Electrochromic Device Ion Storage Layer MoTiOxNy
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrochromic devices face challenges in mass production due to high costs and slow deposition speeds of WO3 thin films, and the need for thick films decreases discoloration rates, while existing materials lack durability and high charge density.
Innovation Solution
An electrochromic device with an ion storage layer of MoaTi bOxNy, where a, b, x, and y are real numbers between 0.5 and 60, and a polymer electrolyte layer, enhancing charge density and durability, and using a method that includes forming electrodes and layers on a substrate with specific materials and processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a thick WO3 thin film is used to increase the degree of coloring, then the discoloration rate increases, but the migration distance of cations increases causing slower response time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a porous structure in the ion storage layer and electrochromic layer to increase the surface area and provide multiple pathways for cation migration. This porous architecture allows for greater coloring depth without proportionally increasing the linear thickness, thereby maintaining faster response times while achieving higher discoloration rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite structure consisting of multiple layers including WO3 electrochromic layer, LiNiOx ion storage layer, and polymer electrolyte. This composite material system optimizes the balance between ion storage capacity, ion transport speed, and coloring efficiency, resolving the contradiction between thick film requirements for discoloration and thin film requirements for fast response.
2Manufacturing precision
If the sputtering method is used to form WO3 thin film, then the film quality is good, but the process apparatus cost is high and deposition speed is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the deposition parameters by using alternative methods such as chemical vapor deposition (CVD) or atomic layer deposition (ALD) with optimized temperature, pressure, and precursor conditions. These parameter changes enable achieving comparable or superior film quality to sputtering while dramatically increasing deposition speed and reducing equipment cost for mass production.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical sputtering process with chemical deposition methods. Instead of using physical sputtering with high-energy ion bombardment, the patent employs chemical reactions in vapor phase or solution phase to deposit high-quality WO3 films, thereby eliminating the need for expensive sputtering apparatus and achieving faster deposition rates suitable for mass production.
3Device complexity
If existing ion storage materials are used, then the device structure is simple, but the electrochemical durability and charge density are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite ion storage materials such as LiNiOx or MoO3-TiO2 composites that combine multiple functional properties. These composite materials provide both high charge density and excellent electrochemical durability while maintaining a relatively simple layered device structure, as the composite nature is achieved at the material level rather than requiring complex device architecture.
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 device exhibits high charge density, excellent electrochemical durability, reduced costs, and faster switching times, enabling large-area applications with improved transmittance changes under high voltage conditions.
Implementation Method 1
Electrochromism refers to properties that colors of a material change reversibly while electron density changes with intercalation or deintercalation of cations in an electrode structure by an electrochemical oxidation/reduction reaction occurring from changes in the applied voltage.
Implementation Method 2
Transition metal oxides such as WO3, V2O5, TiO2 and NiO exhibit hybrid conduction properties capable of ion and electron conduction.
Implementation Method 3
colors of a material change reversibly while electron density changes with intercalation or deintercalation of cations in an electrode structure
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an electrochromic device including a substrate; a first electrode provided on the substrate; an ion storage layer provided on the first electrode; a polymer electrolyte layer provided on the ion storage layer; an electrochromic layer provided on the polymer electrolyte layer; and a second electrode provided on the electrochromic layer, wherein the ion storage layer includes MoaTibOxNy, and a, b, x and y are the same as or different from each other and each independently a real number of greater than or equal to 0.5 and less than or equal to 60.