Electrochromic Device Hydrogenated Iridium Reflective Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrochromic devices face issues with iridium decomposition due to UV light and moisture sensitivity, and short circuits when in contact with tungsten, requiring complex processes for forming porous reflective layers to manage water molecules.
Innovation Solution
The use of co-deposited hydrogenated iridium and tantalum atoms in an electrochromic device with a non-porous reflective layer, eliminating the need for complex processes and enhancing durability by directly injecting hydrogen ions during the process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a porous reflective layer is formed to manage water molecules, then water management capability is improved, but the manufacturing process becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a porous reflective layer containing hydrophilic pores that can absorb and manage water molecules. The porous structure is intentionally designed to control water distribution and prevent short circuits while maintaining device reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a hydrophilic polymer material as an intermediary substance within the reflective layer. This polymer acts as a mediator to manage water molecules, absorbing excess water and preventing direct contact between water and electrical components, thereby simplifying the overall manufacturing process while maintaining reliability.
2Device complexity
If iridium is used alone in the electrochromic device, then the device structure is simple, but iridium decomposes due to UV light and moisture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite material consisting of iridium particles dispersed in a hydrophilic polymer matrix. This composite structure combines the electrochromic properties of iridium with the protective and water-management capabilities of the polymer, preventing iridium decomposition while maintaining device functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydrophilic polymer matrix creates a protective environment around the iridium particles, effectively isolating them from UV light and moisture. This protective environment prevents chemical decomposition of iridium while allowing the device structure to remain relatively simple.
3Ease of manufacture
If iridium is in direct contact with tungsten, then the device manufacturing is simplified, but short circuits occur
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrophilic polymer material serves as an intermediary layer between the iridium and tungsten components. This polymer layer provides electrical isolation, preventing short circuits, while still allowing the manufacturing process to remain simplified through a single-integration approach.
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
This solution prevents iridium decomposition and short circuits, allows for a simple process to form a non-porous reflective layer, and improves the electrochromic device's ability to selectively transmit light, addressing the limitations of previous technologies.
Implementation Method 1
Electrochromism is a phenomenon in which, when a voltage is applied, a color is reversibly changed due to a direction of an electric field, and a material having an optical property reversibly changeable due to an electrochemical oxidation-reduction reaction with the above-described property is called an electrochromic material.
Implementation Method 2
as a co-deposited hydrogenated compound is used, an electrochromic device capable of forming a non-porous reflective layer through a simple process without forming a porous reflective layer through a complex process for injecting ions needed to electrically discolor by moving water molecules is provided
Data Source
AI summary
An electrochromic device according to an embodiment includes a first transparent conductive layer, an ion storage layer, an electrolyte layer, an electrochromic layer, and a second transparent conductive layer. The electrolyte layer includes a tantalum atom. The electrochromic layer includes a tungsten atom. The ion storage layer includes an iridium atom and a tantalum atom. The ion storage layer is hydrogenated in bleached state and the electrochromic device has a transmittance of 64.1% or more in bleached state. A difference between the transmittance of the electrochromic device in bleached state and the transmittance of the electrochromic device in colored state is 8.4% or more.