 10 and the second transparent conductive layer 30; at least one of the following is different between the edge region and the middle region of the electrochromic area in the electrochromic device: the thickness of the first transparent conductive layer 10, the thickness of the second transparent conductive layer 30, and the ion migration rate of the electrochromic functional layer 20; by adjusting the thickness of the electrode layer (the first transparent conductive layer 10 and / or the second transparent conductive layer 30), the electrochromic device can achieve the desired effect. The sheet resistance of the electrode layer in the middle region is less than that in the edge region, thereby shortening the color-changing response time difference between the middle and edge regions of the color-changing device. By changing the ion migration velocity of the electrochromic functional layer 20 at different positions, the ion migration velocity of the electrochromic functional layer 20 in the middle region is made higher than that in the edge region, thereby shortening the color-changing response time difference between the middle and edge regions of the color-changing device. This improves the uniformity of the overall response time of the electrochromic device during color change and shortens the response time of the electrochromic device.

[0048] In one embodiment of the present invention, reference is made to... Figures 1-4 The thickness of the first transparent conductive layer 10 located in the edge region of the electrochromic region is less than the thickness of the first transparent conductive layer 10 located in the middle region of the electrochromic region; and / or, the thickness of the second transparent conductive layer 30 located in the edge region of the electrochromic region is less than the thickness of the second transparent conductive layer 30 located in the middle region of the electrochromic region.

[0049] Specifically, to improve the uniformity of the response time across the entire surface of the electrochromic device during color change, the transparent conductive layer in the central region of the electrochromic device can be thickened to reduce its resistance. The factors affecting the conductivity of the transparent conductive layer are its sheet resistance γ, film thickness d, and resistivity ρ. The relationship between these three is: γ = ρ / d. The thicker the transparent conductive layer, the lower the sheet resistance, meaning a smaller resistance per unit area. The thickness of the first transparent conductive layer 10 located at the edge of the electrochromic region can be less than the thickness of the first transparent conductive layer 10 located in the central region of the electrochromic region; similarly, the thickness of the second transparent conductive layer 30 located at the edge of the electrochromic region can be less than the thickness of the second transparent conductive layer 30 located in the central region of the electrochromic region. For example, the thickness of the transparent conductive layer in the central region can be 50 nm, and the thickness at the edge can be 25 nm.

[0050] Optionally, the thickness difference between the middle region and the edge region of the transparent conductive layer can range from 10 nm to 1000 nm. For example, the thickness of the conductive layer in the edge region is 20 nm, and the thickness of the conductive layer in the middle region is 50 nm; or the thickness of the conductive layer in the edge region is 50 nm, and the thickness of the conductive layer in the middle region is 100 nm. A thicker transparent conductive layer increases the difficulty of its fabrication. Therefore, setting the thickness difference between the middle region and the edge region of the transparent conductive layer to a range of 10 nm to 1000 nm can prevent the difference from being too large, which would increase the difficulty of fabricating the transparent conductive layer; and can also prevent the difference from being too small, which would affect the uniformity of the overall response time.

[0051] Optional, see reference Figure 1 and Figure 4 The surface of the first transparent conductive layer 10 away from the electrochromic functional layer 20 is a curved surface that bends away from the electrochromic functional layer 20, while the surface of the first transparent conductive layer 10 near the electrochromic functional layer 20 is a flat surface. This results in the thickness of the first transparent conductive layer 10 located at the edge of the electrochromic region being less than the thickness of the first transparent conductive layer 10 located in the middle region of the electrochromic region. Similarly, the surface of the second transparent conductive layer 30 away from the electrochromic functional layer 20 is a curved surface that bends away from the electrochromic functional layer 20, while the surface of the second transparent conductive layer 30 near the electrochromic functional layer 20 is a flat surface. This results in the thickness of the second transparent conductive layer 30 located at the edge of the electrochromic region being less than the thickness of the first transparent conductive layer 10 located in the middle region of the electrochromic region. At this time, since the surface of the first transparent conductive layer 10 near the electrochromic functional layer 20 is a plane, and the surface of the second transparent conductive layer 30 near the electrochromic functional layer 20 is a plane, the electrochromic functional layer 20 can be a planar structure with uniform thickness, thereby improving the uniformity of color or transparency after the electrochromic functional layer 20 changes color.

