Electrochromic inks

An electrochromic polymer ink contains a colloidal electrochromic polymer pigment dissolved in an aqueous solvent (23,24). 

Earlier described electrochromic inks contain intrinsically conductive polymers with highly conjugated chains dissolved in a carrier. The carriers of these inks are often toxic since organic solvents such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, xylene, or m-cresolhave been used. 

composite nanoparticles have been described that are composed from a core and an intrinsically conductive polymer at the surface of the core (25). 

Through the blending of different types of nanocomposite particles, as well as through control of the relative amounts of the different electrochromic materials combined in a single ink, the properties of the inks can be easily tuned to exhibit the desired electrochromic effect. 

For example, PANI-siHca particles have been synthesized using an aqueous solution of 20-30 nm sized silica sol particles and p-tolu-ene sulfonic acid with ammonium peroxydisulfate as initiator. To this solution, aniline is injected and allowed to react (25). 

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Electrochemical devices such as transistors [13-15] and diodes [16] have been demonstrated using printing techniques. These devices are quite slow ( 0.1 to 10 Hz), but may be acceptable for use in conjunction with printed electrochromic displays—the key advantage is that the devices and the display elements are produced simultaneously using the same process steps. Similarly, passive components and resistor-capacitor circuits have been demonstrated with ink-jet printing [16]. This last example even demonstrated the use of standard staples for interconnecting stacked layers. 

Figure 6.2 shows the spectroelectrochemical characterization of an electrochromic device formed with a PANI-based ink. 

Major Applications Electrochromic materials, sol-gel coatings,i° display device,n inks, 12 gas detection apparatus, nematocides, hair dyes,i5 diapers,i food storage,status assessment in breast cancer,is detecting carbohydrates,bacteria,2o diagnosing cervical disease, wound dressing... 

Major Applications Nanoparticles,n liquid crystal displays,chemical mechanical polishing, bottom antireflective coatings, electrochromic materials,i5 inks,i6 rubber,hair dyes, cosmetics,treatment of virus skin infection o... 

Major Applications Photoelectrochemical cells, electrochromic devices, display device, inks, redox indicator, oil product detection,io dye laser,n chemiluminescence detection, 12 cosmetics,i microbial fuel cells, " cytochrome P 450 assay, multiplex assays, analyzing cells, semen quality, testing prenatal abnormalities, detecting nucleic acids, " antitumor agent ... 

A physical material containing a heat-sensitive ink which changes colour as it changes temperature. (See also Chromogenic, Electrochromic Photochromic, and Thermotropic)... 

Other successful electrochromic devices have been realized by Kelly et al. using polyaniline-impregnated fibres [79]. In situ electrochemical polymerization of polyaniline is used to bind poly aniline to a PET or viscose spacer fabric. The fabric is then impregnated with an electrolyte and sandwiched between two electrodes. For the bottom electrode, carbon black or silver ink can be printed directly on the fabric. Polyaniline colour changes from green to blue through oxidation—reduction processes. However, the lifetime of this structure is also short and does not exceed dozens of oxidation—reduction cycles. 

Indnstrial Applications Inks " electrochromic devices " solar energy ... 

Industrial Applications Electrochromic display devices inks paints photographic materials detergents textiles wood entertainment products Safety/Toxicity Acute toxicity carcinogenicity environmental toxicity genotoxicity mutagenicity ... 

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