KR20230121460A - Hybrid coloring devices and smart wi ndow using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a hybrid photochromic device, which includes: a pair of transparent electrode layers; a liquid crystal layer disposed between the transparent electrode layers; a base layer disposed on one side of the liquid crystal layer; and a plurality of electrochromic layers disposed on one side of the base layer, wherein the electrochromic layer includes at least one electrochromic material. The present invention provides a hybrid photochromic device with significantly reduced light transmittance.

Description

Hybrid color changing device and smart window including the same

The present invention relates to a hybrid color-changing device and a smart window including the same. More specifically, the present invention relates to a hybrid color-changing device including an electrochromic material and a polymer dispersed liquid crystal and a smart window including the same.

Smart windows used in buildings and airplanes mainly use electrochromic elements, but there is a limit to lowering the transmittance in a discolored state, so they do not guarantee complete privacy when used in buildings, and even when used in aircraft, sunlight is completely blocked. There are problems that are difficult to block.

On the other hand, Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal (PDLC) can be manufactured without a polarizer and has a structure in which micron-sized liquid crystal particles are evenly dispersed in a matrix, so it has the advantage of being able to control the transmittance of sunlight by an external voltage. there is.

Although polymer dispersed liquid crystals are used in smart windows, they can maintain a transparent state when voltage is applied, and thus are not preferred for use in buildings or aircraft windows that maintain a transparent state for a long time.

Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop a smart window that is used in buildings, aircraft, etc. and can reduce the amount of electricity used by adjusting the transmittance when a voltage is applied while significantly reducing the transmittance of sunlight.

Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2020-0009786 discloses a smart window film including a reflective film unit and a liquid crystal film unit, but does not disclose a smart window capable of significantly reducing transmittance when voltage is applied.

An object of the present invention is to provide a hybrid color-changing device with significantly reduced light transmittance.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a smart window capable of protecting privacy and blocking sunlight, such as a window of a building or aircraft.

The above and other objects of the present invention can all be achieved by the present invention described below.

1. One aspect of the present invention relates to a hybrid color-changing device.

The hybrid color-changing device includes a pair of transparent electrode layers;

a liquid crystal layer disposed between the transparent electrode layers;

a substrate layer disposed on one side of the liquid crystal layer; and

and a plurality of electrochromic layers disposed on one surface of the base layer, wherein the electrochromic layer includes at least one electrochromic material.

2. In the first embodiment, the liquid crystal layer may include a reverse polymer dispersed liquid crystal.

3. In the embodiment 1 or 2, the electrochromic layer is poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) [poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)], poly(3,4-propylenedioxythiophene [poly( 3,4-propylenedioxythiophene)] or salts thereof.

4. Another aspect of the present invention relates to a hybrid color-changing device having reduced light transmittance.

The hybrid color-changing element may include a first protective layer;

a first transparent electrode layer disposed on one surface of the first protective layer;

a liquid crystal layer in which liquid crystal molecules are aligned and discolored when a voltage is applied to the first transparent electrode layer disposed on one surface of the first transparent electrode layer;

a second transparent electrode layer disposed on one surface of the liquid crystal layer;

a base layer disposed on one surface of the second transparent electrode layer;

a third transparent electrode layer disposed on one surface of the substrate layer;

an ion storage layer disposed on one side of the third transparent electrode layer;

an electrolyte layer disposed on one surface of the ion storage layer;

a polymer layer disposed on one surface of the electrolyte layer, including an electrochromic polymer, and discolored when a voltage is applied to the third transparent electrode layer;

a fourth transparent electrode layer disposed on one side of the polymer layer; and

and a second protective layer disposed on one surface of the fourth transparent electrode layer.

5. In the above 4 embodiments, the first protective layer and the second protective layer may be glass or PET.

6. In the 4th or 5th embodiment, the first to fourth transparent electrode layers may be ITO or FTO coated on a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate.

7. In the sixth embodiment, the first and fourth transparent electrode layers may include working electrodes, and the second and third transparent electrode layers may include counter electrodes.

8. In the specific example of any one of 4 to 7 above, the liquid crystal molecule may be a reverse polymer dispersed liquid crystal.

9. In any one embodiment of 4 to 8, the electrochromic polymer is poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) [poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)], poly(3,4-propylenedioxythiophene) It may be an opene [poly(3,4-propylenedioxythiophene)] or a salt thereof.

