阅读说明：本技术 电致变色膜和包括其的电致变色装置 (Electrochromic film and electrochromic device including the same ) 是由 金容赞 金起焕 于 2018-04-23 设计创作，主要内容包括：本申请涉及电致变色膜和包括其的装置。所述电致变色膜包括电致变色层和具有与所述电致变色层的着色水平不同的着色水平的钝化层。本申请的所述电致变色膜和所述电致变色装置不仅具有优异的耐久性和颜色转换速度,而且还可以逐步控制光学特性。(The present application relates to electrochromic films and devices including the same. The electrochromic film includes an electrochromic layer and a passivation layer having a coloring level different from that of the electrochromic layer. The electrochromic film and the electrochromic device of the present application not only have excellent durability and color conversion speed, but also can gradually control optical characteristics.)

1. An electrochromic film comprising: an electrochromic layer; and a passivation layer on one side of the electrochromic layer and having a coloring level different from that of the electrochromic layer.

2. The electrochromic film of claim 1, wherein a coloration level of the passivation layer is higher than a coloration level of the electrochromic layer.

3. The electrochromic film of claim 1, wherein the electrochromic layer comprises a reductive electrochromic material or an oxidative electrochromic material.

4. The electrochromic film of claim 1, wherein the electrochromic layer comprises a reducing electrochromic material, and the reducing electrochromic material comprises an oxide of Ti, Nb, Mo, Ta, or W.

5. The electrochromic film of claim 1, wherein the passivation layer comprises a metal oxynitride.

6. The electrochromic film of claim 5, wherein the metal oxynitride comprises two or more metals selected from Ti, Nb, Mo, Ta, and W.

7. The electrochromic film of claim 6, wherein the metal oxynitride comprises Mo and Ti.

8. The electrochromic film according to claim 7, wherein the metal oxynitride is represented by the following formula 1:

[ formula 1]

MoTiON

(wherein a represents an element content ratio of Mo, b represents an element content ratio of Ti, x represents an element content ratio of O, and y represents an element content ratio of N, wherein a >0, b >0, x >0, y >0, 0.5< a/b <4.0, and 0.005< y/x < 0.02).

9. The electrochromic film of claim 1, wherein the passivation layer has a film density (p) of 15g/cm3 or less.

10. The electrochromic film of claim 1, wherein the thickness of the passivation layer is 150nm or less.

11. An electrochromic device comprising, in order: a first electrode layer; an electrolyte layer; the electrochromic film of any one of claims 1 to 10; and a second electrode layer.

12. The electrochromic device of claim 11, comprising, in order, the electrolyte layer, the passivation layer, and the electrochromic layer.

13. The electrochromic device of claim 12, wherein the first and second electrode layers comprise a transparent conductive compound, a metal mesh, or an OMO (oxide/metal/oxide).

14. The electrochromic device of claim 13, wherein the second electrode layer comprises an OMO (oxide/metal/oxide).

15. The electrochromic device of claim 13, wherein the OMO (oxide/metal/oxide) comprises upper and lower layers, and the upper and lower layers comprise oxides of Sb, Ba, Ga, Ge, Hf, In, La, Se, Si, Ta, Se, Ti, V, Y, Zn, Zr, or alloys thereof.

16. The electrochromic device of claim 15, wherein the upper layer has a thickness in a range of 10nm to 120nm and a refractive index of visible light in a range of 1.0 to 3.0, and the lower layer has a thickness in a range of 10nm to 100nm and a refractive index of visible light in a range of 1.3 to 2.7.

17. The electrochromic device of claim 15, wherein the OMO (oxide/metal/oxide) comprises a metal layer between the upper layer and the lower layer, and the metal layer comprises Ag, Cu, Zn, Au, Pd, or alloys thereof.

18. The electrochromic device of claim 17, wherein the metal layer has a thickness in a range of 3nm to 30nm and a refractive index of visible light of 1 or less.

19. The electrochromic device of claim 11, wherein the electrolyte layer comprises a compound that provides H +, Li +, Na +, K +, Rb +, or Cs +.

20. The electrochromic device of claim 11, further comprising an ion storage layer between the first electrode layer and the electrolyte layer, wherein the ion storage layer comprises an electrochromic material having different coloration characteristics than the electrochromic material comprised in the electrochromic layer.