[0052] Optional, Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the structure of another electrochromic device provided in an embodiment of the present invention, with reference to... Figure 5 The surface of the first transparent conductive layer 10 near the electrochromic functional layer 20 is a curved surface that bends towards the electrochromic functional layer 20, while the surface of the first transparent conductive layer 10 away from the electrochromic functional layer 20 is a flat surface. This allows the thickness of the first transparent conductive layer 10 located at the edge of the electrochromic region to be less than the thickness of the first transparent conductive layer 10 located in the middle region of the electrochromic region, while also ensuring that the first substrate 11 has a planar structure. This prevents the curved surface structure of the first substrate 11 from affecting light propagation.

[0053] Alternatively, the surface of the second transparent conductive layer 30 near the electrochromic functional layer 20 can be a curved surface (not shown) that bends towards the electrochromic functional layer 20, while the surface of the second transparent conductive layer 30 away from the electrochromic functional layer 20 can be a flat surface. This allows the thickness of the second transparent conductive layer 30 located at the edge of the electrochromic region to be less than the thickness of the first transparent conductive layer 10 located in the middle region of the electrochromic region, while also allowing the second substrate 12 to have a planar structure. This prevents the curved surface structure of the second substrate 12 from affecting the direction of light propagation.

[0054] Based on the above embodiments, please continue to refer to Figures 1-5 In one embodiment of the present invention, the thickness of the first transparent conductive layer 10 gradually decreases along the direction from the center of the electrochromic region to the edge of the electrochromic region, and / or the thickness of the second transparent conductive layer 30 gradually decreases.

[0055] This can be understood as follows: the first transparent conductive layer 10 is a single conductive film layer, and its thickness gradually decreases along the direction from the center to the edge of the electrochromic region, meaning the thickness of the first transparent conductive layer 10 changes from the center to the edge. The second transparent conductive layer 30 is also a single conductive film layer, and its thickness gradually decreases along the direction from the center to the edge of the electrochromic region, meaning the thickness of the second transparent conductive layer 30 changes from the center to the edge. Since the voltage input is located at the edge of the device, the response time of the electrochromic device gradually increases towards the direction away from the edge. Therefore, by setting the thickness of the first transparent conductive layer 10 and / or the second transparent conductive layer 30 to gradually decrease along the direction from the center to the edge of the electrochromic region, the uniformity of the overall response time of the electrochromic device during color change can be further improved, or simultaneous color change can be achieved, thus shortening the response time of the electrochromic device.

[0056] Based on the above embodiments, Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a partitioned pattern of a transparent conductive layer provided in an embodiment of the present invention, for reference. Figure 6 In another embodiment of the present invention, the electrochromic region includes a plurality of color-changing sub-regions; the first transparent conductive layer 10 located in the same color-changing sub-region has the same thickness, and the second transparent conductive layer 30 located in the same color-changing sub-region has the same thickness.

[0057] Along the direction from the center A of the electrochromic region to the edge of the electrochromic region, the thickness of the first transparent conductive layer 10 of different color-changing sub-regions gradually decreases, and / or the thickness of the second transparent conductive layer 30 of different color-changing sub-regions gradually decreases.