10. In any one of the embodiments 4 to 9 above, the electrolyte layer may include a liquid electrolyte.

11. In the tenth embodiment, the liquid electrolyte may include a lithium composite salt.

12. In any one of the embodiments 4 to 9 above, the electrolyte layer may include a UV curable polymer gel.

13. In any one of the embodiments 4 to 11, the ion storage layer may include Prussian Blue.

14. Another aspect of the present invention relates to a smart window including the hybrid color changing device.

The hybrid color-changing device according to the present invention simultaneously exhibits a fast discoloration time of an electrochromic device and a very low transmittance of a polymer dispersed liquid crystal, so that it can be used for smart windows that require privacy protection and high sunlight blocking, such as buildings or aircraft. The hybrid color-changing element has a double color-changing layer and can exhibit very low transmittance, and is discolored when voltage is applied, and can be discolored only when light blocking is required, thereby reducing power consumption to a minimum.

1 is a schematic diagram of a hybrid color-changing device according to one embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a schematic diagram of a hybrid color-changing device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the following drawings are only provided to aid understanding of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited by the drawings. In addition, since the shape, size, ratio, angle, number, etc. disclosed in the drawings are exemplary, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated details.

Like reference numbers designate like elements throughout the specification. In addition, in describing the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of related known technologies may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention, the detailed description will be omitted.

When 'includes', 'has', 'consists of', etc. mentioned in this specification is used, other parts may be added unless 'only' is used. In the case where a component is expressed in the singular, the case including the plural is included unless otherwise explicitly stated.

In interpreting the components, even if there is no separate explicit description, it is interpreted as including the error range.

When the positional relationship of two parts is described by 'over', 'over', 'under', 'beside', etc., unless 'immediately' or 'directly' is used, there is a One or more other parts may be located.

Positional relationships such as 'top', 'top', 'bottom', and 'bottom' are described based on the drawings, and do not represent absolute positional relationships. That is, the positions of 'upper' and 'lower' or 'upper surface' and 'lower surface' may be changed depending on the observation position.

In this specification, "a to b" representing a numerical range is defined as "≥a and ≤b".

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

1 is a schematic diagram of a hybrid color-changing device according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a hybrid color-changing device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1 , the hybrid color-changing device 100 includes a pair of transparent electrode layers 10a and 10b, a liquid crystal layer 20, a base layer 30, and an electrochromic layer 40.

A voltage may be applied to the pair of transparent electrode layers 10a and 10b to oxidize or reduce the color of the liquid crystal layer and the electrochromic layer 40 disposed between the transparent electrode layers.

The transparent electrode layers 10a and 10b do not affect the transmittance of the hybrid color-changing element 100, supply electric charge to the liquid crystal layer 20 and the electrochromic layer 40, and supply the liquid crystal layer 20 and the electrochromic layer. It plays a role in supporting (40).

The liquid crystal layer 20 may include a polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC), and more specifically, a reverse polymer dispersed liquid crystal.

When the liquid crystal layer 20 includes the reverse polymer dispersed liquid crystal, the light transmittance may be reduced due to discoloration when a voltage is applied between the transparent electrode layers 10a and 10b.

The base layer 30 can fix the liquid crystal layer 20 and the electrochromic layer 40, and ions or electrons can move, and specifically, the base layer 30 can be provided with a solid electrolyte. .

The electrochromic layer 40 may include at least one electrochromic material.

The electrochromic material is an organic material including a polythiophene derivative or a viologen derivative, TiO ₂ , Nb ₂ O ₅ , MoO ₃ , Ta ₂ O ₅ , WO ₃ , V ₂ O ₅ , CrO ₃ , Li _Х CoO ₂ , NiO _Х , LiNiO _Х , and Rh ₂ O ₃ may include any one or more inorganic materials, and may be reduced and colored when voltage is applied to the transparent electrode layers 10a and 10b. It is not limited as long as it is present, but specifically poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) [poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)], poly(3,4-propylenedioxythiophene [poly(3,4-propylenedioxythiophene)] or salts thereof are preferred.

The hybrid color-changing element 100 can adjust light transmittance by applying voltage, and is particularly effective for use as a window for buildings or aircraft because it is discolored when voltage is applied and exhibits very low light transmittance.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a hybrid color-changing device 1000 having reduced light transmittance.

Referring to FIG. 2, the hybrid color-changing device 1000 having reduced light transmittance includes a first protective layer 100a, a first transparent electrode layer 200a, a liquid crystal layer 300, a second transparent electrode layer 200b, and a base material. layer 400, a third transparent electrode layer 500a, an ion storage layer 600, an electrolyte layer 700, a polymer layer 800, a fourth transparent electrode layer 500b, and a second protective layer 100b. do.

The first protective layer 100a and the second protective layer 100b may be glass or PET.

The first protective layer 100a and the second protective layer 100b are provided to effectively protect each layer disposed between the first protective layer 100a and the second protective layer 100b from external impact and contamination. can do.

