Ultrathin, solution phase electrochromic devices

Abstract

An electrochromic device includes a chamber defined by a substantially transparent first substrate, a second substrate, and a sealing member; wherein: the first substrate comprises a first surface, and a second surface comprising a first substantially transparent, electrically conductive coating and disposed opposite to the first surface; the second substrate comprising a first surface comprising a second substantially transparent, electrically conductive coating, and a second surface disposed opposite to the first surface; the second surface of the first substrate and the first surface of the second substrate being located proximally to each other and having a substantially uniform spacing of distance, d, between them; and 0 μm<d≦65 μm; an electrochromic medium comprising a cathodic component, an anodic component, and a solvent; and insoluble spacing objects within the chamber, the insoluble spacing objects having a largest dimension that is greater than 0, but less than or equal to d.

1 . An electrochromic device comprising:
 a chamber defined by a substantially transparent first substrate, a second substrate, and a sealing member;
 wherein:
 the first substrate comprises a first surface, and a second surface comprising a first substantially transparent, electrically conductive coating and disposed opposite to the first surface; 
 the second substrate comprising a first surface comprising an electrically conductive coating, and a second surface disposed opposite to the first surface; 
 the second surface of the first substrate and the first surface of the second substrate being located proximally to each other and having a substantially uniform spacing of distance, d, between them; and 
 0 μm<d≦65 μm; 
 
   an electrochromic medium comprising a cathodic component, an anodic component, and a solvent; and   insoluble spacing objects within the chamber, the insoluble spacing objects having a largest dimension that is greater than 0, but less than or equal to d.   
     
     
         2 . The electrochromic device of  claim 1 , wherein 5 μm<d≦40 μm. 
     
     
         3 . The electrochromic device of  claim 2 , wherein 10 μm<d≦35 μm. 
     
     
         4 . The electrochromic device of  claim 1 , wherein 30 μm<d≦40 μm. 
     
     
         5 . The electrochromic device of  claim 1 , wherein the insoluble spacing objects comprise a colorless material, a transparent material, or a colorless and transparent material. 
     
     
         6 . The electrochromic device of  claim 1 , wherein the insoluble spacing objects comprise a ceramic or a polymer. 
     
     
         7 . The electrochromic device of  claim 1 , wherein the insoluble spacing objects comprise glass or a metal oxide. 
     
     
         8 . The electrochromic device of  claim 1 , wherein the insoluble spacing objects are substantially transparent to the naked eye. 
     
     
         9 . The electrochromic device of  claim 1  which is a mirror, an architectural window, an aircraft transparency, a lens, or a filter. 
     
     
         10 . The electrochromic device of  claim 1 , wherein the cathodic compound, the anodic compound, or both the cathodic and the anodic compound exhibit a low diffusion coefficient. 
     
     
         11 . The electrochromic device of  claim 10 , wherein low diffusion coefficient is from about 1×10 −6  to about 4×10 −6  cm 2 /second. 
     
     
         12 . The electrochromic device of  claim 11 , wherein low diffusion coefficient is from about 1×10 −6  to about 2×10 −6  cm 2 /second. 
     
     
         13 . The electrochromic device of  claim 1 , wherein the cathodic compound comprises a viologen or a metallocinium. 
     
     
         14 . The electrochromic device of  claim 1 , wherein the anodic compound comprises a metallocene, a 5,10-dihydrophenazine, a phenothiazine, a phenoxazine, a carbazole, a triphenodithiazine, or a triphendioxazine. 
     
     
         15 . The electrochromic device of  claim 1 , wherein the electrochromic medium comprises at least two different anodic components. 
     
     
         16 . The electrochromic device of  claim 1 , wherein a refractive index of the spacing object is closely matched to a refractive index of the electrochromic medium. 
     
     
         17 . The electrochromic device of  claim 16 , wherein a refractive index of the spacing object and a refractive index of the electrochromic medium differ by no more than 20%. 
     
     
         18 . The electrochromic device of  claim 17 , wherein a refractive index of the spacing object and a refractive index of the electrochromic medium differ by less than 5%.