[0058] Specifically, the electrochromic region of the electrochromic device can be divided into multiple color-changing sub-regions; the shape of the color-changing sub-regions can be at least one of triangles, polygons, circles, rings, and irregular shapes. Preferably, the shape of the color-changing sub-regions is rectangular, simplifying the adjustment of the conductive layer thickness. The first transparent conductive layer 10 located in the same color-changing sub-region has the same thickness, and the second transparent conductive layer 30 located in the same color-changing sub-region has the same thickness. Along the direction from the center A of the electrochromic region to the edge of the electrochromic region, the thickness of the first transparent conductive layer 10 in different color-changing sub-regions gradually decreases, and / or, the thickness of the second transparent conductive layer 30 in different color-changing sub-regions gradually decreases. The thickness of the transparent conductive layer at different positions in the electrochromic device can be adjusted adaptively, improving the uniformity of the overall response time of the electrochromic device during color change while reducing the difficulty of adjusting the thickness of the transparent conductive layer. The first transparent conductive layer 10 can be a single conductive film layer; or it can be divided into multiple transparent electrodes according to the color-changing sub-regions, with adjacent transparent electrodes electrically connected by wires. The second transparent conductive layer 30 can be a single conductive film layer; or it can be divided into multiple transparent electrodes according to the color-changing sub-region, with adjacent transparent electrodes electrically connected by wires.

[0059] Optional, Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of another partitioned pattern of a transparent conductive layer provided in an embodiment of the present invention, see reference. Figure 7 The multiple color-changing sub-regions include a central color-changing sub-region and multiple annular color-changing sub-regions sequentially surrounding the central color-changing sub-region. The first transparent conductive layer 10 located in the same color-changing sub-region has the same thickness, and the second transparent conductive layer 30 located in the same color-changing sub-region also has the same thickness. This further reduces the number of color-changing sub-regions and simplifies the difficulty of partitioning the thickness of the first transparent conductive layer 10. It should be noted that... Figure 6 and Figure 7 In the division method of the color-changing sub-region, the external electrodes of the first transparent conductive layer 10 / second transparent conductive layer 30 are wired from the periphery of the first transparent conductive layer 10 / second transparent conductive layer 30. For example, when the first transparent conductive layer 10 / second transparent conductive layer 30 is rectangular, the external electrodes are wired from all four sides (side a, side b, side c and side d).

[0060] Optional, Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of another partitioned pattern of a transparent conductive layer provided in an embodiment of the present invention, see reference. Figure 8The electrochromic region comprises multiple rectangular color-changing sub-regions arranged in the same row. Along the center A of the electrochromic region, pointing towards both sides of the region, the thickness of the first transparent conductive layer 10 in each sub-region gradually decreases, and / or the thickness of the second transparent conductive layer 30 in each sub-region gradually decreases. At this time, the external electrodes of the first transparent conductive layer 10 / second transparent conductive layer 30 are routed from opposite sides (e.g., sides b and d). This reduces the routing of external electrodes and simplifies the wiring setup.

[0061] Based on the above embodiments, in one embodiment of the present invention, reference is made to... Figure 1 The electrochromic functional layer 20 includes an electrochromic layer 21, an electrolyte layer 22, and an ion storage layer 23 stacked sequentially; wherein the ion storage layer 23 is closer to the first transparent conductive layer 10; and the electrochromic layer 21 is closer to the second transparent conductive layer 30.

[0062] The ion migration velocity of at least one of the electrochromic layer 21, electrolyte layer 22, and ion storage layer 23 located in the edge region of the electrochromic device is lower than that of at least one of the electrochromic layer 21, electrolyte layer 22, and ion storage layer 23 located in the middle region. This results in the ion migration velocity of the electrochromic functional layer 20 in the middle region being higher than that in the edge region, thereby shortening the color-changing response time difference between the middle and edge regions of the color-changing device.

[0063] Based on the above embodiments, in one embodiment of the present invention, the electrochromic region includes multiple color-changing sub-regions, and along the direction from the center of the electrochromic region to the edge of the electrochromic region, the ion migration rate of at least one of the electrochromic layer 21, electrolyte layer 22 and ion storage layer 23 in different color-changing sub-regions gradually decreases.