When the first protective layer 100a and the second protective layer 100b are made of glass or PET, it is easy to adjust the thickness, and since the thickness can be increased to exhibit strength equivalent to that of tempered glass, the hybrid discoloration device ( 1000) is preferable because it can be used for buildings and aircraft windows.

The first transparent electrode layer 200a is disposed on one surface of the first protective layer 100a.

The first transparent electrode layer 200a and the second transparent electrode layer 200b may be formed by coating polyethylene terephthalate (PET) with ITO or FTO.

In one embodiment, the first to fourth transparent electrode layers 200a, 200b, 500a, and 500b may be provided with the same member.

When the first transparent electrode layer 200a is formed by coating PET with ITO or FTO, the transmittance is high and thus the transmittance of the hybrid color-changing element 1000 is not affected.

The first transparent electrode layer 200a and the second transparent electrode layer 200b may be manufactured in the form of a thin film by sputtering or printing ITO or FTO, and are electrically connected to the first transparent electrode layer 200a through an external circuit. A voltage may be formed between the second transparent electrode layers 200b, and whether or not the voltage is applied may be differently controlled. For example, a voltage is formed between the first transparent electrode layer 200a and the second transparent electrode layer 200b, and no voltage is applied between the third transparent electrode layer 500a and the fourth transparent electrode layer 500b, thereby discoloration. The transmittance can be adjusted step by step by adjusting the layer to be.

The first transparent electrode layer 200a may include a working electrode, and the second transparent electrode layer 200b may include a counter electrode.

The first transparent electrode layer 200a and the second transparent electrode layer 200b include a working electrode and a counter electrode so that charges can move.

In the liquid crystal layer 300, when a voltage is applied to the first transparent electrode layer 200a disposed on one surface of the first transparent electrode layer 200a, the liquid crystal molecules are arranged and discolored.

The liquid crystal layer 300 is disposed and fixed between the first transparent electrode layer 200a and the second transparent electrode layer 200b, and changes color when a voltage is applied to the first transparent electrode layer 200a and the second transparent electrode layer 200b. It can be.

Specifically, the liquid crystal layer 300 may include a reverse polymer dispersed liquid crystal (Reverse Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal), preferably lauryl acrylate, lauryl methacrylate, hydroxy Hydroxypropyl methacrylate, 3,5,5-trimethylhexyl acrylate, Glycidyl methacrylate, Tetrahydrofurfuryl acrylate ), tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate, benzyl methacrylate, and cyclohexyl methacrylate.

The monomers of this kind have high reactivity, so that phase separation-induced polymerization is easy, and when irradiated with UV light, the phase is transformed in the process of forming the monomer into a polymer, so that phase separation between the liquid crystal and the polymer phase can be effectively induced.

A reverse polymer-dispersed liquid crystal may be formed by polymerization of the above-mentioned monomers, and when the above-mentioned monomers form a reverse polymer-dispersed liquid crystal and are included in the liquid crystal layer 300, an electric compound composed of a viologen compound or an inorganic material may be formed. Since the light transmittance can be much lower than that of the electrochromic layer including the color-changing material, the hybrid color-changing device 1000 can be effectively used for windows requiring privacy protection.

When the liquid crystal layer 300 includes a reverse polymer dispersed liquid crystal, it may change color when a voltage is applied to the first transparent electrode layer 200a and the second transparent electrode layer 200b, and the first to fourth transparent electrode layers 200b may be discolored. By simultaneously applying a voltage to the electrode layers 200a, 200b, 500a, and 500b, the color of the hybrid color-changing element 1000 can be changed, and the total light transmittance can be effectively reduced when the voltage is applied.

The base layer 400 is disposed on one surface of the second transparent electrode layer 200b.

The base layer 400 may be disposed between the second transparent electrode layer 200b and the third transparent electrode layer 500a.

The base layer 400 is bonded to the second transparent electrode layer 200b and the third transparent electrode layer 500a to support the first transparent electrode layer 200a, the liquid crystal layer 300, and the second transparent electrode layer 200b. And, the third transparent electrode layer 500a, the ion storage layer 600, the electrolyte layer 700, the polymer layer 800, and the fourth transparent electrode layer 500b can be firmly supported.

The base layer 400 is made of polyester, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyphenylenesulfide (PPS), polystyrene, polyamide, polycarbonate, Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), and polyethylene naphthalate (polyethylenenaphthalate; PEN) may be made of one or more types of transparent polymers selected from, specifically, polyethylene terephthalate (polyethylene terephthalate; PET) is more preferable do.

