Seals for electrochromic devices

Abstract

The electrochromic article includes a first substrate having a first surface and an opposite second surface, and a second substrate having a third surface and an opposite fourth surface separated from the first substrate. The second surface of the first substrate faces the third surface of the second substrate, and a first electrode is disposed on at least a portion of the second surface of the first substrate. A second electrode is disposed on at least a portion of the third surface of the second substrate. A sealant material is disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. An electrochromic composition is disposed in direct contact with at least a portion of the first electrode and at least a portion of the second electrode. The sealant material has a viscosity of 2 cc·mm / m. 2 It is formed from an organic polymer material with an oxygen transmission rate (OTR) of 0.1 MPa or less.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] (Cross-reference of related applications) This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 091,683, filed on 14 October 2020, the disclosure thereof being incorporated in its entirety by reference.

[0002] (Technical field) The present invention relates to a transparent electrochromic device, and more particularly to a transparent electrochromic device having a single sealant material. [Background technology]

[0003] Electrochromic switchable transparent materials are often used when it is desired to change the visible light transmittance through a transparent material or glass (glazing). For example, though not limiting to the discussion, a switchable transparent material can be used as a transparent material in a building to provide the user with the ability to increase or decrease the visible light transmittance of the transparent material. In the case of fully autonomous vehicles, it is conceivable that an electrochromic switchable transparent film could be used as a windshield.

[0004] One type of electrochromic transparent body or system comprises an electrochromic composition having together an anode compound and a cathode compound between a pair of spaced-apart electrode assemblies. In one arrangement, an electrode assembly comprises electrodes mounted on the surface of a glass sheet. The pair of electrode assemblies are mounted spaced apart from each other, with the electrodes facing each other and in electrical contact with the electrochromic composition between the electrodes.

[0005] The electrochromic composition between two electrode assemblies is held in place and isolated from the surroundings using multiple sealant materials. The electrochromic transparent material typically uses a mechanical barrier in contact with the electrochromic composition to hold it in place, and a permeable barrier in contact with the mechanical barrier to keep moisture and oxygen away from the electrochromic composition.

[0006] It is understandable that providing a single sealant material that serves both as a mechanical barrier and a permeable barrier in electrochromic transparent materials would be advantageous. [Overview of the Initiative]

[0007] The present invention relates to an electrochromic article. The electrochromic article includes a first substrate having a first surface and a second surface on the opposite side, and a second substrate having a third surface separated from the first substrate and a fourth surface on the opposite side. The second surface of the first substrate faces the third surface of the second substrate. A first electrode is positioned on at least a portion of the second surface of the first substrate. A second electrode is positioned on at least a portion of the third surface of the second substrate, and the first electrode is separated from the second electrode. A sealant material is positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode. The electrochromic composition is positioned in direct contact with at least a portion of the first electrode and at least a portion of the second electrode. The sealant material has an oxygen permeability (OTR) of 2 cubic centimeters. Ru / (square meters, 1 day, 1 atmosphere) (i.e., the unit is c) c / m 2 It is formed from organic polymer materials of the following magnitude (day·atm).

[0008] The present invention also relates to a method for preparing an electrochromic article. A first substrate is provided having a first surface and a second surface on the opposite side. A first electrode is placed on at least a portion of the second surface of the first substrate. A sealant material is applied in direct contact with at least a portion of the first electrode. An electrochromic composition is applied in direct contact with at least a portion of the sealant material and in direct contact with at least a portion of the sealant material. A second substrate is provided having a third surface and a fourth surface on the opposite side. A second electrode is placed on at least a portion of the third surface of the second substrate. The second electrode is in direct contact with at least a portion of the sealant material and the electrochromic composition A first substrate having a first electrode, a sealant material, and an electrochromic composition is brought into contact with a second substrate having a second electrode, so as to be in direct contact with at least a portion of the material. Pressure and heat are applied to form an electrochromic article. The sealant material has an oxygen permeability (OTR) of 2 cubic centimeters. Ru / (square meters, 1 day, 1 atmosphere) (i.e., the unit is c) c / m 2 It is formed from organic polymer materials of the following magnitude (day·atm).

[0009] The present invention relates to an insulating glass unit. The insulating glass unit includes a modified first ply. The modified first ply includes a first substrate having a first surface and a second surface on the opposite side, and a second substrate having a third surface separated from the first substrate and a fourth surface on the opposite side. The second surface of the first substrate faces the third surface of the second substrate. A first electrode is positioned on at least a portion of the second surface of the first substrate. A second electrode is positioned on at least a portion of the third surface of the second substrate, and the first electrode is separated from the second electrode. A sealant material is positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode. The electrochromic composition is positioned in direct contact with at least a portion of the first electrode and at least a portion of the second electrode. The sealant material has an oxygen permeability (OTR) of 2 cubic centimeters. Ru / (square meters, 1 day, 1 atmosphere) (i.e., the unit is c)c / m 2 ·day·atm), and is formed from the following organic polymer materials. The insulating glass unit includes a second ply having a No. 3 surface and a No. 4 surface. The second ply is remote from the first modified ply, and the first modified ply and the second ply are connected together.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010] [Figure 1A] A cross-sectional view of an electrochromic article according to an example of the present invention (not to scale).

[0011] [Figure 1B] A cross-sectional view of an electrochromic article according to an example of the present invention (not to scale).

[0012] [Figure 2A] A cross-sectional view of an electrochromic article according to an example of the present invention (not to scale).

[0013] [Figure 2B] A cross-sectional view of an electrochromic article according to an example of the present invention (not to scale).

[0014] [Figure 3] An insulating glass unit including an electrochromic article according to an example of the present invention.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] As used herein, spatial or directional terms such as "left", "right", "inner", "outer", "upper", "lower", etc. relate to the present invention as it is shown in the drawings. However, it should be understood that the present invention can assume various alternative orientations, and thus such terms should not be considered limiting. Further, as used herein, all numbers representing dimensions, physical properties, processing parameters, amounts of components, reaction conditions, etc., used in the specification and claims, should in all cases be understood to be modified by the term "about". Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical values set forth in the following specification and claims are subject to change depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the present invention. At a minimum, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the claims, each numerical value should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Further, all ranges disclosed herein are to be understood to encompass the starting and ending values of the range, and every subrange subsumed therein. For example, a recited range of "1 to 10" is considered to include every subrange between and including the minimum value 1 and the maximum value 10, i.e., all subranges beginning with a minimum value of 1 or more and ending with a maximum value of 10 or less, such as, for example, 1 to 3.3, 4.7 to 7.5, 5.5 to 10, etc. "A" or "an" refers to one or more.

[0016] Furthermore, as used herein, the terms “formed over,” “deposited over,” or “provided over” mean that something is formed on, deposited on, or provided on a surface, but does not necessarily have to be in contact with the surface. For example, a coating layer “formed on” a substrate does not preclude the presence of one or more other coating layers or films of the same or different composition located between the formed coating layer and the substrate. Furthermore, but not limited to, all documents referenced herein, such as published patents and patent applications, are considered to be “incorporated by reference” in their entirety. As used herein, the term “film” means a coated area of ​​a desired or selected coating composition. A “layer” may include one or more “films,” and a “coating” or “coating stack” may include one or more “layers.” The term “asymmetric reflectance” means that the visible light reflectance of a coating from one side is different from the visible light reflectance of a coating from the opposite side.

[0017] To advance the following description, the electrochromic articles described herein may be described with reference to their use with architectural transparency, such as insulated glass units (IGUs), but are not limited thereto. As used herein, the term “architectural transparency” refers to any transparency placed in a building, such as windows and skylights, but are not limited thereto. However, it should be understood that the electrochromic articles described herein are not limited to their use with such architectural transparency, but may be implemented with transparency in any desired field, such as laminated or unlaminated residential and / or commercial windows, insulated glass units, and / or transparency for land, air, space, water, and underwater vehicles, such as autonomous vehicles. Accordingly, it should be understood that the exemplary embodiments or models specifically disclosed are presented merely to illustrate the general concept of the invention, and the invention is not limited to these specific exemplary embodiments. Furthermore, while a typical “transparency” may have sufficient visible light transmittance to allow viewing of materials through the transparency, a “transparency” does not need to be transparent to visible light and may be translucent or opaque. In other words, "transparent" means having a visible light transmittance greater than 0% and up to 100%.