[0064] Specifically, the electrochromic region includes multiple color-changing sub-regions, and at least one of the electrochromic layer 21, electrolyte layer 22, and ion storage layer 23 is prepared in sections. Along the direction from the center of the electrochromic region to its edge, the ion migration rate of at least one of the electrochromic layer 21, electrolyte layer 22, and ion storage layer 23 in different color-changing sub-regions gradually decreases. This can change the ion migration speed of the electrochromic functional layer 20 at different locations, allowing for adaptive adjustments to the ion migration speed of the electrochromic functional layer 20 at different locations in the electrochromic device. This enables the entire electrochromic region of the electrochromic device to change color simultaneously, further improving the uniformity of the overall response time during color change and shortening the response time of the electrochromic device.

[0065] The electrolyte layer 22 (IC layer) needs to have high ion permeability and low electron permeability, and can be liquid, gel, or solid. A gel is a state between liquid and solid; it can be formed by doping a conductive polymer into a liquid electrolyte to create a sol-gel. Compared to liquid electrolytes, it has stable chemical properties, good adhesion, and also good ionic conductivity and response time. Solid electrolytes include lithium salts such as LiAIF and LiNbO.

[0066] Based on the above embodiments, Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the electrolyte layer prepared in sections in an electrochromic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. (Refer to...) Figure 9 In one embodiment of the present invention, the material of the electrolyte layer 22 includes a gel-like electrolyte; the ion concentration of the electrolyte layer 22 in different color-changing sub-regions gradually decreases along the direction from the center of the electrochromic region to the edge of the electrochromic region.

[0067] Specifically, when the thickness of the transparent conductive layer is the same across the entire electrochromic device, the ion concentration of the electrolyte layer 22 at different locations can be varied. By using a gel-based electrolyte to prepare the electrolyte layer 22 in sections, increasing the solute concentration within the gel electrolyte can improve the ion migration rate. Increasing the solvent concentration within the gel electrolyte in the central region of the electrochromic device can further increase the ion migration rate in that region, thus achieving simultaneous color change with the glass edge. In this embodiment, the electrochromic region includes multiple color-changing sub-regions. Using a gel-based electrolyte to prepare the electrolyte layer 22 in sections allows for adaptive adjustments to the ion migration rate of the electrolyte layer 22 at different locations within the electrochromic device. This enables simultaneous color change across the entire electrochromic region of the electrochromic device, further improving the uniformity of the overall response time during color change and shortening the overall response time of the electrochromic device.

[0068] Optionally, in another embodiment of the present invention, the electrolyte layer 22 has a porous structure; the porosity of the electrolyte layer 22 in different color-changing sub-regions gradually decreases along the direction from the center of the electrochromic region to the edge of the electrochromic region.

[0069] Specifically, the response time of the electrochromic device is related to the structure of the electrochromic functional layer 20. Thin films with a loose, porous structure experience less resistance during ion implantation or withdrawal, making migration easier and resulting in a shorter response time. The electrolyte layer 22 in the middle region of the electrochromic device can be prepared by increasing the deposition gas pressure. Increasing the gas pressure increases the chances of the electrolyte layer 22 material being impacted and scattered by the reactive gas, reducing the migration ability of deposited particles on the substrate surface and making it easier to form a loosely structured, porous thin film. A loose, porous structure can be understood as a porous, fluffy film structure with a relatively low density. The electrolyte layer 22 is prepared in a partitioned manner. Along the direction from the center of the electrochromic region to the edge of the electrochromic region, the porosity of the electrolyte layer 22 in different color-changing sub-regions gradually decreases. This is to adapt and adjust the ion migration rate of the electrolyte layer 22 at different positions in the electrochromic device, so that the entire electrochromic region of the electrochromic device can change color simultaneously. This further improves the uniformity of the response time of the entire surface of the electrochromic device during color change and shortens the response time of the electrochromic device.

[0070] For example, the electrolyte layer in the middle region of the electrochromic device has a porous structure. Taking a Li salt compound as an example, the diameter of a Li ion is approximately 6 nm. To ensure a fast color-changing response in the middle region, it is necessary to allow the migration of up to five Li ions simultaneously. Therefore, the pore size of the electrolyte layer can be around 30 nm. Gradually, the pore size of the electrolyte layer decreases towards the edge of the electrochromic device, decreasing from 30 nm to 6 nm from the middle to the edge. In other words, the greater the porosity of the electrolyte layer, the larger the pore size within it.

