Nickel Oxide Electrochromic Layer Porosity Gradient
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing electrochromic elements, as described in prior art, do not achieve a sufficient light transmittance difference between their colored and decolored states, limiting their effectiveness as light control elements.
Innovation Solution
An electrochromic element is designed with a specific structure comprising a first transparent electrode layer, an oxidation color development layer containing nickel and other metal elements, an electrolyte layer with a higher porosity near the oxidation color development layer, and a reduction color development layer, where the oxidation color development layer has a thickness of 20 nm or more and includes needle-shaped structures, enhancing ion and electron conductivity for improved light transmittance switching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If an electrochromic material layer having a nanostructure is used, then the response speed is improved, but the light transmittance difference is not sufficiently increased
Solution Approach 1:
The oxidation color development layer is divided into two regions with different porosity: a near-electrode layer with lower porosity (0-10 nm from electrode interface) and a near-electrolyte layer with higher porosity (10-20 nm from electrode interface). This local differentiation optimizes both electron transport (lower porosity near electrode) and ion transport (higher porosity near electrolyte), simultaneously improving response speed and light transmittance difference
Solution Approach 2:
The oxidation color development layer is formulated as a composite material containing nickel (50-80 at%) combined with other metal elements (20-50 at%) such as Group 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, or 14 elements. This composite composition enhances both the electrochromic performance (light transmittance difference) and electrical conductivity (response speed)
2Illumination intensity
If the oxidation color development layer thickness is increased to improve light transmittance difference, then the light transmittance difference is improved, but the response speed may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The oxidation color development layer is designed with controlled porosity (10-30%) and a specific thickness of 20 nm or more. The porous structure provides efficient ion transport pathways that maintain fast response speed even with increased thickness, while the increased thickness itself enhances the light transmittance difference by providing more material for electrochromic coloration
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 achieves a large light transmittance difference and improved switching speed due to the balanced ion and electron conductivity, making it suitable for effective light control applications.
Implementation Method 1
The electrochromic phenomenon is a phenomenon in which by induction of a reversible electrochemical reaction (oxidation reaction or reduction reaction) developed during application of voltage between a pair of electrode layers, a light absorption region of a substance is changed, so that the substance is colored or decolored.
Implementation Method 2
The electrochromic phenomenon is a phenomenon in which by induction of a reversible electrochemical reaction (oxidation reaction or reduction reaction) developed during application of voltage
Implementation Method 3
The porosity of a near-electrolyte layer extending up to 10 nm in a thickness direction from an interface with the electrolyte layer is larger than a porosity of a near-electrode layer extending up to 10 nm in the thickness direction from the interface with the first transparent electrode layer
Data Source
AI summary
An electrochromic element includes a first transparent electrode layer, an oxidation color development layer, an electrolyte layer and a second transparent electrode layer in this order. The oxidation color development layer is an oxide layer or a hydroxide layer, and contains nickel as a main component, and metal elements other than nickel. The oxidation color development layer has a thickness of 20 nm or more. The first transparent electrode layer and the oxidation color development layer are in contact with each other. The oxidation color development layer and the electrolyte layer are in contact with each other. The oxidation color development layer includes a near-electrolyte layer and a near-electrode layer. The porosity of the near-electrolyte layer is larger than the porosity of the near-electrode layer.