[0018] A non-limiting electrochromic article 10 incorporating features of the present invention is shown in Figure 1A. The electrochromic article 10 includes a first substrate 12 having a first surface 14 and a second surface 16 on the opposite side, and a second substrate 18 having a third surface 20 separated from the first substrate 12 and a fourth surface 22 on the opposite side. The second surface 16 of the first substrate 12 faces the third surface 20 of the second substrate 18. A first electrode 24 is positioned on at least a portion of the second surface 16 of the first substrate 12. A second electrode 30 is positioned on at least a portion of the third surface 20 of the second substrate 18, with the first electrode 24 separated from the second electrode 30. A sealant material 36 is positioned between the first electrode 24 and the second electrode 30. An electrochromic composition 38 is positioned in direct contact with at least a portion of the first electrode 24 and at least a portion of the second electrode 30. As further shown in Figure 1A, the electrochromic composition 38 comprises a first electrode 24, a second electrode 30, and a sealant material 36.

[0019] It is understood that the electrochromic article 10 described herein can be used as a transparent body. As such, the transparent body may include a first substrate 12 having a first surface 14 (No. 1 surface) and a second surface 16 (No. 2 surface) on the opposite side. The electrochromic article 10 includes a second ply 18 having a first surface 20 (No. 3 surface) and a second surface 22 (No. 4 surface) on the opposite side. The first substrate 12 is separated from the second substrate 18. The No. 2 surface 14 of the first substrate 12 faces the No. 3 surface 20 of the second substrate 18. The electrochromic article 10 may have any desired transmittance and / or reflectance of visible light, infrared light, or ultraviolet light.

[0020] In the illustrated non-limiting embodiment, surface No. 1 14 faces the outside of the building and is therefore an exterior surface, and surface No. 2 16 faces the inside of the building. In the non-limiting embodiment, surface No. 3 20 faces the outside of the building and is therefore an exterior surface, and surface No. 4 22 faces the inside of the building.

[0021] In a broad embodiment of the present invention, the substrates 12 and 18 of the electrochromic article 10 may be the same or different materials. The substrates 12 and 18 may include any desired material having any desired properties. For example, one or more of the substrates 12 and 18 may be transparent or translucent to visible light. "Transparent" means having a visible light transmittance greater than 0% and up to 100%. Alternatively, one or more of the substrates 12 and 18 may be translucent. "Translucent" means that it allows electromagnetic energy (e.g., visible light) to pass through but diffuses this energy so that objects on the opposite side of the observer are not clearly visible. Examples of suitable materials include, but are not limited to, plastic substrates (e.g., acrylic polymers such as polyacrylate; polyalkyl methacrylates such as polymethyl methacrylate, polyethyl methacrylate, polypropyl methacrylate; polyurethane; polycarbonate; polyalkyl terephthalates such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate; polysiloxane-containing polymers; or copolymers of any monomers for preparing these, or any mixture thereof); ceramic substrates; glass substrates; or mixtures or combinations of any of the above. For example, one or more of the substrates 12, 18 may include conventional soda-lime silicate glass, borosilicate glass, or lead glass. The glass may be clear glass. “Clear glass” means non-tinted glass or glass without color. Alternatively, the glass may be tinted glass or otherwise colored glass. The glass may be annealed or heat-treated glass. As used herein, the term “heat-treated” means tempered or at least partially tempered. The glass can be of any type, such as conventional float glass, and can be of any composition having any optical properties, such as any values ​​of visible light transmittance, ultraviolet light transmittance, infrared light transmittance, and / or total solar energy transmittance."Float glass" refers to glass formed by the conventional float process, in which molten glass is deposited on a molten metal bath and controlledly cooled to form float glass ribbons. Examples of float glass processes are disclosed in U.S. Patents 4,466,562 and 4,671,155.

[0022] The substrates 12 and 18 may each include, for example, clear float glass, tinted glass, or colored glass, or one substrate 12 or 18 may be clear glass and the other substrate 12 or 18 may be colored glass. Examples of glass suitable for the first substrate 12 and / or the second substrate 18 are described in U.S. Patents 4,746,347, 4,792,536, 5,030,593, 5,030,594, 5,240,886, 5,385,872, and 5,393,593. The substrates 12 and 18 may have any desired dimensions, such as length, width, shape, or thickness. In one exemplary automotive transparent material, the first and second plies can each have a thickness of 1 mm to 10 mm, for example 1 mm to 8 mm, for example 2 mm to 8 mm, for example 3 mm to 7 mm, for example 5 mm to 7 mm, for example 6 mm, for example 4 mm.

[0023] As previously mentioned, the electrochromic article 10 includes a first electrode 24. The first electrode 24 is positioned on at least a portion of the No. 2 surface 16 of the first substrate 12. The edges of the first substrate 12 may extend further outward than the first electrode 24. The first electrode 24 may have one or more connections (not shown) that can be made from one or more external circuits (not shown) to allow current to pass through the first electrode 24. Furthermore, the first electrode 24 has a first surface 26 and a second surface 28. The first surface 26 of the first electrode 24 is supported on the No. 2 surface 16 of the first substrate 12 and preferably firmly attached. The first electrode 24 is transparent to visible light when the electrochromic article 10 is in an "off," "uncolored," or "decolorized" state. The first electrode 24 may be an anode or a cathode. The first electrode 24 may include, but is not limited to, indium-doped tin oxide (ITO), fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO), aluminum-doped zinc oxide (AZO), gallium-doped zinc oxide (GZO), indium-doped zinc oxide (IZO), doped silver, silver, mixtures thereof, or combinations thereof. The first electrode 24 may also include one or more layers of dielectric materials such as oxides of titanium, hafnium, zirconium, niobium, zinc, bismuth, lead, indium, tin, aluminum, silicon, and mixtures thereof for modifying the durability or optical properties of the electrochromic article 10. The first electrode 24 can be deposited on the second surface 16 of the first substrate 12 by conventional chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and / or physical vapor deposition (PVD) methods. Examples of CVD processes include spray pyrolysis. Examples of PVD processes include electron beam deposition and vacuum sputtering (such as magnetron sputtering vapor deposition (MSVD)). Other coating methods may be used, such as the wet precursor method, but are not limited thereto. The first electrode 24 may include one or more layers of the materials described above. Without limiting the present invention, the first electrode 24 may have a thickness in the range of 500 angstroms (Å) to 10,000 Å, for example, in the range of 950 Å to 3,000 Å, or in the range of 950 Å to 2,000 Å.

[0024] Referring again to Figure 1A, the electrochromic article 10 also includes a second electrode 30. The second electrode 30 is positioned on at least a portion of the No. 3 surface 20 of the second substrate 18. The edges of the second substrate 18 may extend further outward than the second electrode 30. As shown in Figure 1A, the first electrode 24 is separated from the second electrode 30. The second electrode 30 may have one or more connections (not shown) that can be made from one or more external circuits (not shown) to allow current to pass through the second electrode 30. Furthermore, the second electrode 30 has a first surface 32 and a second surface 34. The first surface 32 of the second electrode 30 faces the second surface 28 of the first electrode. The second surface 34 of the second electrode 30 is supported on the No. 3 surface 20 of the second substrate 18 and preferably firmly mounted. The second electrode 30 is transparent to visible light when the electrochromic article 10 is in an "off," "uncolored," or "decolorized" state. The second electrode 30 can be an anode or a cathode. The second electrode 30 may include any of the materials described above with respect to the first electrode 24, such as ITO, FTO, AZO, GZO, IZO, doped silver, silver, mixtures thereof, or combinations thereof. The second electrode 30 may also have one or more layers of dielectric material, which may include any of the materials described above with respect to the first electrode 24, such as oxides of titanium, hafnium, zirconium, niobium, zinc, bismuth, lead, indium, tin, aluminum, silicon, and mixtures thereof. The second electrode 30 can be deposited on the first surface 20 of the second substrate 18 by the method described above with respect to the first electrode 24. The second electrode 30 may include one or more layers of the materials described above. The second electrode 30 can be formed from the same material as the first electrode 24, or the second electrode 30 can be formed from a different material than the first electrode 24. Without limiting the present invention, the second electrode 30 can have a thickness in the range of 500 angstroms (Å) to 10,000 Å, for example, in the range of 950 Å to 3,000 Å, or in the range of 950 Å to 2,000 Å.