Technical Field

Cross Reference to Related Applications

The present application claims priority rights based on korean patent application No. 10-2017-0052046 filed 24.4.2017 and korean patent application No. 10-2018-0045422 filed 19.4.2018, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

Background

Electrochromic refers to a phenomenon in which optical characteristics of an electrochromic material are changed by an electrochemical oxidation or reduction reaction, wherein a device using the phenomenon is referred to as an electrochromic device. Electrochromic devices typically include a working electrode, a counter electrode, and an electrolyte, where the optical properties of each electrode can be reversibly changed by an electrochemical reaction. For example, the working electrode or the counter electrode may contain a transparent conductive material and an electrochromic material, respectively, in the form of a film, and in the case where a potential is applied to the device, a change in optical characteristics of the electrochromic material occurs as electrolyte ions are inserted into or removed from the film containing the electrochromic material and electrons are simultaneously moved through an external circuit.

Such an electrochromic device can manufacture a device having a large area at a small cost and has low power consumption, so that it attracts attention as a smart window or a smart mirror and other next-generation architectural window materials. However, since it takes a lot of time to insert and/or remove electrolyte ions for the optical characteristic change (i.e., color change) of the entire region of the electrochromic layer, there is a disadvantage that the color conversion speed is slow. Such a drawback is more pronounced when the transparent conductive electrode has a high sheet resistance or when the electrochromic device is required to have a large area.

On the other hand, recently, demands for electrochromic devices have been increasing, and application fields have also been diversified, and thus it is required to develop devices capable of finely adjusting optical characteristics while having excellent durability.

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problem

It is an object of the present application to provide an electrochromic film capable of electrochromic.

It is another object of the present application to provide an electrochromic film having an improved color conversion speed or electrochromic speed.

It is another object of the present application to provide an electrochromic film having excellent durability and an improved level of usability.

Another object of the present application is to provide an electrochromic film capable of finely adjusting transmittance.

It is another object of the present application to provide an electrochromic device including the electrochromic film.

The above and other objects of the present application are all solved by the present application as described in detail below.

Technical scheme

In one example of the present application, the present application relates to an electrochromic film. The electrochromic film may include an electrochromic material, and may change optical characteristics due to electrochromism according to an electrochemical reaction. Such electrochromism may occur in one or more layers included in the electrochromic film.

The electrochromic film may include an electrochromic layer and a passivation layer. In particular, the electrochromic film may include an electrochromic layer and a passivation layer positioned on one side of the electrochromic layer. In this application, the term "on … …" used in connection with a position between components is used in a sense corresponding to "above" or "upper" and, unless otherwise stated, may also mean that a component having a related position directly contacts and is present on another component at the same time, and may also mean that there is another component between them.

In one example, the electrochromic layer and the passivation layer may have light transmitting properties. In the present application, the light transmission property may mean a case that is sufficiently transparent to enable a clear view of a change in optical properties such as a color change occurring in the electrochromic device, and for example, may mean a case that the light transmittance of the corresponding layer is at least 60% or more in a state (and/or a decolored state) without any external factor such as potential application. More specifically, the lower limit of the light transmittance of the electrochromic layer and the passivation layer may be 60% or more, 70% or more, or 75% or more, and the upper limit of the light transmittance may be 95% or less, 90% or less, or 85% or less. When the light transmission characteristics within the above range are satisfied, a user can sufficiently observe the change in optical characteristics of the film or device due to electrochromic applied according to the potential, that is, reversible coloring and decoloring. That is, in the case of having light transmission characteristics in an uncolored state, it is suitable for an electrochromic device. Unless otherwise specified, "light" in the present application may mean visible light in a wavelength range of 380nm to 780nm, more specifically, visible light having a wavelength of 550 nm. The transmittance may be measured using a known Haze Meter (HM).

The electrochromic layer may comprise an electrochromic material capable of electrochromic, i.e. an organic material or an inorganic material. As the inorganic material, a metal oxide may be used.

In one example, the electrochromic layer may comprise a reducing electrochromic material that undergoes coloration upon a reduction reaction. The type of usable reductive electrochromic material is not particularly limited, but inorganic electrochromic materials such as oxides of Ti, Nb, Mo, Ta, or W may be used. For example, WO3, MoO3, Nb2O5, Ta2O5, TiO2, or the like can be used.

In another example, the electrochromic layer may comprise an oxidative electrochromic material that colors upon oxidation. The kind of the oxidative electrochromic material that can be used is not particularly limited, but one or more inorganic electrochromic materials selected from the following may be used: oxides of Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Rh or Ir; hydroxides of Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Rh or Ir; and prussian blue. For example, LiNiOx, IrO2, NiO, V2O5, LixCoO2, Rh2O3, CrO3, or the like can be used.

