Electrochromic Nanoparticle Composition for Fast Proton Intercalation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for forming electrochromic layers face challenges in achieving uniform and fast proton intercalation, leading to inconsistent electrochromic properties due to the use of organic coordinating agents that inhibit growth and require high-temperature removal, which can cause agglomeration and oxidation of nanoparticles.
Innovation Solution
A composition comprising nanoparticles of electrochromic material with a surface ligand and a photoacid or its decomposition products adsorbed on the nanoparticle surfaces, allowing for uniform distribution and fast proton intercalation through ion migration, without the need for high-temperature removal of organic ligands, using a liquid-liquid extraction method to replace oleylamine with a polar surface ligand.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If organic coordinating agents (oleic acid, oleylamine) are used to cap nanoparticles during synthesis, then size and shape control of nanoparticles is achieved, but electrical conductivity of the nanoparticle layer is reduced and high-temperature removal is required causing agglomeration and oxidation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the harmful organic coordinating agents (oleic acid, oleylamine) from the nanoparticle surface after synthesis. This is achieved through solvent extraction methods where the nanoparticles are treated with polar solvents (alcohols, ketones, esters) that selectively dissolve and remove the organic ligands without damaging the nanoparticle core structure, thereby restoring electrical conductivity while maintaining size control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical environment parameters by introducing polar solvents with specific dielectric constants and boiling points to replace the non-polar organic coordinating agents. This parameter change allows the system to transition from a state where organic ligands dominate to one where the nanoparticle surfaces are accessible for electrical contact, improving conductivity without requiring high-temperature treatment
2Reliability
If high-temperature treatment is applied to remove organic ligands, then electrical conductivity is improved, but agglomeration and oxidation of nanoparticles occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the thermal field (high-temperature treatment) with a chemical field approach using solvent extraction. Instead of using heat energy to remove organic ligands, the invention employs chemical interactions between polar solvents and organic coordinating agents at lower temperatures, thereby achieving ligand removal without the harmful thermal effects that cause agglomeration and oxidation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a chemically inert extraction environment by using carefully selected polar solvents that do not promote oxidation of the nanoparticle surfaces during the ligand removal process. The extraction is performed under controlled conditions that prevent unwanted chemical reactions, allowing safe removal of organic ligands without oxidizing the electrochromic material
3Stability of the object's composition
If organic coordinating agents are present on nanoparticle surfaces, then colloidal stability is maintained, but proton intercalation is inhibited and electrochromic properties are inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary removal of organic coordinating agents before the electrochromic device is assembled and before proton intercalation is required. By conducting the solvent extraction step prior to device operation, the nanoparticle surfaces are pre-conditioned to be receptive to proton intercalation, ensuring consistent electrochromic properties from the start of device operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces polar solvents as intermediary substances that mediate between the organic coordinating agents and the nanoparticle surfaces. These solvents act as intermediaries that selectively bind to and remove the organic ligands, facilitating the transition from a ligand-capped state to a proton-accessible state without directly interacting with or damaging the nanoparticle core
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 solution enables a uniform and fast change in color/opacity of the electrochromic layer with improved electrochromic properties, avoiding agglomeration and oxidation issues, and enabling solution-processable, crack-free layers with reduced switching voltage.
Implementation Method 1
allowing for uniform distribution and fast proton intercalation through ion migration
Implementation Method 2
a surface ligand and a photoacid or its decomposition products adsorbed on the nanoparticle surfaces
Data Source
AI summary
The invention concerns a composition for forming an electrochromic layer which composition comprises or consists of the following components: Nanoparticles of electrochromic material, a solvent, a surface ligand adsorbed on the surfaces of the nanoparticles and either a photoacid, wherein the photoacid is also adsorbed on the surfaces of the nanoparticles, or decomposition products resulting from decomposition of a photoacid by irradiation, wherein the decomposition products are also adsorbed on the surfaces of the nanoparticles, wherein the decomposition products are organic components, acidic components, protons, cationic components, anionic components and/or radical components, wherein the nanoparticles in the composition are colloidal nanoparticles uniformly distributed within the solvent.