Crosslinked Gel Electrolyte for Flexible Electrochromic Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrochromic and photochromic devices face challenges with liquid electrolytes due to low mechanical resistance and ionic conductivity, while solid electrolytes have limited flexibility and high risk of colorless areas, and current gel electrolytes often use toxic crosslinking agents or require high temperatures for preparation.
Innovation Solution
A non-aqueous gel medium comprising a crosslinked polymer derived from a polyfunctional polymer with carboxyl moieties and a non-toxic crosslinking agent, such as polycarbodiimide or polyaziridine, providing mechanical strength and high ionic conductivity, suitable for use in electrochromic and photochromic devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If liquid electrolytes are used in electrochromic devices, then ionic conductivity is improved, but mechanical resistance to deformation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite gel electrolyte system combining a polymeric matrix (polymerizable compound) with ionic liquid components. This composite structure provides both the ionic conductivity of liquid electrolytes and the mechanical strength of solid polymers, resolving the contradiction between ionic conductivity and mechanical resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the electrolyte from purely liquid to a gel state through polymerization. This parameter change allows the electrolyte to exhibit both liquid-like ionic conductivity and solid-like mechanical properties, simultaneously improving both characteristics.
2Strength
If solid electrolytes are used in electrochromic devices, then mechanical resistance is improved, but flexibility and ionic conductivity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The gel electrolyte composite combines the mechanical strength of solid polymers with the flexibility and ionic conductivity of ionic liquids, resolving the contradiction between mechanical resistance and flexibility while maintaining both properties.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the electrolyte from solid to gel state through controlled polymerization, the patent achieves optimal balance between mechanical strength and flexibility, allowing the device to be both structurally sound and adaptable to deformation.
3Strength
If gel electrolytes are prepared using conventional crosslinking agents, then mechanical properties are improved, but toxicity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a polymerizable compound that forms a gel structure without requiring persistent toxic crosslinking agents. The gel forms through polymerization of benign monomers, eliminating the need for harmful crosslinkers while maintaining mechanical properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates toxic crosslinking agents from the gel electrolyte preparation process. Instead of using separate toxic crosslinkers, the system uses inherently polymerizable compounds that form the gel structure through their own polymerization, removing the harmful component entirely.
4Strength
If gel electrolytes are prepared using conventional methods, then mechanical strength is improved, but preparation temperature and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces thermal crosslinking mechanisms with photo-initiated or catalytic polymerization. This substitution allows gel formation at lower temperatures and shorter times, reducing preparation time while maintaining mechanical strength through the polymer network structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the activation method from thermal to photochemical or catalytic initiation, enabling gel electrolyte formation at lower temperatures and shorter durations. This parameter change in the polymerization activation mechanism significantly reduces preparation time while achieving equivalent or superior mechanical properties.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The gel medium offers improved mechanical properties, flexibility, and ionic conductivity, reducing the risk of defects and enabling rapid assembly and high-quality device production at low temperatures, while being free from toxic components.
Implementation Method 1
a crosslinked polymer resulting from the reaction of a polyfunctional polymer containing at least two carboxyl moieties capable of undergoing crosslinking reactions and a crosslinking agent chosen from a polycarbodiimide or a non-toxic polyaziridine
Implementation Method 2
providing mechanical strength and high ionic conductivity
Data Source
AI summary
A gel medium containing at least one non-aqueous solvent and a crosslinked polymer resulting from the reaction of a polyfunctional polymer containing at least two carboxyl moieties capable of undergoing crosslinking reactions, the polyfunctional polymer having a molecular weight from 2,000 g/mol to 3,000,000 g/mol, and a crosslinking agent chosen from a polycarbodiimide or a polyaziridine.