The thickness of the electrochromic layer may be in the range of 50nm to 450nm, without particular limitation.

The method of forming the electrochromic layer is not particularly limited. For example, the layers may be formed using a variety of known deposition methods.

The passivation layer may mean a layer capable of preventing deterioration of adjacent layers when the film or the element is driven. The passivation layer may comprise an oxynitride containing two or more metals at the same time.

In one example, the passivation layer may have an oxynitride simultaneously containing two or more metals selected from Ti, Nb, Mo, Ta, and W.

More specifically, the passivation layer may include both Mo and Ti. In this regard, a nitride, oxide, or oxynitride containing only Mo has poor adhesion to an adjacent thin film, and a nitride, oxide, or oxynitride containing only Ti has poor durability, such as decomposition upon potential application. In particular, since a nitride or oxynitride containing any one of the metals listed above (for example, only Ti or only Mo) has low light transmission characteristics, such as a visible light transmittance of 40% or less, 35% or less, or 30% or less, even in a state where no potential or the like is applied, it is not suitable for use as a member of an electrochromic film requiring transparency at the time of decoloring. In addition, when a material having low transmittance as described above is used, it is difficult to see clear coloration and discolored optical characteristic changes required in an electrochromic device.

In one example, the metal oxynitride contained in the passivation layer may be represented by formula 1 below.

[ formula 1]

MoTiON

In formula 1, a represents the element content ratio of Mo, b represents the element content ratio of Ti, x represents the element content ratio of O, and y represents the element content ratio of N, where a >0, b >0, x >0, y >0, 0.5< a/b <4.0, and 0.005< y/x < 0.02. In the present application, the term "element content ratio" may be atomic% and may be measured by XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy). When the element content ratio (a/b) is satisfied, a passivation layer having excellent adhesion to other layer configurations and having durability can be provided. When the element content ratio (y/x) is satisfied, the passivation layer may have a light transmittance of 60% or more. In particular, when the element content ratio (y/x) is not satisfied, the passivation layer has very low light transmission characteristics (transparency), for example, light transmission of 40% or less or 35% or less, and thus the passivation layer cannot be used as a member of an electrochromic device.

In one example, the film density (ρ) of the passivation layer may be 15g/cm3 or less. For example, the lower limit of the film density (ρ) value may be 0.5g/cm3 or more, 0.7g/cm3 or more, or 1g/cm3 or more, and the upper limit of the film density (ρ) value may be 13g/cm3 or less, or 10g/cm3 or less. Film density can be measured by XRR (X-ray reflectance).

In one example, the thickness of the passivation layer may be 150nm or less. For example, the thickness of the passivation layer may be 140nm or less, 130nm or less, 120nm or less, 110nm or less, or 100nm or less. When the upper limit of the thickness is exceeded, the insertion or desorption of electrolyte ions may be reduced, and the color conversion speed may be adversely affected. The lower limit of the thickness of the passivation layer is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 10nm or more, 20nm or more, or 30nm or more. When it is less than 10nm, the film stability is poor.

In one example, the visible light refractive index of the passivation layer may be in a range of 1.5 to 3.0 or in a range of 1.8 to 2.8. When the refractive index of the visible light of the passivation layer is within the above range, appropriate light transmission characteristics can be achieved in the electrochromic film.

The method of forming the passivation layer is not particularly limited. For example, the layers may be formed using a variety of known deposition methods.

In the present application, the coloring levels of the electrochromic layer and the passivation layer may be different from each other. In the present application, "level of coloration" may mean the "minimum amplitude (absolute value)" of the voltage that may be applied to the electrochromic-capable layer to cause a color change (coloration and/or decoloration), such as the case: when the electrochromic-capable layer has a color by inducing an electrochemical reaction by a voltage of a predetermined magnitude applied to the electrochromic-capable layer or a film including the same, or the like, the transmittance of the layer or the film is reduced. For example, when a voltage is applied to the electrochromic film at predetermined time intervals in the order of-0.1V, -0.5V, -1V, and-1.5V, and then the electrochromic layer has been colored after the application of-1V, the coloring level of the electrochromic layer may be considered to be 1V. The fact that the passivation layer has a different coloring level from the electrochromic layer means that the passivation layer can also be colored and decolored by an electrochemical reaction like the electrochromic layer, but the minimum magnitude (absolute value) of the voltage causing coloring of the electrochromic layer and the minimum magnitude (absolute value) of the voltage causing coloring of the passivation layer are different from each other. In this regard, since the coloring level, i.e., the minimum amplitude (absolute value) of the voltage causing coloring, acts as a kind of barrier against coloring, when a potential smaller than the minimum amplitude (absolute value) of the coloring level of the relevant layer is applied, coloring of the relevant layer does not actually occur. For this reason, as described above, the kind and/or content of the metal contained in the oxide and oxynitride of each layer can be appropriately controlled.