[0025] The electrochromic article 10 further includes a sealant material 36, as described above. In one non-limiting embodiment, the sealant material 36 is the only sealant material in the electrochromic article 10. The sealant material 36 is positioned between the first electrode 24 and the second electrode 30. The sealant material 36 can be in direct contact with the second surface 28 of the first electrode 24 and the first surface 32 of the second electrode 30. The end of the first electrode 24 may extend further outward than the sealant material 36. Similarly, the end of the second electrode 30 may also extend further outward than the sealant material 36.

[0026] The sealant material 36 can be applied in any shape suitable for the electrochromic article 10. In one non-limiting embodiment, the sealant material 36 is shaped like a frame defining the outer limit or boundary of the electrochromic composition 38, as shown in Figure 1A. In one non-limiting embodiment, the electrochromic composition 38 is applied inside the frame of the sealant material 36. In one non-limiting embodiment, the sealant material 36 overlaps the electrochromic composition 38 in a step orientation, as shown in Figure 1B.

[0027] The sealant material 36 is adjacent to the electrochromic composition 38 and can be related to each other in various configurations. For example, in one non-limiting embodiment, the sealant material 36 is in direct contact with the electrochromic composition 38. In another non-limiting embodiment, there is a gap between the sealant material 36 and the electrochromic composition 38, where a vacuum or inert gas is present. Furthermore, in one non-limiting embodiment, there is no additional material present between the sealant material 36 and the electrochromic composition 38. In one non-limiting embodiment, the sealant material 36 surrounds the electrochromic composition 38. In one non-limiting embodiment, the sealant material 36 overlaps with the electrochromic composition 38. Furthermore, in one non-limiting embodiment, the sealant material 36 is in direct contact with at least a portion of the second surface 28 of the first electrode 24, at least a portion of the electrochromic composition 38, and at least a portion of the first surface 32 of the second electrode 30 simultaneously.

[0028] The sealant material 36 functions as both a mechanical barrier and a permeable barrier. A sealant material 36 suitable for the electrochromic article 10 is a material that has good adhesion to the first and second substrates 12, 18 and / or the first and second electrodes 24, 30, has low permeability to oxygen, water vapor, and other harmful vapors and gases, is chemically inert to the materials used to constitute the electrochromic article 10, and is transparent. The sealant material 36 is intended to contain and protect the electrochromic composition 38. The sealant material 36 shall not react with the electrochromic composition 38 to form an objectionable aesthetic. As used herein, “objectionable aesthetic” means discoloration or undesirable degradation of performance. The sealant material 36 is resistant to degradation by ultraviolet light.

[0029] The sealant material 36 has an oxygen permeability (OTR) of 2 cubic centimeters. Ru / (square meters, 1 day, 1 atmosphere) (i.e., the unit is c) c / m2 (day·atm) For example, 1c c / m 2 ·day·atm below , or 0.5c c / m 2 The material is selected so that it is less than or equal to 1 day·atm. However, a person skilled in the art will understand that a broader sealant material 36 allows for a higher OTR.

[0030] One or more connections (not shown) from an external circuit (not shown) to the first electrode 24 may extend through the sealant material 36. One or more connections (not shown) from an external circuit (not shown) to the second electrode 30 may extend through the sealant material 36.

[0031] One or more connections (not shown) from an external circuit (not shown) to the first electrode 24 do not extend through the sealant material 36. One or more connections (not shown) from an external circuit (not shown) to the second electrode 30 do not extend through the sealant material 36.

[0032] The sealant material 36 is selected to have an appropriate glass transition temperature (Tg) or viscosity so that it does not flow into the visual area of ​​the electrochromic device, flow and mix with the electrochromic composition 38, or flow out over the edge of the glass.

[0033] Sealant materials can be formed from one or more organic polymer materials. As used herein, the term “resin” is interchangeable with “polymer,” and the term “polymer” refers to oligomers and homopolymers, copolymers, and graft polymers. The term “resin” is interchangeable with “polymer.” Homopolymers contain one type of building block, i.e., monomer, while copolymers contain multiple types of monomers. An “oligomer” may be a polymer containing a small number of monomers, such as 3 to 100 monomer residues.

[0034] Polymers can have various structures, for example, in the form of block polymers. A "block polymer" refers to a polymer containing one or more homopolymer subunits covalently bonded or separated by subunits with different chemical properties or low molecular weight coupling groups. A block copolymer refers to a block polymer containing stretches of two or more different homopolymer subunits linked in any topology.

[0035] When a monomer is incorporated into a polymer, the polymer "comprises" or "derived from" that monomer. Therefore, the incorporated monomer that a polymer contains is not the same as the monomer before it was incorporated into the polymer, at least in that certain linking groups are incorporated into the polymer backbone, or certain groups are removed during the polymerization process. If a particular type of bond is present in the polymer, the polymer is said to contain that particular type of bond. The incorporated monomer can be a "residue" of that monomer. A "macromer" or "macromonomer" refers to a monomer subunit for incorporation into a copolymer and can be a large molecule having at least one terminal group that allows it to act as a monomer molecule. It may also be a combination product of two or more smaller monomer residues.

[0036] As used herein, “moiety” can include, as a class, “residues” which are parts of a molecule that remain on a larger molecule, such as a polymer chain, after the compound or monomer has been incorporated into that larger molecule, or it can include “functional groups” which are specific substituents or parts resulting from characteristic chemical reactivity, non-covalent interactions, physical properties, or other chemical or physical properties.

[0037] Organic polymer materials used in sealant materials can include a variety of thermosetting resins known in the art. As used herein, the term “thermosetting” refers to a resin that “cures” irreversibly upon curing or crosslinking, where the polymer chains of the polymer component are covalently bonded together. This property is typically associated with crosslinking reactions of composition components, which are often induced, for example, by heat or radiation (e.g., UV radiation).

[0038] As shown, organic polymer materials may also include thermoplastic resins. As used herein, the term “thermoplastic” refers to a resin that is not covalently bonded and is thereby capable of undergoing liquid flow upon heating.

[0039] Non-limiting examples of suitable organic polymer materials include (meth)acrylate resins, polyurethanes, polyolefins, polyesters, polysiloxanes, copolymers thereof, and combinations thereof. As used herein, “(meth)acrylate” and similar terms refer to both acrylates and the corresponding methacrylates. The term “polyurethane” is for compounds containing multiple urethane bonds having the structure urethane, and is typically formed from the reaction of polyisocyanates and polyols. Polyurethane may also be poly(urea urethane) prepared from the reaction of polyisocyanates with polyols, water, and / or amines, and may contain additional bonds such as urea bonds. “Polyolefin” refers to at least one olefin monomer, e.g., α-unsaturated C2-C 32 This refers to polymers formed from alkenes. As used herein, "siloxane" is a compound having one or more Si-O-Si bonds, such as the following compounds: TIFF0007850713000001.tif4391 In the formula, each example of R is independently an organic group or H, for example a linear or branched C1-C4 alkyl group including methyl, ethyl, propyl, and butyl, or a phenyl C1-C4 alkyl group such as phenylmethyl or phenylethyl, which is optionally substituted with one or more halogen (-F, -Cl, -Br, and / or -I) atoms. n typically varies from 1 to 2,000, and the number-average molecular weight (Mn) varies, for example, from about 1,000 to about 10,000, with increments in between. For polysiloxanes, n is greater than 1, for example, from 10 to 200 or from 10 to 50.

[0040] Polymers forming organic polymer materials may include linear, branched, or cyclic structures. The term "linear" refers to a compound having a linear hydrocarbon chain, the term "branched" refers to a compound having a hydrocarbon chain in which hydrogen is substituted by substituents such as alkyl groups that branch or extend from a linear chain, and the term "cyclic" refers to a closed ring structure. Polymers may also include aliphatic or aromatic cyclic structures. As used herein, "aromatic group" refers to a cyclic conjugated hydrocarbon having significantly greater stability (by delocalization) than the stability of a hypothetical localized structure. Furthermore, the term "aliphatic" refers to a non-aromatic structure containing saturated carbon bonds. Cyclic structures also include crosslinked ring polycycloalkyl groups (or crosslinked ring polycyclic groups) and fused ring polycycloalkyl groups (or fused ring polycyclic groups).

[0041] Furthermore, organic polymer materials may have any of the following functional groups, including but not limited to carboxylic acid groups, amine groups, hydroxyl groups, thiol groups, carbamate groups, amide groups, urea groups, isocyanate groups (including blocked isocyanate groups), and combinations thereof.

