Substrates electrochromic windows

The anodic polymerization herein discussed must be con-duaed with a noble metal as anode, i.e., a metal that is not oxidatively dissolved in the anodic regime. Pt, Au, stainless steel, carbon, and conductive oxides (ITO, etc.) are examples of commonly used anodes. Interestingly enough, these substrates are common constituents of devices, such as actuators, sensors, solar cells, and electrochromic windows, in which thin films of conjugated polymers are desirable active layers. Last but not least, conjugated polymers can also be electrodeposited onto common metals (iron and copper) for sake of protection against corrosion, provided that the composition of the electrolytic medium is properly controlled. ... 

Flexible electrochromic devices (ECDs) are becoming increasing important for their promising applications in many areas, such as the portable and wearable electronic devices, including smart windows, functional supercapacitors, and flexible displays. Typically, an ECD consists of four parts of substrate, conductive electrode, electrochromic material, and electrolyte. Enormous efforts have been made to improve the flexibility of ECDs including utilizing flexible polymer substrates and conductive materials. 

A convenient electrochromic system for window applications can be obtained by a multilayer structure, consisting of a transparent conducting film (e.g. ITO) deposited into a glass substrate, an electrolyte and a counter-electrode. By changing the applied voltage between the conducting glass and counter-electrode, the transmittance of the system can be varied. 

ITC) deposited on flexible, plastic substrates such as PMMA or polycarbonate was used as the conductive electrode substrate, with the active electrochromic electrodes producible as a roll which could be attached to window panes with common (e.g. cyanoacrylate) adhesives. This device again optionally used a counter electrode which was also electrochromic, with the difference that it could be not only a metal oxide such as WO3, but also, interestingly, an n-type CP, which of course displays electrochromism which is complementary to that of the more common p-type CPs. Thus, as cathode materials, the p-type CPs P(ANi) s, P(Py) s and poly(phenylene vinylene) were listed as usable, with virtually all the common dopants. As anode materials, WO3, M0O3, poly(isothianaphthene), and the -type CPs poly(alkoxy-thienylene vinylene) poly(p-phenylene), poly(phenyl quinoline) and poly(acetylene) were listed as usable. Liquid nonaqueous electrolytes based on common solvents such as DMSO and THF were used. No electrochromic data were however given in the patent or in subsequent publications. 

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