The third transparent electrode layer 500a is disposed on one surface of the base layer 400 .

The third transparent electrode layer 500a is the same member as the first transparent electrode layer 200a and the second transparent electrode layer 200b, and may include a counter electrode.

The ion storage layer 600 is disposed on one surface of the third transparent electrode layer 500a.

The ion storage layer 600 may receive or store charges required for the redox reaction of the polymer layer 800 .

The ion storage layer 600 may retain discoloration in a state in which voltage is not applied by accommodating electrolyte ions generated in the electrolyte layer 700 .

In one embodiment, the ion storage layer 600 may include Prussian Blue.

Since the ion storage layer 600 contains Prussian blue, it can maintain a constant discoloration state even when voltage is not continuously applied between the third transparent electrode layer 500a and the fourth transparent electrode layer 500b. , The hybrid color-changing element 1000 can produce various colors depending on whether or not voltage is applied.

The electrolyte layer 700 is disposed on one surface of the ion storage layer 600 .

In one embodiment, the electrolyte layer 700 may include a liquid electrolyte.

The liquid electrolyte may include poly(propylene carbonate) [Poly(propylene carbonate)] or poly(vinylidene fluoride-cohexafluoropropylene) [(poly(vinylidene fluoride-cohexafluoropropylene); PVDF-co-HFP) there is.

The liquid electrolyte of this type contains a lithium composite salt and is easy to construct the electrolyte layer 700, and has a very high electrolyte ion transport ability, so that the discoloration effect of the ion storage layer 600 can be increased.

The lithium complex salt is lithium percolate (LiClO ₄ ), lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF ₆ ), and lithium bis (trifluoromethanesulfonyl) imide [lithium bis (trifluoromethanesulfonyl) imide; LiTFSI] may be included.

In the case of including the above type of lithium composite salt, the movement of lithium ions (Li ⁺ ) is free and ion conductivity can be increased, so that the discoloration time and discoloration efficiency of the ion storage layer 600 can be effectively increased.

In one embodiment, the electrolyte layer 700 may include a UV curable polymer gel.

Specifically, the UV curable polymer gel is polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyethylene oxide (PEO), and polyethylene glycol ( One or more polymers of polyethylene glycol; PEG) may be used.

When the polymer layer 700 uses UV-curable polymer gel as an electrolyte for the lithium complex salt, it is easy to handle in the process compared to the liquid electrolyte, reducing manufacturing man-hours, and mechanical, thermal, environmental, and electrochemical stability of the final hybrid discoloration device. It is more preferable because it can increase.

The polymer layer 800 is disposed on one surface of the electrolyte layer 700 and includes an electrochromic polymer, and is discolored when a voltage is applied to the third transparent electrode layer 500a.

The electrochromic polymer may be poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene), poly(3,4-propylenedioxythiophene), or any of these may be salt.

Since the electrochromic polymer of the above type may exhibit a faster discoloration time than inorganic-based electrochromic materials, the discoloration time of the hybrid discoloration device 1000 may be more effectively reduced.

Specifically, the polymer layer 800 is preferably PEDOT:PSS [poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate)].

When the polymer layer 800 is provided with PEDOT:PSS, thermal stability is increased, and the polymer layer 800 can be manufactured by sputtering, deposition, dip coating, spin coating, roll coating, and spray coating. It is simple to reduce manufacturing man-hours and greatly increase manufacturing efficiency.

The polymer layer 800 may be discolored when a voltage is applied to the third transparent electrode layer 500a and the fourth transparent electrode layer 500b, thereby reducing light transmittance.

The fourth transparent electrode layer 500b is disposed on one surface of the polymer layer 800 .

The fourth transparent electrode layer 500b may include a working electrode, and the third transparent electrode layer 500a may include a counter electrode.

The fourth transparent electrode layer 500b includes a full electrode, and the third transparent electrode layer 500a includes a counter electrode so that charges can move when voltage is applied, and the polymer layer 800 can be reduced and discolored. .

The second protective layer 100b is disposed on one surface of the fourth transparent electrode layer 500b.

The second protective layer 100b is the same member as the first protective layer 100a, and includes the second protective layer 100b, the third transparent electrode layer 500a, the ion storage layer 600, and the electrolyte. The layer 700, the polymer layer 800, and the fourth transparent electrode layer 500b can be protected from external impact and contamination.

The hybrid color-changing element 1000 is a double electrochromic layer including an electrochromic liquid crystal layer 300 and a polymer layer 800, and can greatly reduce light transmittance. In particular, when a voltage is applied, the liquid crystal layer 300 ) and the polymer layer 800 can be discolored at the same time, discoloration is possible only when it is necessary to block sunlight, thereby greatly increasing the efficiency of electricity use.