In one example, the coloration level of the passivation layer may have a value greater than the coloration level of the electrochromic layer. For example, when the coloring level of the electrochromic layer is 0.5V, the coloring level of the passivation layer may be 1V. Alternatively, when the coloring level of the electrochromic layer is 1V, the coloring level of the passivation layer may be 2V or 3V. In one example, the coloring level of the electrochromic layer having the above-described configuration may be 1V.

In one example, only the electrochromic layer of the electrochromic film may be colored. More specifically, when the coloring level of the passivation layer is higher than that of the electrochromic layer and an intermediate value potential of the coloring levels of the respective layers is applied to the electrochromic film, the passivation layer having a coloring level higher than that of the electrochromic layer cannot be colored, and only the electrochromic layer may be colored. For example, the colored electrochromic layer may have a light transmittance of 45% or less, or 40% or less, and the uncolored passivation layer may maintain a visible light transmittance of 60% or more, or 70% or more. In this case, the light transmittance of the electrochromic film including the colored electrochromic layer may be 45% or less, 40% or less, 35% or less, or 30% or less. The lower limit of the light transmittance of the conductive laminate including the colored electrochromic layer is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 20% or more.

In one example, the passivation layer including the oxynitride of formula 1 above may be colored under a voltage application condition of-2V or less, for example, -2.5V or less, or-3V or less. That is, the coloring level of the passivation layer may be 2V, 2.5V, or 3V. For example, when voltages of-1.5V and-2.0V are applied to the electrochromic film or a device including the same at predetermined time intervals, the passivation layer may be gradually colored (the coloring may be seen by a user) from a point when-2.0V is applied. The passivation layer satisfying the above formula 1 may be colored in a color of (dark) gray or black system. The level of coloration of the passivation layer may vary slightly within a range of 2V or more, depending on the configuration used together in the electrochromic film.

In one example, monovalent cations may be present in one or more layers that make up the layer structure of the electrochromic films of the present application. For example, monovalent cations may be present in either one of the passivation layer and the electrochromic layer, or monovalent cations may be present in both the passivation layer and the electrochromic layer. In the present application, the presence of monovalent cations in any layer included in the electrochromic film is used in a meaning including the following cases: for example, a case where a monovalent cation is contained (inserted) in the form of an ion (e.g., Li +) in each layer, and a case where the inserted monovalent cation is chemically bonded to a metal oxynitride or a metal oxide to be contained in each layer. In the present application, the insertion of the monovalent cation may be performed before the electrochromic device (formed by laminating the electrolyte layer and the electrochromic film) is manufactured.

In one example, the monovalent cation may be a cation of an element different from a metal contained in the metal oxynitride of the passivation layer or the metal oxide of the electrochromic layer. The monovalent cation is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, H +, Li +, Na +, K +, Rb +, or Cs +. Monovalent cations may also be used as electrolyte ions capable of participating in an electrochromic reaction (e.g., coloration or decolorization of an electrochromic layer as described below). Thus, the presence of monovalent cations in the layers facilitates the migration of monovalent cations required for the subsequent reversible electrochromic reaction between the electrolyte and the respective layers, and makes it possible to omit the initialization operation described below.

In one example, when monovalent cations are present in the electrochromic layer, the monovalent cations may be present in a content range of 1.0X 10-8mol to 1.0X 10-6mol, more specifically, 5.0X 10-8mol to 1.0X 10-7mol, per cm2 of the electrochromic layer. When the monovalent cation is present in the above content range, the above object can be achieved.

In another example, when monovalent cations are present in the passivation layer, the monovalent cations may be present in a content range of 5.0X 10-9mol to 5.0X 10-7mol, more specifically, 2.5X 10-8mol to 2.5X 10-7mol, per cm2 of the passivation layer. When the monovalent cation is present in the above content range, the above object can be achieved.

