Electrochromic Element Low-Voltage Color Development
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrochromic elements require high voltages to switch between colored and transparent states, limiting their efficiency in applications like display devices, where low-voltage operation is desirable.
Innovation Solution
An electrochromic element design featuring a first layer with an oxidizable color-developing electrochromic compound and a second layer with a compound having a phenol structure, allowing for low-voltage operation by minimizing absorption in the visible range and enabling color development only during reduction reactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional electrochromic materials (viologen or triarylamine compounds) are used, then color development occurs during redox reactions, but high voltage is required to switch between colored and transparent states
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the electrochromic materials by selecting specific compounds with appropriate redox potentials. The oxidizable compound in the first layer and the reducible compound in the second layer are chosen to operate at lower voltages while maintaining effective color development, thus resolving the contradiction between low voltage operation and reliable color development.
2Illumination intensity
If oxidizable color-developing electrochromic compounds are used in the first layer, then color development occurs during oxidation, but absorption in the visible range may occur in the neutral state
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using different electrochromic materials with complementary properties in different layers. The first layer contains an oxidizable compound that develops color upon oxidation, while the second layer contains a reducible compound that develops color upon reduction. This layered approach ensures that each layer contributes to color development only when needed, minimizing unwanted absorption in the neutral state and maintaining transparency.
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 electrochromic element can express pure colors at low voltages, maintaining transparency and stability, suitable for large-size displays and other applications requiring low-voltage driving.
Implementation Method 1
Electrochromism is the phenomenon displayed by some materials of reversibly changing color as a redox reaction reversibly occurs in the materials in response to a voltage
Implementation Method 2
as a redox reaction reversibly occurs in the materials in response to a voltage
Implementation Method 3
triarylamine compounds are known as oxidizable color-developing electrochromic materials that exhibit transparency when in a neutral state and develop color when in a reduced state
Data Source
AI summary
An electrochromic element is provided. The electrochromic element includes a first electrode, a second electrode, an electrolyte disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, a first layer overlying the first electrode, and a second layer overlying the second electrode. The first layer contains an oxidizable color-developing electrochromic compound. The second layer contains a compound having the following formula (1):wherein each of R1 to R5 independently represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, or a monovalent organic group, and at least one of R1 to R5 includes a functional group directly or indirectly bindable to a hydroxyl group (OH).