[0042] Thermosetting resins typically contain a crosslinking agent, which may be selected from any of the crosslinking agents known in the art, to react with one or more functional groups of the resin. Thus, the sealant material 36 may also contain a crosslinking agent. As used herein, the term "crosslinking agent" refers to a molecule containing two or more functional groups that react with other functional groups and can link two or more monomers or polymers by chemical bonding. Alternatively, or in addition to the above, organic polymer materials may have functional groups that react with themselves. Thus, such resins are self-crosslinkable.

[0043] In one non-limiting embodiment, the sealant material 36 is a (meth)acrylic-polyurethane copolymer. The sealant material 36 containing the (meth)acrylic-polyurethane copolymer can be cured using ultraviolet light.

[0044] In a non-limiting example, the polyester for sealant material 36 is polyethylene terephthalate (PET). In a non-limiting example, PET is biaxially oriented and commercially available as Mylar® M813.

[0045] In one non-limiting embodiment, the sealant material 36 comprises a polysiloxane. A non-limiting example of a suitable polysiloxane is Sylgard® 184. Sylgard® 184 is a silicone elastomer comprising polydimethylsiloxane and organically modified silica (e.g., ORMOSIL). Sylgard® 184 is prepared by combining a main component (Part A) and a curing agent (Part B). The main component comprises a siloxane (dimethylvinyl-terminated dimethylsiloxane) and ORMOSIL (dimethylvinyl and trimethylated silica) in a solvent (ethylbenzene). The curing agent also comprises a mixture of siloxane and ORMOSIL in a solvent, and includes dimethylvinyl-terminated dimethylsiloxane; dimethylvinyl and trimethylated silica; tetramethyltetravinylcyclotetrasiloxane; and ethylbenzene.

[0046] As used herein, the term “elastomer” refers to a polymer material that can repeatedly recover its size and shape at temperatures such as room temperature (e.g., 20°C to 30°C) or physiological temperature (e.g., 35°C to 40°C) after the deformation force has been removed. The elastomer may be a material that can repeatedly be stretched to at least 1.5 times, at least 2 times, or at least 3 times its original length and can repeatedly return to approximately its original length when the stress is released.

[0047] In one non-limiting embodiment, the sealant material 36 is a non-epoxide organic polymer material. As used herein, "non-epoxide" means an organic polymer that does not have epoxide functional groups, or an organic polymer that has a small amount of epoxide functional groups, e.g., less than 1 wt percent (wt%) of epoxide functional groups, e.g., 0.5 wt% of epoxide functional groups, or 0 wt% of epoxide functional groups. In some non-limiting embodiments, the sealant material 36 does not contain epoxide functional groups. In some non-limiting embodiments, the sealant material 36 contains a small amount of epoxide functional groups so that the epoxide functional groups do not contribute to the reactivity with the electrochromic composition 38 and cause undesirable effects (e.g., discoloration such as yellowing).

[0048] The electrochromic article 10 includes an electrochromic composition 38. The electrochromic composition 38 can be any electrochromic composition known in the art, such as an electrochromic solution, an electrochromic gel, an electrochromic semi-solid material, or an electrochromic solid material. The electrochromic composition 38 may be a solution-phase type electrochromic composition or a gel-type electrochromic composition, in which the material contained in solution in an ion-conducting electrolyte remains in solution in the electrolyte when electrochemically reduced or oxidized. Alternatively, the electrochromic composition 38 may be an electrodeposited type electrochromic composition, in which the material contained in solution in an ion-conducting electrolyte forms a layer on an electron-conducting electrode when electrochemically reduced or oxidized.

[0049] In one non-limiting embodiment, the electrochromic composition 38 comprises a first compound and a second compound, each containing at least one anode electrochromic compound and at least one cathode electrochromic compound. The anode electrochromic compound is an oxidizable material. The cathode material is a reducible material. When a potential is applied to the electrochromic composition 38, the anode electrochromic compound is oxidized and the cathode electrochromic compound is simultaneously reduced. When electrochemically activated, the simultaneous oxidation and reduction alters the absorption coefficient at at least one wavelength in the visible spectrum. The combination of the anode electrochromic compound and the cathode electrochromic compound in the electrochromic composition 38 defines the associated colors when a potential is applied between the first electrode 24 and the second electrode 30. Suitable anode electrochromic materials for the electrochromic composition 38 include phenazine dyes. Suitable cathode electrochromic materials for the electrochromic composition 38 include viologen dyes.

[0050] The electrochromic composition 38 may further contain additional additives. These additional additives include solvents, light absorbers, light stabilizers, heat stabilizers, antioxidants, thickeners, viscosity modifiers, dyes, mixtures thereof, and combinations thereof. The dyes incorporated into the electrochromic composition 38 define the color of the electrochromic article 10. It is well known in the art that such dyes become colored and / or their color or hue intensified when a larger voltage is applied to the first electrode 24 and the second electrode 30. In one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, when a voltage is applied to the first electrode 24 and the second electrode 30, the electrochromic composition 38 becomes colored and the percentage of visible light transmitted through the electrochromic composition 38 decreases. When the voltage applied to the first electrode 24 and the second electrode 30 is turned off, the color of the electrochromic medium is decolorized and the percentage of visible light transmitted through the electrochromic composition 38 increases.

[0051] For the purposes of this invention, “transparent to visible light” or “transparent” means, for example, the total amount of visible light transmitted through an object through one electrode assembly, or through one electrode assembly and an electrochromic medium, or through two electrode assemblies and an electrochromic medium between two electrode assemblies, although this is not limited to this invention. The term “visible light” means electromagnetic radiation having wavelengths in the range of 400 to 700 nanometers in the electromagnetic spectrum. The present invention is not limited to the percentage of visible light that penetrates the first substrate 12 and the first electrode 24, or the second substrate 18 and the second electrode 30, or the first substrate 12, the first electrode 24, the sealant material 36, and the electrochromic composition 38, or the second substrate 18, the second electrode 30, the sealant material 36, and the electrochromic composition 38, or the first substrate 12, the first electrode 24, the sealant material 36, the second electrode 30, the second substrate 18, and the electrochromic composition 38 (between the first electrode 24 and the second electrode 30) when the transparent body is in an "off," "uncolored," or "decolorized" state. In one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the visible light transmittance is greater than 0%, for example, greater than 30%, greater than 45%, or greater than 60%. The visible light transmittance can be measured by a CIE standard light source A or other suitable standard.

[0052] The electrochromic article 10 may further include an optional intermediate layer material 40. The intermediate layer material 40 may be in direct contact with at least a portion of the first substrate 12, at least a portion of the first electrode 24, at least a portion of the sealant material 36, at least a portion of the second electrode 30, and at least a portion of the second substrate 18, as shown in Figures 2A and 2B. The intermediate layer material 40 is not in contact with the electrochromic composition 38. Non-limiting examples of suitable intermediate layer materials include polyvinyl butyral (PVB), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), or polyisobutylene (PIB). In one non-limiting embodiment, the intermediate layer material 40 is PVB. One or more connections (not shown) from an external circuit (not shown) to the first electrode 24 may extend through the sealant material 36 and the intermediate layer material 40, if present. One or more connections (not shown) from an external circuit (not shown) to the second electrode 30 may extend through the sealant material 36 and the intermediate layer 40, if present.

[0053] The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing an electrochromic article 10. A first substrate 12 is provided having a first surface 14 and a second surface 16 on the opposite side. A first electrode 24 is placed on at least a portion of the second surface 16 of the first substrate 12. A sealant material 36 is applied so as to be in direct contact with at least a portion of the first electrode 24. An electrochromic composition 38 is applied so as to be in direct contact with at least a portion of the first electrode 24 and at least a portion of the sealant material 36. A second substrate 18 is provided having a third surface 20 and a fourth surface 22 on the opposite side. A second electrode 30 is placed on at least a portion of the third surface 20 of the second substrate 18. The first substrate 12, having the first electrode 24, sealant material 36, and electrochromic composition 38 on it, is brought into contact with the second substrate 18, having the second electrode 30 on it, such that the second electrode 30 is in direct contact with at least a portion of the sealant material 36 and at least a portion of the electrochromic composition 38. Sufficient pressure and heat are applied to form the electrochromic article 10.

[0054] The thickness of the sealant material 36 and the thickness of the electrochromic composition 38 define the thickness between the first electrode 24 and the second electrode 30. The thickness of the sealant material 36 is selected so that the electrochromic composition 38 is in direct contact with both the first electrode 24 and the second electrode 30 at the same time. The sealant material 36 can be made of a compressible material so that its thickness can be reduced. The sealant material 36 can be made of an expandable / expandable material so that its thickness can be increased.