In the present application, the content of monovalent cations present in each layer, i.e., the number of moles, can be obtained from the relationship between the amount of charge in each layer in which monovalent cations are present and the number of moles of electrons. For example, when monovalent cations are inserted into the electrochromic film of the above-described configuration using a potentiostat device to be described below and the charge amount of the passivation layer in the film is a (C/cm2), the value of the charge amount a divided by the faraday constant F (a/F) may be the number of moles of electrons present per cm2 of the passivation layer. On the other hand, since the electron (e-) and the monovalent cation can react in a ratio of 1:1, the maximum amount (i.e., the maximum number of moles) of the monovalent cation present in each layer can be equal to the number of moles of the electron obtained from the above. With respect to the content of monovalent cations, a method of measuring the amount of charge is not particularly limited, and a known method may be used. For example, the amount of charge can be measured by a Potential Step Chronoamperometry (PSCA) using a potentiostat device.

In one example, a potentiostat device may be used to achieve the presence of monovalent cations in some of the layers of the layer structure that make up the electrochromic film, i.e., to intercalate monovalent cations into some of the layers of the electrochromic film. Specifically, monovalent cations can be inserted into the electrochromic film by the following method: a three-electrode potentiostat device composed of a working electrode, a reference electrode comprising Ag, and a counter electrode comprising lithium foil or the like is provided in an electrolyte solution containing monovalent cations, an electrochromic film is connected to the working electrode, and then a predetermined voltage is applied. The magnitude of the predetermined voltage applied for inserting the monovalent cation may be determined in consideration of the degree of content of the monovalent cation contained in the electrolyte, the degree of insertion of the monovalent cation required in the electrochromic film, the optical characteristics of the required film or device, or the coloring level of the electrochromic-capable layer, which will be described below, and the like.

In another example of the present application, the present application relates to an electrochromic device. The electrochromic device may include a first electrode layer, an electrolyte layer, an electrochromic film, and a second electrode layer in this order. Separate layers or additional structures may be interposed between the laminated individual constructions to construct the device, or the electrochromic device may also be constructed while the above-listed constructions are in direct contact with each other. The electrochromic film may have the same configuration as described above.

In one example, the electrochromic device may be configured such that the passivation layer in the electrochromic film structure is positioned closest to the electrolyte layer. More specifically, the electrochromic device may include a first electrode layer, an electrolyte layer, a passivation layer, an electrochromic layer, and a second electrode layer in this order.

Without particular limitation, the thickness of the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer may be 50nm to 400nm or less. In addition, the electrode layer may also have a light transmittance in the range of 60% to 95%. The first electrode layer and the second electrode layer may include a transparent conductive compound, a metal mesh, or an OMO (oxide/metal/oxide).

In one example, the transparent conductive compound used In the electrode layer may be exemplified by ITO (indium tin oxide), In2O3 (indium oxide), IGO (indium gallium oxide), FTO (fluorine-doped tin oxide), AZO (aluminum-doped zinc oxide), GZO (gallium-doped zinc oxide), ATO (antimony-doped tin oxide), IZO (indium-doped zinc oxide), NTO (niobium-doped titanium oxide), ZnO (zinc oxide), CTO (tungsten cesium oxide), or the like. However, the material of the transparent conductive compound is not limited to the above-listed materials.

In one example, the metal mesh for the electrode layer includes Ag, Cu, Al, Mg, Au, Pt, W, Mo, Ti, Ni, or an alloy thereof, which may have a lattice form. However, materials that can be used for the metal mesh are not limited to the above-listed metal materials.

In one example, the electrode layer may comprise an OMO (oxide/metal/oxide). Since the OMO has a lower sheet resistance than the transparent conductive oxide typified by ITO, improvement of electrical characteristics of the electrochromic device, for example, shortening of the color conversion speed of the electrochromic device, can be achieved.

The OMO may include an upper layer, a lower layer, and a metal layer located between the two layers. In the present application, the upper layer may mean a layer relatively distant from the passivation layer among layers constituting the OMO.

In one example, the upper and lower layers of the OMO electrode may comprise an oxide of Sb, Ba, Ga, Ge, Hf, In, La, Se, Si, Ta, Se, Ti, V, Y, Zn, Zr, or alloys thereof. The types of the respective metal oxides contained in the upper layer and the lower layer may be the same or different.