[0071] Based on the above embodiments, Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an electrochromic layer fabricated in sections in an electrochromic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. (Refer to...) Figure 10 In one embodiment of the present invention, the electrochromic layer 21 has a porous structure; along the direction from the center of the electrochromic region to the edge of the electrochromic region, the porosity of the electrochromic layer 21 in different color-changing sub-regions gradually decreases.

[0072] Specifically, the electrochromic layer 21 in the middle region of the electrochromic device can be prepared by increasing the deposition gas pressure. Increasing the gas pressure increases the chances of the electrochromic layer 21 being impacted and scattered by the reactive gas, reducing the migration ability of deposited particles on the substrate surface and making it easier to form a porous film with a loose structure. The electrochromic layer 21 is prepared in sections, with the porosity of the electrochromic layer 21 gradually decreasing along the direction from the center of the electrochromic region to its edge. This allows for the adaptive adjustment of the ion migration rate of the electrochromic layer 21 at different locations in the electrochromic device, enabling simultaneous color change across the entire electrochromic region of the device. This further improves the uniformity of the overall response time during color change and shortens the response time of the electrochromic device. In other embodiments of the present invention, the porous film structure is not limited to the electrochromic layer 21 and the electrolyte layer 22, but can also be an ion storage layer 23.

[0073] Based on the above embodiments, please continue to refer to Figure 10 In one embodiment of the present invention, the spacing between the electrochromic layers 21 in two adjacent color-changing sub-regions is less than or equal to 0.1 mm. This can be understood as the distance between the electrochromic layers 21 in adjacent color-changing sub-regions being controlled within 0.1 mm, so that the human eye does not perceive the color-changing area as a segmented effect, but rather as a full-surface color change.

[0074] It should be noted that, Figure 9 The preparation method of the 22-partition middle electrolyte layer and Figure 10 The electrochromic layer 21 is fabricated in the same way, and the external electrodes of the first transparent conductive layer 10 / second transparent conductive layer 30 are wired from around the first transparent conductive layer 10 / second transparent conductive layer 30, such as... Figure 6 When the first transparent conductive layer 10 and the second transparent conductive layer 30 are rectangular, the external electrodes are wired from all four sides (side a, side b, side c, and side d). Additionally, the electrolyte layer 22, the electrochromic layer 21, and the ion storage layer 23 can also be fabricated according to... Figure 7 The partitioning method is used to prepare the partitions.

[0075] Alternatively, the electrolyte layer 22, the electrochromic layer 21, and the ion storage layer 23 can also be prepared according to... Figure 8 The partitioning method is used to prepare the partitions. For example, Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the electrochromic layer prepared by partitioning in another electrochromic device provided in an embodiment of the present invention, with reference to... Figure 11The electroluminescent device includes multiple rectangular electrochromic layers 21 arranged in the same row. Along the center A of the electrochromic region, pointing towards both sides of the electrochromic region, the ion migration velocity of the electrochromic layer 21 gradually decreases. At this time, the external electrodes of the first transparent conductive layer 10 / second transparent conductive layer 30 are wired from opposite sides (e.g., side b and side d).

[0076] This invention also provides a method for fabricating an electrochromic device, used to fabricate the electrochromic device described in any of the above embodiments; comprising:

[0077] S110. A first substrate is provided, and a first transparent conductive layer is formed on the surface of the first substrate.

[0078] Specifically, the first substrate can be float glass, ultra-clear glass, high-alumina glass, medium-alumina glass, various colored glasses (such as gray glass, green glass, lake blue glass, etc.), PET (Polyethylene terephthalate) film, etc. The substrate glass layer is heated to a preset temperature, such as 280-300°C, and a first transparent conductive layer is deposited using one or more combinations of FTO, ITO, IGZO, AZO, GZO, and Ag as the target material under a preset vacuum sputtering pressure. The preset vacuum sputtering pressure is, for example, 1.0E. -3 ~9.0E -3 mbar.