[0055] In some non-limiting embodiments, the sealant material 36 is applied to a thickness equal to the thickness of the electrochromic composition 38.

[0056] In some non-limiting embodiments, the sealant material 36 is applied to a thickness greater than the thickness of the electrochromic composition 38. In some non-limiting embodiments, the sealant material 36 is compressed to obtain a thickness equal to that of the electrochromic composition 38.

[0057] In some non-limiting embodiments, the sealant material 36 is applied to a thickness less than the thickness of the electrochromic composition 38. For example, if the sealant material 36 is applied in a step orientation, as shown in Figure 1B or Figure 2B, the thickness of the sealant material 36 may be less than the thickness of the electrochromic composition 38. In some non-limiting embodiments, if the thickness of the sealant material 36 is less than the thickness of the electrochromic composition 38, the electrochromic article 10 may have a gap between the electrochromic composition 38 and the sealant material 36 due to vacuum or inert gas.

[0058] The sealant material 36 is available as pellets, sheets, or liquid compositions. The sealant material 36 can be applied as a gasket or sheet to at least a portion of the second surface 28 of the first electrode 24, and can be extruded directly onto the first electrode 24 or deposited as a liquid. In one non-limiting embodiment, the sealant material 36 is a gasket that can be formed by molding, extrusion, or 3D printing.

[0059] The sealant material 36 can be deposited as a liquid onto the first electrode 24 and / or electrochromic composition 38 by brushing, flowing through a nozzle, screen printing, and / or other printing techniques. The applied sealant material 36 can then be cured by heating or ultraviolet light to form a crosslinked sealant material 36.

[0060] In one non-limiting embodiment, the sealant material 36 is applied as a sheet or strip. When applied as a sheet or strip, the sealant material 36 overlaps with at least a portion of the electrochromic composition 38. When applied as a sheet or strip, the sealant material 36 may further include a transfer tape or backing tape. The transfer tape or backing tape is removed before contact with the second substrate 18 having the second electrode 30.

[0061] The present invention also relates to an insulated glass unit 42 including an electrochromic article. The present invention relates to a dynamic component that can be used in an insulated glass unit. The insulated glass unit includes a modified first ply, which is a dynamic component. The exemplary insulated glass unit 42 in Figure 3 is a form of a conventional insulated glass unit including an electrochromic article. The insulated glass unit is formed from a first ply 112 and a second ply 118, which are spaced apart. The first ply 112 as used herein in relation to the insulated glass unit is referred to as the modified first ply 112. The modified first ply 112 includes an electrochromic article according to the present invention, as described herein. Any embodiment of the aforementioned electrochromic article can be used as the modified first ply 112 of the present invention. The modified first ply 112 can be used as an inner ply or an outer ply. In one non-limiting embodiment, the modified first ply 112 is an outer ply. The insulated glass unit 42 includes a modified first ply 112 having a first main surface 114 (No. 1 surface) and an opposite second main surface 116 (No. 2 surface). In the illustrated non-limiting embodiment, the first main surface 114 faces the outside of the building, i.e., is the outer main surface, and the second main surface 116 faces the inside of the building. The insulated glass unit 42 also includes a second ply 118 having an inner (first) main surface 120 (No. 3 surface) and an outer (second) main surface 122 (No. 4 surface). The insulated glass unit may further include a third ply having a first main surface (No. 5 surface) and an opposite second main surface (No. 6 surface). This numbering of the ply surfaces is consistent with conventional practice in the art. When there are three or more plies, electrochromic articles can be used to form outer plies, inner plies, additional intermediate plies, or combinations thereof.

[0062] The first and second prisms 112 and 118 can be connected by any suitable method, for example, by adhesive bonding to a conventional spacer frame 124. A gap or chamber 126 is formed between the two prisms 112 and 118. The chamber 126 can be filled with a selected atmosphere such as air, or with a non-reactive gas such as argon or krypton. Examples of insulated glass units can be found, for example, in U.S. Patents 4,193,228, 4,464,874, 5,088,258, and 5,106,663.

[0063] The following numbered clauses illustrate various aspects of the present invention:

[0064] Clause 1: Electrochromic articles, A first substrate having a first surface and a second surface on the opposite side, A second substrate having a third surface separated from the first substrate and a fourth surface on the opposite side, wherein the second surface of the first substrate faces the third surface of the second substrate, A first electrode disposed on at least a portion of the second surface of the first substrate, A second electrode, which is located on at least a portion of the third surface of the second substrate, and the first electrode is separated from the second electrode, A sealant material is placed between the first electrode and the second electrode, The present invention comprises an electrochromic composition disposed in direct contact with at least a portion of the first electrode and at least a portion of the second electrode, The sealant material has an oxygen permeability (OTR) of 2 cubic centimeters. Ru / (square meters, 1 day, 1 atmosphere) (i.e., the unit is c) c / m 2 Electrochromic articles formed from organic polymer materials of the following magnitudes (day·atm).

[0065] Clause 2: An electrochromic article as described in Clause 1, wherein the organic polymer material includes (meth)acrylic, polyurethane, polyester, polyolefin, polysiloxane, copolymers thereof, or combinations thereof.

[0066] Clause 3: An electrochromic article according to Clause 1 or 2, wherein the sealant material is in direct contact with the electrochromic composition.

[0067] Clause 4: An electrochromic article as described in any of the preceding clauses, wherein the sealant material is adjacent to the electrochromic composition.

[0068] Clause 5: An electrochromic article as described in any of the preceding clauses, wherein the sealant material surrounds the electrochromic composition.

[0069] Clause 6: An electrochromic article as described in any of the preceding clauses, in which no additional material exists between the sealant material and the electrochromic composition.

[0070] Clause 7: An electrochromic article as described in any of the preceding clauses, in which the sealant material overlaps with the electrochromic material.

[0071] Clause 8: An electrochromic article as described in any of the preceding clauses, wherein the sealant material is chemically inert to the electrochromic composition.

[0072] Clause 9: An electrochromic article as described in any of the preceding clauses, wherein the sealant material is resistant to degradation by ultraviolet light.

[0073] Clause 10: An electrochromic article as described in any of the preceding clauses, wherein the sealant material is not an epoxide-based organic polymer material.

[0074] Clause 11: The sealant material is an electrochromic article as described in any of the preceding clauses, which does not contain a solvent.

[0075] Clause 12: An electrochromic article as described in any of the preceding clauses, wherein the electrochromic composition comprises an electrochromic solution, an electrochromic gel, an electrochromic semi-solid material, or an electrochromic solid material.

[0076] Clause 13: An electrochromic article as described in any of the preceding clauses, wherein the electrochromic composition comprises at least one anode electrochemical compound and at least one cathode electrochemical compound.

[0077] Clause 14: At least one anode electrochemical compound, Phenazine An electrochromic article containing a dye, as described in Clause 13.

[0078] Clause 15: At least one cathode electrochemical compound, Viologen Articles containing dyes, as described in Clause 13.

[0079] Clause 16: An electrochromic article according to any of Clauses 12 to 15, wherein the electrochromic composition further comprises a solvent, a light absorber, a light stabilizer, a heat stabilizer, an antioxidant, a thickener, a viscosity modifier, a dye, a combination thereof, or a mixture thereof.

[0080] Clause 17: The electrochromic article described in any of the preceding clauses, wherein the first electrode has a first surface and a second surface.

[0081] Clause 18: The electrochromic article according to Clause 17, wherein the first surface of the first electrode is in direct contact with the second surface of the first substrate.

[0082] Clause 19: The electrochromic article according to Clause 17 or 18, wherein the second surface of the first electrode is in direct contact with at least a portion of the sealant material and at least a portion of the electrochromic material.

[0083] Clause 20: The electrochromic article according to Clause 17, wherein the second electrode has a first surface and a second surface.

[0084] Clause 21: The electrochromic article according to Clause 20, wherein the first surface of the second electrode is in direct contact with at least a portion of the sealant material and at least a portion of the electrochromic material.

[0085] Clause 22: The electrochromic article according to Clause 20 or 21, wherein the second surface of the second electrode is in direct contact with the third surface of the second substrate.

[0086] Clause 23: An electrochromic article as described in any of the preceding clauses, further comprising one or more connections from one or more external circuits to the first electrode and the second electrode.

[0087] Clause 24: The electrochromic article according to Clause 23, wherein one or more connections to the first electrode and the second electrode extend through a sealant material.