The hybrid color-changing device 1000 includes a first transparent electrode layer 200a, a second transparent electrode layer 200b, a third transparent electrode layer 500a, and a second transparent electrode layer 200a, which induce electrochromic discoloration of the liquid crystal layer 300 and the polymer layer 800. Since the transparent electrode layer 500b is provided, and whether or not voltage is applied to each electrode layer and the voltage level can be separately adjusted, the light transmittance can be effectively controlled.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a smart window including the hybrid color-changing device 1000 .

The smart window includes the hybrid color-changing element 1000 and has very low light transmittance, so when used in a building or aircraft window requiring privacy protection, user convenience can be increased, and transmittance is reduced when voltage is not applied. Since the light transmittance is high and the transmittance can be reduced only when it is necessary to block sunlight, the use efficiency of the smart window can be greatly increased.

Specifically, the smart window may have a light transmittance of 1 to 65% at a wavelength of 620 nm depending on whether voltage is applied.

So far, the present invention has been looked at mainly through embodiments. Those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains will be able to understand that the present invention may be implemented in a modified form without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention. Therefore, the disclosed embodiments should be considered from an illustrative rather than a limiting point of view. The scope of the present invention is shown in the claims rather than the foregoing description, and all differences within the equivalent scope will be construed as being included in the present invention.

100, 1000: hybrid color change element
10a: transparent electrode layer 10b: transparent electrode layer
20: liquid crystal layer 30: substrate layer
40: electrochromic layer 100a: first protective layer
100b: second protective layer 200a: first transparent electrode layer
200b: second transparent electrode layer 300: liquid crystal layer
400: base layer 500a: third transparent electrode layer
500b: fourth transparent electrode layer 600: ion storage layer
700: electrolyte layer 800: polymer layer

Claims (14)

a pair of transparent electrode layers;
a liquid crystal layer disposed between the transparent electrode layers;
a substrate layer disposed on one surface of the liquid crystal layer; and
Including; a plurality of electrochromic layers disposed on one side of the substrate layer,
Wherein the electrochromic layer includes at least one electrochromic material.
The hybrid color-changing device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid crystal layer includes a reverse polymer dispersed liquid crystal.
The method of claim 1, wherein the electrochromic layer is poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) [poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)], poly(3,4-propylenedioxythiophene [poly(3,4- propylenedioxythiophene)] or a hybrid color-changing color changer comprising a salt thereof.
a first protective layer;
a first transparent electrode layer disposed on one surface of the first protective layer;
a liquid crystal layer in which liquid crystal molecules are aligned and discolored when a voltage is applied to the first transparent electrode layer disposed on one surface of the first transparent electrode layer;
a second transparent electrode layer disposed on one surface of the liquid crystal layer;
a base layer disposed on one surface of the second transparent electrode layer;
a third transparent electrode layer disposed on one surface of the substrate layer;
an ion storage layer disposed on one side of the third transparent electrode layer;
an electrolyte layer disposed on one surface of the ion storage layer;
a polymer layer disposed on one surface of the electrolyte layer, including an electrochromic polymer, and discolored when a voltage is applied to the third transparent electrode layer;
a fourth transparent electrode layer disposed on one side of the polymer layer; and
A hybrid color-changing element comprising a; second protective layer disposed on one surface of the fourth transparent electrode layer.
The hybrid color-changing device according to claim 4, wherein the first protective layer and the second protective layer are made of glass or PET.
The hybrid color-changing device according to claim 4, wherein the first to fourth transparent electrode layers are coated with ITO or FTO on a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate.
[Claim 7] The hybrid discoloration device according to claim 6, wherein the first and fourth transparent electrode layers include working electrodes, and the second and third transparent electrode layers include counter electrodes.
The hybrid color-changing device according to claim 4, wherein the liquid crystal molecules are reverse polymer dispersed liquid crystals.
The method of claim 4, wherein the electrochromic polymer is poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) [poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)], poly(3,4-propylenedioxythiophene [poly(3,4-propylenedioxythiophene) )] or salts thereof, characterized in that, a hybrid color-changing element. The hybrid color-changing device of claim 4, wherein the electrolyte layer includes a liquid electrolyte.
11. The hybrid color-changing device of claim 10, wherein the liquid electrolyte includes a lithium complex salt.
The hybrid color-changing device of claim 4, wherein the electrolyte layer includes a UV curable polymer gel.
The hybrid color-changing device according to claim 4, wherein the ion storage layer includes Prussian Blue.
A smart window comprising the hybrid color-changing device of any one of claims 1 to 13.

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