In one example, the thickness of the upper layer may be in the range of 10nm to 120nm or in the range of 20nm to 100 nm. Further, the refractive index of visible light of the upper layer may be in the range of 1.0 to 3.0 or in the range of 1.2 to 2.8. Having a refractive index and a thickness within the above ranges, an appropriate level of optical characteristics can be imparted to the device.

In one example, the thickness of the lower layer may be in the range of 10nm to 100nm or in the range of 20nm to 80 nm. Further, the refractive index of visible light of the lower layer may be in the range of 1.3 to 2.7 or in the range of 1.5 to 2.5. Having a refractive index and a thickness within the above ranges, an appropriate level of optical characteristics can be imparted to the device.

In one example, the metal layer included in the OMO electrode may include a low resistance metal material. There is no particular limitation, and for example, one or more of Ag, Cu, Zn, Au, Pd, and alloys thereof may be included in the metal layer.

In one example, the thickness of the metal layer may be in a range of 3nm to 30nm or in a range of 5nm to 20 nm. Further, the metal layer may have a refractive index of visible light of 1 or less or 0.5 or less. Having a refractive index and a thickness within the above ranges, an appropriate level of optical characteristics can be imparted to the device.

As in one example of the present application described above, an electrochromic film includes an electrochromic layer and a passivation layer. The electrochromic layer may then comprise a reducing electrochromic material or an oxidizing electrochromic material. In one example, when the electrochromic layer includes a reductive electrochromic material, two metal components included in the passivation layer are selected from metals that can be used for the electrochromic layer, and thus the passivation layer and the electrochromic layer included in the electrochromic film are considered to have similar physical/chemical characteristics. Therefore, when electrolyte ions are inserted into the electrochromic film from the electrolyte layer, the electrolyte ions can be inserted into the electrochromic layer without interference from the passivation layer. This is also applicable to the case where electrolyte ions are removed from the electrochromic film or its constituent layers.

It was also determined that the passivation layer improved the driving characteristics of the electrochromic device. Specifically, since there is a difference in reactivity or oxidation tendency between metal components used in the respective layers, there may be a problem that the metal used in any layer (for example, an electrode layer or a metal layer) is eluted when the migration of interlayer electrolyte ions is repeated. This problem is more clearly observed when using the OMO. However, in the present application, since the passivation layer may contain electrolyte ions and it plays a certain buffering role, it is possible to prevent deterioration of a metal material used for an electrode layer, an electrochromic film, or the like. Accordingly, the electrochromic device of the present application may have excellent durability and improved color conversion speed as well as a sufficiently improved level of usability. Further, as described below, since the passivation layer has a different coloring level from the electrochromic layer, the present application can more finely adjust the optical characteristics of the electrochromic device.

The electrolyte layer may be of a configuration that provides electrolyte ions that participate in the electrochromic reaction. The electrolyte ion may be a monovalent cation, for example, H +, Li +, Na +, K +, Rb +, or Cs +, which may be inserted into the electrochromic film to participate in the electrochromic reaction.

The type of electrolyte used in the electrolyte layer is not particularly limited. For example, a liquid electrolyte, a gel polymer electrolyte, or an inorganic solid electrolyte may be used without limitation.

The specific composition of the electrolyte used in the electrolyte layer is not particularly limited as long as it may contain a compound capable of providing monovalent cations (i.e., H +, Li +, Na +, K +, Rb +, or Cs +). For example, the electrolyte layer may comprise a lithium salt compound, such as LiClO4, LiBF4, LiAsF6, or LiPF6, or a sodium salt compound, such as NaClO 4.

In another example, the electrolyte layer may further include a carbonate compound as a solvent. Since the carbonate-based compound has a high dielectric constant, the ionic conductivity can be improved. As a non-limiting example, a solvent such as PC (propylene carbonate), EC (ethylene carbonate), DMC (dimethyl carbonate), DEC (diethyl carbonate), or EMC (ethyl methyl carbonate) may be used as the carbonate-based compound.

In another example, when the electrolyte layer includes a gel polymer electrolyte, polymers such as polyvinylidene fluoride (PVdF), Polyacrylonitrile (PAN), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene oxide (PEO), polypropylene oxide (PPO), poly (vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene) (PVdF-HFP), polyvinyl acetate (PVAc), Polyethylene Oxide (POE), and polyamide imide (PAI) may be used.

the light transmittance of the electrolyte layer may be in the range of 60% to 95%, and the thickness may be in the range of 10 μm to 200 μm, without particular limitation.