[0079] S120, an electrochromic functional layer is formed on the side of the first transparent conductive layer away from the first substrate.

[0080] Specifically, the electrochromic functional layer may include an electrochromic layer, an electrolyte layer, and an ion storage layer stacked sequentially; or, the electrochromic functional layer may include an electrochromic layer, an electrolyte layer, and another electrochromic layer stacked sequentially; or, the electrochromic functional layer may include an electrochromic layer and an electrolyte layer; or, the electrochromic functional layer may include only an electrochromic layer. Taking an electrochromic functional layer comprising an electrochromic layer, an electrolyte layer, and an ion storage layer stacked sequentially as an example, forming the electrochromic functional layer on the side of the first transparent conductive layer away from the first substrate includes: sequentially forming an ion storage layer, an electrolyte layer, and an electrochromic layer on the side of the first transparent conductive layer away from the first substrate.

[0081] The ion storage layer (CE) acts as an ion balancer, providing and storing the ions required for color change, and typically uses reversible redox substances. The electrolyte layer, also known as the ion conductor layer (IC), conducts the ions needed for the color-changing reaction. Materials for the electrolyte layer include, but are not limited to, lithium-containing polymethyl methacrylate and polyoxyethylene / LiCl. The electron-chromatic layer (EC) is the core of the entire electrochromic glass and is the layer where the color-changing reaction occurs. Electrochromic materials are divided into inorganic and organic electrochromic materials. Inorganic electrochromic materials include, but are not limited to, WoO3, MoO3, TiO2, IrO, and NiO. Organic electrochromic materials can include polythiophene compounds and their derivatives, viologens, tetrathiofulvalene, and metal phthalocyanine compounds.

[0082] S130. A second substrate is provided, and a second transparent conductive layer is formed on the surface of the second substrate.

[0083] Specifically, the second substrate can be float glass, ultra-clear glass, high-alumina glass, medium-alumina glass, various colored glasses (such as gray glass, green glass, lake blue glass, etc.), PET (Polyethylene terephthalate) film, etc. The substrate glass layer is heated to a preset temperature, such as 280-300°C, and a second transparent conductive layer is deposited using one or more combinations of FTO, ITO, IGZO, AZO, GZO, and Ag as the target material under a preset vacuum sputtering pressure. The preset vacuum sputtering pressure is, for example, 1.0E-3 to 9.0E-3 mbar.

[0084] S140. Cover the side of the second substrate having the second transparent conductive layer with the side of the electrochromic functional layer away from the first substrate; wherein, at least one of the thickness of the first transparent conductive layer, the thickness of the second transparent conductive layer, and the ion migration rate of the electrochromic functional layer located in the edge region and the middle region of the electrochromic region is different, so that the response time difference between the edge region and the middle region of the electrochromic region is less than a preset value when the electrochromic device changes color.

[0085] Specifically, when preparing the transparent conductive layer (first transparent conductive layer and / or second transparent conductive layer), the thickness of the transparent electrode layer is adjusted so that the sheet resistance of the transparent electrode layer in the middle region is less than that in the edge region, thereby shortening the color-changing response time difference between the middle and edge regions of the color-changing device; and / or, when preparing the electrochromic functional layer, any one or more film layers in the electrochromic functional layer are prepared in sections, and the ion migration velocity of any one or more film layers in the electrochromic functional layer at different positions is changed so that the ion migration velocity of the electrochromic functional layer in the middle region is higher than that in the edge region, thereby shortening the color-changing response time difference between the middle and edge regions of the color-changing device, so that the response time difference between the edge and middle regions of the electrochromic area is less than a preset value when the electrochromic device changes color, thereby improving the uniformity of the overall response time of the electrochromic device when changing color and shortening the response time of the electrochromic device.