[0088] Clause 25: An electrochromic article as described in Clause NEW, wherein one or more connections to the first electrode and the second electrode do not extend through the sealant material.

[0089] Clause 26: An electrochromic article as described in any of the preceding clauses, wherein the first and second electrodes include indium-doped tin oxide, fluorine-doped tin oxide, aluminum-doped zinc oxide, gallium-doped zinc oxide, indium-doped zinc oxide, doped silver, silver, titanium oxide, hafnium oxide, zirconium oxide, niobium oxide, zinc oxide, bismuth oxide, lead oxide, indium oxide, tin oxide, aluminum oxide, silicon oxide, mixtures thereof, or combinations thereof.

[0090] Clause 27: The electrochromic article according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the sealant material is in direct contact with at least a portion of the second surface of the first electrode, at least a portion of the electrochromic composition, and at least a portion of the first surface of the second electrode.

[0091] Clause 28: An electrochromic article according to any of the preceding clauses, further comprising an intermediate layer material that is in direct contact with at least a part of the first substrate, at least a part of the first electrode, at least a part of the sealant material, at least a part of the second electrode, and at least a part of the second substrate.

[0092] Clause 29: An electrochromic article according to clause 28, wherein the intermediate layer material comprises polyvinyl butyral (PVB), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), or polyisobutylene (PIB).

[0093] Clause 30: An electrochromic article according to clause 2, wherein the organic polymer material is a (meth)acrylic-polyurethane copolymer.

[0094] Clause 31: An electrochromic article according to clause 2, wherein the polyester is polyethylene terephthalate.

[0095] Clause 32: An electrochromic article according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the oxygen transmission rate is 1 c c / m 2 ·day·atm or less.

[0096] Clause 33: An electrochromic article according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the oxygen transmission rate is 0.5 c c / m 2 ·day·atm or less.

[0097] Clause 34: An electrochromic article according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein there is a gap between the sealant material and the electrochromic composition by vacuum or an inert gas.

[0098] Clause 35: An electrochromic article, a first substrate having a first surface and a second surface on the opposite side, A second substrate having a third surface separated from the first substrate and a fourth surface on the opposite side, wherein the second surface of the first substrate faces the third surface of the second substrate, A first electrode disposed on at least a portion of the second surface of the first substrate, A second electrode, which is located on at least a portion of the third surface of the second substrate, and the first electrode is separated from the second electrode, A sealant material is placed between the first electrode and the second electrode, The present invention comprises an electrochromic composition disposed in direct contact with at least a portion of the first electrode and at least a portion of the second electrode, The sealant material has an oxygen permeability (OTR) of 2 cubic centimeters. Ru / (square meters, 1 day, 1 atmosphere) (i.e., the unit is c) c / m 2 Formed from organic polymer materials below the following limits (day·atm): The organic polymer material is an electrochromic article comprising (meth)acrylic, polyurethane, polyester, polyolefin, polysiloxane, copolymers thereof, or combinations thereof.

[0099] Article 36: A method for preparing an electrochromic article A step of providing a first substrate having a first surface and a second surface on the opposite side, A step of placing a first electrode on at least a portion of the second surface of a first substrate, A step of applying a sealant material in direct contact with at least a portion of the first electrode, A step of applying an electrochromic composition in direct contact with at least a portion of the first electrode and in direct contact with at least a portion of the sealant material, A step of providing a second substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface on the opposite side, A step of placing a second electrode on at least a portion of the third surface of a second substrate, The second electrode is at least a portion of the sealant material and electrochromic composition A step of bringing a first substrate having a first electrode, a sealant material, and an electrochromic composition into direct contact with a second substrate having a second electrode, such that at least a portion of it is in direct contact with the second electrode, A step of providing a vacuum to evacuate the system or replace oxygen or moisture with an inert gas, The process includes heating to form an electrochromic article, The sealant material has an oxygen permeability (OTR) of 2 cubic centimeters. Ru / (square meters, 1 day, 1 atmosphere) (i.e., the unit is c) c / m 2 Formed from organic polymer materials below the following (day·atm): A method for preparing electrochromic articles.

[0100] Clause 37: The method according to Clause 36, wherein the sealant material in direct contact with the first electrode is applied in the shape of a frame.

[0101] Clause 38: The method according to Clause 37, wherein the electrochromic composition is applied to the inside of the frame of the sealant material.

[0102] Clause 39: The method according to Clauses 36-38, wherein the sealant material has a thickness equal to the thickness of the electrochromic composition.

[0103] Clause 40: The sealant material is compressible, as described in Clauses 36-39.

[0104] Clause 41: The method according to Clauses 36-40, wherein the thickness of the sealant material and the thickness of the electrochromic composition define the thickness between the first electrode and the second electrode.

[0105] Clause 42: The method according to Clauses 36-41, wherein the organic polymer material comprises (meth)acrylic, polyurethane, polyester, polyolefin, polysiloxane, copolymers thereof, or combinations thereof.

[0106] Clause 43: The method according to Clause 42, wherein the sealant material is in the form of pellets, sheets, or liquid.

[0107] Clause 44: The method according to Clauses 36-43, wherein the sealant material is applied to at least a portion of the first electrode as a gasket or sheet, extruded directly onto the first electrode, or deposited as a liquid.

[0108] Clause 45: The method according to Clause 44, wherein the gasket is formed by molding, extrusion, or 3D printing.

[0109] Clause 46: The method according to Clause 43 or 44, wherein the sealant material deposited as a liquid is cured by heating or ultraviolet light.

[0110] Clause 47: The method according to any one of Clauses 36 to 46, wherein the sealant material is adjacent to the electrochromic composition.

[0111] Clause 48: The method according to any of Clauses 36 to 47, wherein there is no additional material present between the sealant material and the electrochromic composition.

[0112] Clause 49: The method described in any of Clauses 36 to 48, wherein the sealant material overlaps with the electrochromic material.

[0113] Clause 50: The method according to Clause 49, wherein the sealant material in direct contact with the first electrode is in the shape of a step.

[0114] Clause 51: The method according to any one of Clauses 36 to 50, wherein the sealant material is chemically inert to the electrochromic composition.

[0115] Clause 52: The sealant material is resistant to degradation by ultraviolet light, as described in any of Clauses 36 to 51.

[0116] Clause 53: The method according to any of Clauses 36 to 52, wherein the sealant material is not an epoxide-based organic polymer material.

[0117] Clause 54: The sealant material is solvent-free, as described in any of Clauses 36 to 53.

[0118] Clause 55: The method according to any one of Clauses 36 to 54, wherein the electrochromic composition comprises an electrochromic solution, an electrochromic gel, an electrochromic semi-solid material, or an electrochromic solid material.

[0119] Clause 56: The method according to any one of Clauses 36 to 55, wherein the electrochromic composition comprises at least one anode electrochemical compound and at least one cathode electrochemical compound.

[0120] Clause 57: At least one anode electrochemical compound, Phenazine The method according to Clause 56, including a pigment.

[0121] Clause 58: At least one cathode electrochemical compound, Viologen The method according to Clause 56, including a pigment.

[0122] Clause 59: The method according to any one of Clauses 36 to 58, wherein the electrochromic composition further comprises a solvent, a light absorber, a light stabilizer, a heat stabilizer, an antioxidant, a thickener, a viscosity modifier, a dye, a combination thereof, or a mixture thereof.

[0123] Clause 60: The method according to any one of Clauses 36 to 59, wherein the first electrode has a first surface and a second surface.

[0124] Clause 61: The method according to Clause 60, wherein the first surface of the first electrode is in direct contact with the second surface of the first substrate.

[0125] Clause 62: The method according to Clause 60, wherein the second surface of the first electrode is in direct contact with at least a portion of the sealant material and at least a portion of the electrochromic material.

[0126] Clause 63: The method according to Clause 60, wherein the second electrode has a first surface and a second surface.

[0127] Clause 64: The method according to Clause 63, wherein the first surface of the second electrode is in direct contact with at least a portion of the sealant material and at least a portion of the electrochromic material.

[0128] Clause 65: The method according to Clause 63 or 64, wherein the second surface of the second electrode is in direct contact with the third surface of the second substrate.

[0129] Clause 66: The method according to any one of Clauses 36 to 65, further comprising one or more connections from one or more external circuits to the first electrode and the second electrode.

[0130] Clause 67: The method according to Clause 66, wherein one or more connections to the first electrode and the second electrode extend through a sealant material.