In one example, the electrochromic device of the present application may further include an ion storage layer. The ion storage layer may mean a layer formed to match charge balance with the electrochromic layer and/or the passivation layer at the time of reversible redox reaction for electrochromic of the electrochromic material. An ion storage layer may be positioned between the first electrode layer and the electrolyte layer.

The ion storage layer may include an electrochromic material having coloring characteristics different from those of the electrochromic material used in the electrochromic layer. For example, when the electrochromic layer comprises a reductive electrochromic material, the ion storage layer may comprise an oxidative electrochromic material. The reverse is also possible.

Without particular limitation, the thickness of the ion storage layer may be in the range of 50nm to 450nm, and the light transmittance may be in the range of 60% to 95%.

When an electrochromic device includes two electrochromic materials having different coloring characteristics in separate layers, the respective layers including the electrochromic materials must have the same colored or decolored state as each other. For example, when an electrochromic layer including a reductive electrochromic material is colored, an ion storage layer including an oxidative electrochromic material must also have a colored state, and conversely, when an electrochromic layer including a reductive electrochromic material is decolored, an ion storage layer including an oxidative electrochromic material must also be in a decolored state. However, as described above, since two electrochromic materials having different coloring characteristics do not contain electrolyte ions by themselves, an operation of matching coloring or decoloring states between layers containing the respective electrochromic materials is also required. This operation is generally referred to as an initialization operation. For example, in the case where transparent WO3 which is colored by reduction but is colorless by itself is contained in the first layer and prussian blue which is colored by itself is contained in the second layer (opposite layer), prussian blue is usually subjected to decoloring treatment (reduction treatment) by applying a high voltage to the second layer of an electrochromic device which is constituted by laminating an electrode layer, the first layer, an electrolyte layer, the second layer and an electrode layer. However, the initialization operation performed at a high potential has a problem of reducing the durability of the device, such as causing side reactions in the electrode and the electrolyte layer. On the other hand, in the present application, prior to lamination of the respective layer structures for element formation, monovalent cations usable as electrolyte ions may be previously inserted into the electrochromic film, and the electrochromic layer and/or the passivation layer may also be optionally colored, so that the above initialization operation is not required. Therefore, the device can be driven without decreasing the durability due to the initialization operation.

In one example, the electrochromic device may further comprise a substrate. The substrate may be located on a side surface of the device, in particular on a side surface of the first electrode layer and/or the second electrode layer.

The substrate may also have light transmission characteristics, i.e., a light transmission in the range of 60% to 95%. The type of the substrate to be used is not particularly limited if the transmittance within the above range is satisfied. For example, glass or polymer resins may be used. More specifically, a polyester film such as PC (polycarbonate), PEN (poly (ethylene naphthalate)), or PET (poly (ethylene terephthalate)), an acrylic film such as PMMA (poly (methyl methacrylate)), or a polyolefin film such as PE (polyethylene) or PP (polypropylene), or the like may be used, but is not limited thereto.

The electrochromic device may also include a power source. The method of electrically connecting the power source to the device is not particularly limited, and this may be appropriately performed by those skilled in the art. The voltage applied by the power supply may be a constant voltage.

In one example, the power source may alternately apply a voltage at levels capable of decolorizing and coloring the electrochromic material at predetermined time intervals.

In another example, the power source may vary the magnitude of the voltage applied at predetermined time intervals. Specifically, the power supply may apply a plurality of coloring voltages that sequentially increase or decrease at predetermined time intervals, and apply a plurality of decoloring voltages that sequentially increase or decrease at predetermined time intervals.

In another example, the power source may sequentially apply the coloring level of the electrochromic layer and the coloring level of the passivation layer when the coloring level of the passivation layer is greater than the coloring level of the electrochromic layer. In this case, the electrochromic layer is colored first, and then the passivation layer is further colored. Thus, the electrochromic device of the present application can achieve very low levels of light transmittance, for example, 10% or less or 5% or less in the colored state up to the passivation layer. That is, for example, if a light transmittance of at least about 20% or 15% can be achieved with only the electrochromic layer and/or the ion storage layer colored, a visible light transmittance of 10% or less, or 5% or less, can be achieved in the device of the present application that is gradually colored to the passivation layer. The above-described level of light transmittance is a value that is difficult to be practically realized in the related art using only the configuration corresponding to the electrochromic layer and the ion storage layer. Further, in the related art using only the configuration corresponding to the electrochromic layer and the ion storage layer, it cannot be expected to finely adjust the light transmittance stepwise as in the present application. Further, in the present application, even if a voltage higher than the coloring level of the electrochromic layer is applied to finely control the light transmittance as described above, the passivation layer functions as a certain buffer, and thus the deterioration of the electrochromic layer can be prevented.

