Solid-State Electrochromic Device with Composite Gel Electrolyte
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional liquid or gel-based electrochromic devices (ECDs) face challenges with mechanical robustness, leakage, and complex sealing requirements, which limit their flexibility and adaptability to various applications, whereas solid-state ECDs offer advantages like safety and roll-to-roll processing but require innovative electrolyte solutions for improved ion conductivity and transparency.
Innovation Solution
The development of a solid-state electrochromic device with a solid electrolyte layer containing less than 20 wt% neutral small organic molecules, utilizing ion-conducting polymers covalently linked with plasticizing moieties to enhance ion conductivity and transparency, and incorporating flexible substrates and transparent electrodes for flexibility and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If liquid or gel electrolytes are used in electrochromic devices, then ion conductivity is improved, but mechanical robustness and leakage resistance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite gel electrolyte system combining polyethylene oxide (PEO) polymer matrix with plasticizing agents (glymes, carboxylic acid esters, cyclic carbonates) and lithium salts. This composite structure provides both the mechanical stability of solid polymers and the ionic conductivity of liquid electrolytes, resolving the contradiction between mechanical robustness and ion conductivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the molecular weight of PEO (100,000-3,000,000 g/mol) and controls the weight percentage of plasticizing agents (5-50 wt%) to achieve the right balance between mechanical properties and ionic conductivity. By adjusting these parameters, the gel electrolyte maintains structural integrity while enabling sufficient ion transport.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If gel electrolytes are used to minimize leakage, then leakage resistance is improved, but the amount of liquid/gel remaining and mechanical robustness worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The gel electrolyte combines PEO polymer chains with plasticizing agents and lithium salts to create a composite material that eliminates liquid leakage while maintaining mechanical integrity. The polymer matrix provides structural framework preventing leakage, while the plasticizing agents ensure flexibility and ionic conductivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates different regions within the gel electrolyte with distinct functions: the PEO polymer matrix provides mechanical strength and leakage resistance, while the plasticizing agent-rich regions provide ionic conductivity and flexibility. This local differentiation of properties resolves the contradiction between leakage resistance and mechanical robustness.
3Productivity
If solid state ECDs are developed for safety and roll-to-roll processing, then safety and manufacturing efficiency are improved, but ion conductivity and transparency require innovative solutions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses solution processing methods to deposit the gel electrolyte as thin films, enabling roll-to-roll manufacturing. By controlling the concentration of PEO, plasticizing agents, and lithium salts in the solution, the patent achieves both manufacturability and high ion conductivity in the final solid-state device.
4Productivity
If solid state ECDs are developed for safety and roll-to-roll processing, then safety and manufacturing efficiency are improved, but transparency requires innovative solutions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the thickness and composition of the gel electrolyte layer to balance transparency and ionic conductivity. By controlling the weight percentage of plasticizing agents and the molecular weight of PEO, the patent achieves sufficient transparency for electrochromic applications while maintaining roll-to-roll processing capability.
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 provides stable, flexible, and transparent solid-state ECDs with improved ion conductivity, enabling long-life cycles and adaptability to curved surfaces, reducing the need for complex sealing and enhancing safety and production efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a solid electrolyte layer disposed on the electrochromic layer... The solid electrolyte layer contains less than 20 wt % of neutral small organic molecules having a molecular weight of 3000 or less
Implementation Method 2
an electrochromic layer disposed on the first transparent electrode
Implementation Method 3
an ion storage layer disposed on the solid electrolyte layer
Data Source
AI summary
An electrochromic apparatus includes a first glass, a first adhesive layer disposed on the first glass, a second glass, a second adhesive layer disposed on the second glass, a solid-state electrochromic device (ECD) interposed between the first adhesive layer and the second adhesive layer, and a sealant disposed at edges of the first glass and the second glass to seal the ECD. The first adhesive layer and the second adhesive layer are disposed between the first glass and the second glass. The first adhesive layer and the second adhesive layer are optically transparent. Edges of the adhesive layers are flush with or beyond edges of the ECD. The sealant is adhesive and waterproof.