[0086] Note that the above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and the technical principles employed. Those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, and various obvious changes, readjustments, and substitutions can be made without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, although the present invention has been described in detail through the above embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and may include many other equivalent embodiments without departing from the concept of the present invention, the scope of which is determined by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An electrochromic device, characterized in that, include: A first transparent conductive layer, a second transparent conductive layer, and an electrochromic functional layer located between the first transparent conductive layer and the second transparent conductive layer; In this device, the ion migration rates of the electrochromic functional layer in the edge region and the middle region of the electrochromic area are different, so that the response time difference between the edge region and the middle region of the electrochromic area is less than a preset value when the electrochromic device changes color.

2. The electrochromic device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The thickness of the first transparent conductive layer located at the edge region of the electrochromic region is less than the thickness of the first transparent conductive layer located in the middle region of the electrochromic region. And / or, the thickness of the second transparent conductive layer located in the edge region of the electrochromic region is less than the thickness of the second transparent conductive layer located in the middle region of the electrochromic region.

3. The electrochromic device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The preset value is less than or equal to 20ms, and the thickness difference between the middle region thickness and the edge region thickness of the first transparent conductive layer is in the range of 10nm~1000nm. And / or, the thickness difference between the middle region thickness and the edge region thickness of the second transparent conductive layer ranges from 10 nm to 1000 nm.

4. The electrochromic device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The electrochromic region includes multiple color-changing sub-regions; the first transparent conductive layer located in the same color-changing sub-region has the same thickness, and the second transparent conductive layer located in the same color-changing sub-region has the same thickness; Along the direction from the center of the electrochromic region to the edge of the electrochromic region, the thickness of the first transparent conductive layer in different color-changing sub-regions gradually decreases, and / or, the thickness of the second transparent conductive layer in different color-changing sub-regions gradually decreases.

5. The electrochromic device according to claim 2, characterized in that, Along the direction from the center of the electrochromic region to the edge of the electrochromic region, the thickness of the first transparent conductive layer gradually decreases, and / or the thickness of the second transparent conductive layer gradually decreases.

6. The electrochromic device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The electrochromic functional layer includes at least an electrochromic layer, an electrolyte layer, and an electrochromic layer in an ion storage layer. The electrochromic region includes multiple color-changing sub-regions. Along the direction from the center of the electrochromic region to its edge, the ion migration rate of at least one of the electrochromic layer, electrolyte layer, and ion storage layer in different color-changing sub-regions gradually decreases. The material of the electrolyte layer includes a gel-type electrolyte. Along the direction from the center of the electrochromic region to its edge, the ion concentration of the electrolyte layer in different color-changing sub-regions gradually decreases.

7. The electrochromic device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The electrolyte layer has a porous and loose structure; the porosity of the electrolyte layer in different color-changing sub-regions gradually decreases along the direction from the center of the electrochromic region to the edge of the electrochromic region; and / or The electrochromic layer has a porous and loose structure; along the direction from the center of the electrochromic region to the edge of the electrochromic region, the porosity of the electrochromic layer in different color-changing sub-regions gradually decreases.

8. The electrochromic device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The porous structure has a pore size that decreases from 30 nm to 6 nm from the center to the edge.

9. The electrochromic device according to claim 6, characterized in that, In two adjacent color-changing sub-regions, the spacing between the electrochromic layers is less than or equal to 0.1 mm, and / or the spacing between the ion storage layers is less than or equal to 0.1 mm.

10. A method for preparing an electrochromic device, characterized in that, For preparing the electrochromic device according to any one of claims 1 to 9; comprising: A first substrate is provided, and a first transparent conductive layer is formed on the surface of the first substrate; An electrochromic functional layer is formed on the side of the first transparent conductive layer away from the first substrate; A second substrate is provided, and a second transparent conductive layer is formed on the surface of the second substrate; The side of the second substrate having the second transparent conductive layer is covered on the side of the electrochromic functional layer away from the first substrate; wherein, at least one of the thickness of the first transparent conductive layer, the thickness of the second transparent conductive layer, and the ion migration rate of the electrochromic functional layer located in the edge region and the middle region of the electrochromic region is different, so that the response time difference between the edge region and the middle region of the electrochromic region is less than a preset value when the electrochromic device changes color.

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