Advantageous effects

According to one example of the present application, an electrochromic film is provided. The electrochromic film and the electrochromic device including the same have an improved electrochromic rate and excellent durability. Further, when the film or the element according to the present application is used, the optical characteristics can be adjusted stepwise and finely.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a state in which a laminate having light transmission characteristics including a passivation layer of the present application is driven without decreasing durability when a voltage of ± 5V is applied.

Fig. 2 is a diagram relating to the driving characteristics of the device. Specifically, fig. 2(a) is a diagram showing a state in which the charge amount of the device of example 1 changes with increasing cycles, and fig. 2(b) is a diagram showing a state in which the charge amount of the device of comparative example 1 changes with increasing cycles.

Fig. 3 is a diagram relating to the driving characteristics of the device. Specifically, fig. 3(a) is a graph which enlarges and shows the changes in the current and the amount of charge measured in a specific cycle section (unit time, second) according to example 2, and fig. 3(b) is a graph which enlarges and shows the changes in the current and the amount of charge measured in the specific cycle section according to comparative example 2.

Fig. 4 is a graph showing optical characteristics of the electrochromic device of the present application, in which transmittance can be adjusted stepwise according to applied voltage.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, the present application will be described in detail by examples. However, the scope of protection of the present application is not limited by the embodiments to be described below.

Experimental example 1: confirmation of light transmission characteristics of passivation layer containing metal oxynitride

Preparation example 1

Preparation of laminate: ITO having a transmittance of about 90% was formed on one side of glass having a transmittance of about 98%. Thereafter, a layer of oxynitride (moaitiboxny) containing Mo and Ti was formed on the ITO surface (opposite to the glass position) to a thickness of 30nm using sputtering deposition. Specifically, the deposition was performed at a weight% ratio of 1:1 Mo and Ti targets, a deposition power of 100W, and a process pressure of 15 mTorr, and the flow rates of Ar, N2, and O2 were 30sccm, 5sccm, and 5sccm, respectively.

Measurement of physical Properties: the content ratio of each element in the oxynitride layer and the transmittance of the laminate were measured and described in table 1. The elemental content (atomic%) was measured by XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy), and the transmittance was measured using a haze meter (solidspec 3700).

Preparation example 2

A passivation layer was formed in the same manner as in preparation example 1, except that the flow rate of nitrogen gas at the time of deposition was 10sccm and the content ratio was changed as in table 1.

Preparation example 3

A passivation layer was formed in the same manner as in preparation example 1, except that the flow rate of nitrogen gas at the time of deposition was 15sccm and the content ratio was changed as in table 1.

Preparation example 4

A passivation layer was formed in the same manner as in preparation example 1, except that the flow rate of nitrogen gas at the time of deposition was 0sccm and the content ratio was changed as in table 1.

[ Table 1]

As can be inferred from table 1, the oxynitride layers of preparation examples 2 to 4 had very low transmittance, but the oxynitride-containing oxynitride layer of preparation example 1 had a transmittance of about 90%. The oxynitride layer of preparation example 1 having high light-transmitting characteristics is suitable as a member for an electrochromic device.

Experimental example 2: confirmation of electrochromic Properties of the passivation layer

The laminate (glass/ITO/oxynitride (moaitiboxny)) (half cell) prepared in preparation example 1 was immersed in an electrolytic solution containing LiClO4(1M) and Propylene Carbonate (PC), and a coloring voltage of-3V and a decoloring voltage of +3V were alternately applied at 25 ℃ for 50 seconds, respectively. The current, transmittance and electrochromic time thus measured at the time of coloring and decoloring were as described in table 2.

In addition, measurements were made for ± 4V and ± 5V, and the results are described in table 2.

[ Table 2]

As in table 2, it can be confirmed that the laminate of preparation example 1 has electrochromic characteristics (coloring) depending on the applied voltage. On the other hand, fig. 1 is a diagram recording a state in which the laminate of production example 1 was driven (electrochromic) when the driving potential was ± 5V.

Experimental example 3: comparison of drive time (cycle) and available level of electrochromic film and electrochromic device including the same