Electrochromic element, materials for use in such element, processes for making such element and such materials and use of such element in an electrochromic glass device

摘要

An electrochromic element (10) useful in an electrochromic glass or mirror device and a process for making such element. The element is a five-layered structure including an electrolyte ion conducting layer (20) interposed between first and second inorganic electrochromic layers (16, 18) which are interposed between a pair of conductive electrodes (12, 14). The second inorganic electrochromic layer (18) is amorphous. The first and second inorganic electrochromic layers are different and are capable of exhibiting color-forming properties complementary to one another upon the incorporation of at least one H, Li, Na, K, Ag, Cu or Tl ion. The electrolyte ion conducting layer may be a copolymer of ethylene oxide, butylene oxide or methyl glycidyl ether, and optionally a small amount of allyl glycidyl ether, along with an ionizable salt, or may be a polyurethane gel formed by reacting the copolymer with triisocyanate, along with an ionizable salt. The second inorganic electrochromic layer comprises a transition element chalconide or halide. The electrochromic element may also comprise a plurality of five-layer structures in tandem, each pair separated by a substrate.