Polyelectrolytes exceeding ITO flexibility in electrochromic devices

• DOI: 10.1039/c4tc01855a
• Publication Date: 2014-10-15T08:32:25Z
• Authors: Yumin Zhu; Michael T. Otley; Xiaozheng Zhang; Mengfang Li; Chris Asemota; Geng Li; Michael A. Invernale; Gregory A. Sotzing
• Keywords: Electrochromic devices; Propylene carbonate

Utilizing the in situ method, we report fabrication of flexible electrochromic (EC) devices a one-step lamination procedure. In this study, device performance was enhanced via use new gel polymer electrolyte (GPE) materials based on poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) derivatives. PEG serves as matrix (ECDs) that provides not only mechanical stability, but also wide potential window and compatibility with variety salts. Poly(ethylene dimethacrylate (PEGDMA) conjunction methyl ether acrylate (PEGMA), containing lithium trifluoromethanesulfonate (LiTRIF) salt propylene carbonate (PC) plasticizer; investigated various parameters, including loading, mono/di-functional ratio, plasticizer to ratio. Optimized systems exceed flexibility indium tin oxide (ITO) coated polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrates their sustainable minimum bending radius curvature, exhibit an ionic conductivity up 1.36 × 10−3 S cm−1, yield photopic contrasts high 53% (without background correction) using poly(2,2-dimethyl-3,4-propylenedioxythiophene) (PProDOT-Me2) standard material. addition conductivity, crosslink density GPEs found have important effect contrast resultant ECDs. Using these results, 110 cm2 patterned EC displays were assembled demonstration real world applications.