[0131] Clause 68: The method according to Clause 66, wherein one or more connections to the first electrode and the second electrode do not extend through the sealant material.

[0132] Clause 69: The method according to any one of Clauses 36 to 68, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode include indium-doped tin oxide, fluorine-doped tin oxide, aluminum-doped zinc oxide, gallium-doped zinc oxide, indium-doped zinc oxide, doped silver, silver, titanium oxide, hafnium oxide, zirconium oxide, niobium oxide, zinc oxide, bismuth oxide, lead oxide, indium oxide, tin oxide, aluminum oxide, silicon oxide, mixtures thereof, or combinations thereof.

[0133] Clause 70: The method according to any one of Clauses 36 to 69, wherein the sealant material is in direct contact with at least a portion of the second surface of the first electrode, at least a portion of the electrochromic composition, and at least a portion of the first surface of the second electrode.

[0134] Clause 71: The method according to any one of Clauses 36 to 70, further comprising at least a portion of the first substrate, at least a portion of the first electrode, at least a portion of the sealant material, at least a portion of the second electrode, and an intermediate layer material in direct contact with at least a portion of the second substrate.

[0135] Clause 72: The method according to Clause 71, wherein the intermediate layer material comprises polyvinyl butyral (PVB), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), or polyisobutylene (PIB).

[0136] Clause 73: The method according to Clause 42, wherein the organic polymer is a (meth)acrylic-polyurethane copolymer.

[0137] Clause 74: The method according to Clause 42, wherein the polyester is polyethylene terephthalate.

[0138] Clause 75: Oxygen permeability is 1c c / m 2 The method described in clauses 36-74, which is the day ATM or less.

[0139] Clause 76: Oxygen permeability is 0.5c c / m 2 The method described in clauses 36-74, which is the day ATM or less.

[0140] Article 77: A method for preparing an electrochromic article, A step of providing a first substrate having a first surface and a second surface on the opposite side, A step of placing a first electrode on at least a portion of the second surface of a first substrate, A step of applying a sealant material in direct contact with at least a portion of the first electrode, A step of applying an electrochromic composition in direct contact with at least a portion of the first electrode and in direct contact with at least a portion of the sealant material, A step of providing a second substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface on the opposite side, A step of placing a second electrode on at least a portion of the third surface of a second substrate, The second electrode is at least a portion of the sealant material and electrochromic composition A step of bringing a first substrate having a first electrode, a sealant material, and an electrochromic composition into direct contact with a second substrate having a second electrode, such that at least a portion of it is in direct contact with the second electrode, A step of providing a vacuum to evacuate the system or replace oxygen or moisture with an inert gas, The process includes heating to form an electrochromic article, The sealant material has an oxygen permeability (OTR) of 2 cubic centimeters. Ru / (square meters, 1 day, 1 atmosphere) (i.e., the unit is c) c / m 2 Formed from organic polymer materials below the following limits (day·atm): Organic polymer materials include (meth)acrylics, polyurethanes, polyesters, polyolefins, polysiloxanes, copolymers thereof, or combinations thereof. A method for preparing electrochromic articles.

[0141] Article 78: Insulated glass unit, A modified first ply formed from an electrochromic article including a first substrate having a first surface and a second surface on the opposite side, A second substrate having a third surface separated from the first substrate and a fourth surface on the opposite side, wherein the second surface of the first substrate faces the third surface of the second substrate, A first electrode disposed on at least a portion of the second surface of the first substrate, A second electrode, which is located on at least a portion of the third surface of the second substrate, and the first electrode is separated from the second electrode, A sealant material is placed between the first electrode and the second electrode, An electrochromic composition disposed in direct contact with at least a portion of the first electrode and at least a portion of the second electrode, A second ply having a No.3 surface and a No.4 surface, The sealant material has an oxygen permeability (OTR) of 2 cubic centimeters. Ru / (square meters, 1 day, 1 atmosphere) (i.e., the unit is c) c / m 2 Formed from organic polymer materials below the following limits (day·atm): An insulated glass unit in which the second ply is separated from the modified first ply, and the modified first ply and the second ply are connected together.

[0142] Clause 79: The insulating glass unit according to Clause 78, wherein the organic polymer material comprises (meth)acrylic, polyurethane, polyester, polyolefin, polysiloxane, copolymers thereof, or combinations thereof.

[0143] Clause 80: The insulating glass unit according to Clause 78 or 79, wherein the sealant material is in direct contact with the electrochromic composition.

[0144] Clause 81: An insulating glass unit according to any of Clauses 78 to 80, wherein the sealant material is adjacent to the electrochromic composition.

[0145] Clause 82: A heat insulating glass unit according to any of Clauses 78 to 81, wherein the sealant material surrounds the electrochromic composition.

[0146] Clause 83: An insulating glass unit according to any of Clauses 78 to 82, wherein there is no additional material present between the sealant material and the electrochromic composition.

[0147] Clause 84: An insulating glass unit as described in any of Clauses 78-83, in which the sealant material overlaps with the electrochromic material.

[0148] Clause 85: An insulating glass unit according to any of Clauses 78 to 84, wherein the sealant material is chemically inert to the electrochromic composition.

[0149] Clause 86: An insulating glass unit as described in any of Clauses 78-85, wherein the sealant material is resistant to degradation by ultraviolet light.

[0150] Clause 87: An insulating glass unit as described in any of Clauses 78 to 86, wherein the sealant material is not an epoxide-based organic polymer material.

[0151] Clause 88: The sealant material is solvent-free and is used in the insulating glass unit as described in any of Clauses 78 to 87.

[0152] Clause 89: An insulating glass unit according to any one of Clauses 78 to 88, wherein the electrochromic composition comprises an electrochromic solution, an electrochromic gel, an electrochromic semi-solid material, or an electrochromic solid material.

[0153] Clause 90: The insulating glass unit according to any one of Clauses 78 to 89, wherein the electrochromic composition comprises at least one anode electrochemical compound and at least one cathode electrochemical compound.

[0154] Clause 91: At least one anode electrochemical compound, Phenazine An insulating glass unit as described in Clause 90, containing a pigment.

[0155] Clause 92: At least one cathode electrochemical compound, Viologen An insulating glass unit as described in Clause 90, containing a pigment.

[0156] Clause 93: An insulating glass unit according to any of Clauses 78 to 92, wherein the electrochromic composition further comprises a solvent, a light absorber, a light stabilizer, a heat stabilizer, an antioxidant, a thickener, a viscosity modifier, a dye, a combination thereof, or a mixture thereof.

[0157] Clause 94: The thermal insulation glass unit according to any of Clauses 78 to 93, wherein the first electrode has a first surface and a second surface.

[0158] Clause 95: The heat insulating glass unit according to Clause 94, wherein the first surface of the first electrode is in direct contact with the second surface of the first substrate.

[0159] Clause 96: The insulating glass unit according to Clause 94 or 95, wherein the second surface of the first electrode is in direct contact with at least a portion of the sealant material and at least a portion of the electrochromic material.

[0160] Clause 97: The insulating glass unit according to any of Clauses 78 to 93, wherein the second electrode has a first surface and a second surface.

[0161] Clause 98: The insulating glass unit according to Clause 97, wherein the first surface of the second electrode is in direct contact with at least a portion of the sealant material and at least a portion of the electrochromic material.

[0162] Clause 99: The heat insulating glass unit according to Clause 97 or 98, wherein the second surface of the second electrode is in direct contact with the third surface of the second substrate.

[0163] Clause 100: The insulated glass unit according to any of Clauses 78 to 99, further comprising one or more connections from one or more external circuits to the first electrode and the second electrode.

[0164] Clause 101: The thermal insulation glass unit according to Clause 100, wherein one or more connections to the first electrode and the second electrode extend through a sealant material.

[0165] Clause 102: The insulating glass unit according to Clause 100, wherein one or more connections to the first electrode and the second electrode do not extend through the sealant material.

[0166] Clause 103: An insulating glass unit according to any of Clauses 78 to 102, wherein the first and second electrodes include indium-doped tin oxide, fluorine-doped tin oxide, aluminum-doped zinc oxide, gallium-doped zinc oxide, indium-doped zinc oxide, doped silver, silver, titanium oxide, hafnium oxide, zirconium oxide, niobium oxide, zinc oxide, bismuth oxide, lead oxide, indium oxide, tin oxide, aluminum oxide, silicon oxide, mixtures thereof, or combinations thereof.

