Silanol-Bonded Organic-Inorganic Composite for Electrode Durability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing organic-inorganic composite materials for electrochromic and photoelectric conversion devices suffer from poor durability due to weak bonding between metal oxides and functional organic materials, leading to desorption issues and reduced stability over time.
Innovation Solution
The formation of a silanol bond between metal oxides and functional organic materials using silane coupling agents, which creates a strong and stable binding that prevents desorption and enhances durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If hydrogen bonding is used to adsorb functional organic material to metal oxide, then the material can be easily formed, but the bonding strength is insufficient leading to poor durability
Solution Approach 1:
A silane coupling agent is introduced as an intermediary substance between the functional organic material and the metal oxide. The silane coupling agent contains both organic functional groups that bond with the organic material and inorganic groups that form strong bonds with the metal oxide surface, creating a stable bridge that significantly enhances bonding strength and durability while maintaining ease of formation through simple immersion or coating processes
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite structure consisting of three components: the metal oxide substrate, the silane coupling agent layer, and the functional organic material. This composite material approach combines the advantages of strong inorganic bonding with organic functionality, achieving both high durability and ease of manufacture that neither component could achieve alone
2Device complexity
If simple adsorption is used to bind organic compound to inorganic fine particles, then the process is simple, but the bonds are easily broken under operational conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The silane coupling agent serves as a mediator that transforms the simple adsorption process into a multi-stage bonding process. The silane first hydrolyzes and condenses on the metal oxide surface forming strong covalent bonds, then the organic functional groups on the silane form stable bonds with the organic material, maintaining process simplicity while dramatically increasing bonding strength
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the bonding interface by introducing silane groups that can undergo hydrolysis and condensation reactions. This parameter change transforms weak physical adsorption into strong chemical bonding, achieving high bonding strength while keeping the overall process simple through controlled chemical reactions
3Stability of the object's composition
If conventional surface treatment with silane coupling agent is performed, then surface properties are improved, but functional electrode with strong binding is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The silane coupling agent is designed with multi-functionality: it provides surface property improvement through hydrophobic or hydrophilic modification, creates strong bonding through covalent attachment to both metal oxide and organic material, and enables functional electrode formation by maintaining the electrochemical activity of the organic material. This universal approach achieves all three goals simultaneously
4Ease of manufacture
If weak adsorption bonds are used, then material can be easily applied, but desorption occurs over time reducing performance stability
Solution Approach 1:
The silane coupling agent acts as a permanent intermediary that prevents desorption by forming strong covalent bonds on both sides - anchoring to the metal oxide surface through hydrolyzed silane groups and bonding to the organic material through functional groups. This intermediary structure maintains ease of application while ensuring long-term performance stability by eliminating desorption
Solution Approach 2:
The silane coupling agent performs preliminary action by pre-establishing strong bonding anchors on the metal oxide surface before the organic material is applied. This preliminary bonding network prevents subsequent desorption and ensures long-term stability, while the overall process remains easy to execute through sequential simple steps
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 approach results in an organic-inorganic composite material with improved durability and initial color development density, maintaining performance over time in electrochromic and photoelectric conversion devices.
Implementation Method 1
the functional organic material and the metal oxide are bound via a silanol bond
Implementation Method 2
a functional organic material located on the metal oxide
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an organic-inorganic composite material containing a metal oxide, and a functional organic material located on the metal oxide, wherein the functional organic material and the metal oxide are bound via a silanol bond. An aspect that the silanol bond is formed by reacting a silane coupling agent with the metal oxide, and an aspect that the silane coupling agent has a reactive terminal are preferred. The present invention also provides a display electrode for electrochromic display device and electrode for photoelectric conversion device using the organic-inorganic composite material, an electrochromic display device using the display electrode and a photoelectric conversion device using the electrode.