[0167] Clause 104: The thermal insulation glass unit according to any of Clauses 78 to 103, wherein the sealant material is in direct contact with at least a portion of the second surface of the first electrode, at least a portion of the electrochromic composition, and at least a portion of the first surface of the second electrode.

[0168] Clause 105: The thermal insulation glass unit according to any of Clauses 78 to 104, further comprising at least a portion of a first substrate, at least a portion of a first electrode, at least a portion of a sealant material, at least a portion of a second electrode, and an intermediate layer material in direct contact with at least a portion of the second substrate.

[0169] Clause 106: The insulated glass unit according to Clause 105, wherein the interlayer material comprises polyvinyl butyral (PVB), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), or polyisobutylene (PIB).

[0170] Clause 107: The insulating glass unit according to Clause 79, wherein the organic polymer material is a (meth)acrylic-polyurethane copolymer.

[0171] Clause 108: The insulating glass unit described in Clause 79, wherein the polyester is polyethylene terephthalate.

[0172] Clause 109: Oxygen permeability is 1c c / m 2 An insulated glass unit as described in any of clauses 78-108, which is less than or equal to day·atm.

[0173] Clause 110: Oxygen permeability is 0.5c c / m 2 An insulated glass unit as described in any of clauses 78-108, which is less than or equal to day·atm.

[0174] Clause 111: An insulating glass unit according to any of Clauses 78 to 110, wherein there is a gap between the sealant material and the electrochromic composition, provided by vacuum or inert gas.

[0175] Clause 112: Insulated glass unit, A modified first ply formed from an article including a first substrate having a first surface and a second surface on the opposite side, A second substrate having a third surface separated from the first substrate and a fourth surface on the opposite side, wherein the second surface of the first substrate faces the third surface of the second substrate, A first electrode disposed on at least a portion of the second surface of the first substrate, A second electrode, which is located on at least a portion of the third surface of the second substrate, and the first electrode is separated from the second electrode, A sealant material is placed between the first electrode and the second electrode, An electrochromic composition disposed in direct contact with at least a portion of the first electrode and at least a portion of the second electrode, A second ply having a No.3 surface and a No.4 surface, The sealant material has an oxygen permeability (OTR) of 2 cubic centimeters. Ru / (square meters, 1 day, 1 atmosphere) (i.e., the unit is c) c / m 2 Formed from organic polymer materials below the following limits (day·atm): Organic polymer materials include (meth)acrylics, polyurethanes, polyesters, polyolefins, polysiloxanes, copolymers thereof, or combinations thereof. An insulated glass unit in which the second ply is separated from the modified first ply, and the modified first ply and the second ply are connected together.

[0176] Those skilled in the art will readily understand that modifications to the present invention can be made without departing from the concepts disclosed in the foregoing description. Accordingly, the specific embodiments described in detail herein are merely illustrative and do not limit the scope of the invention, which extends to the entire scope of the appended claims and all equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. Electrochromic articles, A first substrate having a first surface and a second surface on the opposite side, A second substrate having a third surface separated from the first substrate and a fourth surface on the opposite side, wherein the second surface of the first substrate faces the third surface of the second substrate, A first electrode disposed on at least a portion of the second surface of the first substrate, A second electrode, which is located on at least a portion of the third surface of the second substrate, and the first electrode is separated from the second electrode, A sealant material is placed between the first electrode and the second electrode, The present invention comprises an electrochromic composition disposed in direct contact with at least a portion of the first electrode and at least a portion of the second electrode, The sealant material has an oxygen permeability (OTR) of 2 cubic centimeters / (square meter / day / atm) (i.e., the unit is cc / m³). ２ Formed from organic polymer materials with a minimum of (day / atm), The electrochromic article further comprises at least a portion of the first substrate, at least a portion of the first electrode, at least a portion of the sealant material, at least a portion of the second electrode, and an intermediate layer material that is in direct contact with at least a portion of the second substrate. The intermediate layer material includes polyvinyl butyral (PVB), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), or polyisobutylene (PIB). The sealant material covers the sides of the electrochromic composition in a stepped manner, and furthermore, a portion of the sealant material is interposed between a portion of the second surface of the first electrode and a portion of the electrochromic composition, and a portion of the sealant material spreads over a portion of the first surface of the second electrode. Electrochromic articles.

2. The electrochromic article according to claim 1, wherein the organic polymer material comprises (meth)acrylic, polyurethane, polyester, polyolefin, polysiloxane, copolymers thereof, or combinations thereof.

3. The electrochromic article according to claim 1, wherein the sealant material is in direct contact with the electrochromic composition.

4. The sealant material is not an epoxide-based organic polymer material, The sealant material does not contain a solvent. The electrochromic article according to claim 1.

5. The electrochromic composition comprises an electrochromic solution, an electrochromic gel, an electrochromic semi-solid material, or an electrochromic solid material. The electrochromic composition comprises at least one anode electrochemical compound and at least one cathode electrochemical compound. At least one anode electrochemical compound contains a phenazine dye, At least one cathode electrochemical compound contains a viologen dye. The electrochromic article according to claim 1.

6. The first electrode includes a first surface and a second surface, The first surface of the first electrode is in direct contact with the second surface of the first substrate. The second surface of the first electrode is in direct contact with at least a portion of the sealant material and at least a portion of the electrochromic composition. The electrochromic article according to claim 1.

7. The second electrode includes the first surface and the second surface, The first surface of the second electrode is in direct contact with at least a portion of the sealant material and at least a portion of the electrochromic composition. The second surface of the second electrode is in direct contact with the third surface of the second substrate. The electrochromic article according to claim 1.

8. The electrochromic article according to claim 1, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode include indium-doped tin oxide, fluorine-doped tin oxide, aluminum-doped zinc oxide, gallium-doped zinc oxide, indium-doped zinc oxide, doped silver, silver, titanium oxide, hafnium oxide, zirconium oxide, niobium oxide, zinc oxide, bismuth oxide, lead oxide, indium oxide, tin oxide, aluminum oxide, silicon oxide, mixtures thereof, or combinations thereof.

9. The electrochromic article according to claim 1, wherein the sealant material is in direct contact with at least a portion of the second surface of the first electrode, at least a portion of the electrochromic composition, and at least a portion of the first surface of the second electrode.

10. A method for preparing an electrochromic article, A step of providing a first substrate having a first surface and a second surface on the opposite side, A step of placing a first electrode on at least a portion of the second surface of a first substrate, A step of applying a sealant material in direct contact with at least a portion of the first electrode, A step of applying an electrochromic composition in direct contact with at least a portion of the first electrode and in direct contact with at least a portion of the sealant material, A step of providing a second substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface on the opposite side, A step of placing a second electrode on at least a portion of the third surface of a second substrate, A step of bringing a first substrate having the first electrode, sealant material, and electrochromic composition into contact with a second substrate having the second electrode, such that the second electrode is in direct contact with at least a portion of the sealant material and at least a portion of the electrochromic composition. A process of providing a vacuum to evacuate oxygen or moisture, or replacing oxygen or moisture with an inert gas, A process of heating to form an electrochromic article, Includes, The sealant material has an oxygen permeability (OTR) of 2 cubic centimeters / (square meter / day / atm) (i.e., the unit is cc / m³). ２ Formed from organic polymer materials with a minimum of (day / atm), The method further includes the step of providing at least a portion of the first substrate, at least a portion of the first electrode, at least a portion of the sealant material, at least a portion of the second electrode, and an intermediate layer material that is in direct contact with at least a portion of the second substrate. The intermediate layer material includes polyvinyl butyral (PVB), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), or polyisobutylene (PIB). The sealant material covers the sides of the electrochromic composition in a stepped manner, and furthermore, a portion of the sealant material is interposed between a portion of the second surface of the first electrode and a portion of the electrochromic composition, and a portion of the sealant material spreads over a portion of the first surface of the second electrode. A method for preparing electrochromic articles.

11. A sealant material that is in direct contact with the first electrode is applied in the shape of a frame. The electrochromic composition is applied to the inside of the frame of the sealant material. The sealant material has a thickness equal to the thickness of the electrochromic composition. The method according to claim 10.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the thickness of the electrochromic composition defines the thickness between the first electrode and the second electrode.

13. It is an insulated glass unit, A modified first ply formed from the electrochromic article described in claim 1, A second ply having a No. 3 surface and a No. 4 surface, Equipped with, An insulated glass unit in which the second ply is spaced apart from the modified first ply, and the modified first and second plies are connected together by a spacer frame.

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