US5016991A
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Flexible, solid electrolyte useful in electrochromic devices
Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies Inc
•
Filing: 1989-03-27
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Granted: 1991-05-21
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Expires: 2009-03-27
Abstract
Abstract This invention is directed to a flexible, solid electrolyte useful in an electrochromic device. The electrolyte comprises an interpenetrating polymer network of a alkali metal doped, sol-gel component and an epoxy-amine component.
Inventors
- 👤 Claude F. Mason
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 09:10
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/15; G02F1/1514; G02F1/1523; G02F1/1525; H; H01; H01B; H01B1/00; H01B1/06; H01B1/12; H01B1/122; H01M; H01M6/00; H01M6/14; H01M6/18; H01M6/181; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S359/00; Y10S359/90
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 43
Claim 1
Independent Claim
83 words
A flexible, solid electrolyte comprising an interpenetrating polymer network of: (A) alkali metal doped, sol-gel component and (B) epoxy-amine component, said alkali metal doped, sol-gel component (A) being the reaction product of materials comprising: (i) metal oxide precursor containing hydrolyzable alkoxy groups, (ii) polyether having at least one hydroxyl group per molecule, and (iii) alkali metal salt, and said epoxy-amine component (B) being the reaction product of materials comprising: (i) polyepoxide and (ii) polyamine crosslinking agent containing at least two reactive amine groups.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
83 words
A flexible, solid electrolyte comprising an interpenetrating polymer network of: (A) alkali metal doped, sol-gel component and (B) epoxy-amine component, said alkali metal doped, sol-gel component (A) being the reaction product of materials comprising: (i) metal oxide precursor containing hydrolyzable alkoxy groups, (ii) polyether having at least one hydroxyl group per molecule, and (iii) alkali metal salt, and said epoxy-amine component (B) being the reaction product of materials comprising: (i) polyepoxide and (ii) polyamine crosslinking agent containing at least two reactive amine groups.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The flexible, solid electrolyte according to claim 1, wherein said metal oxide precursor is selected from tetramethyl orthosilicate, aluminum ethoxide and titanium isopropylate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The flexible, solid electrolyte according to claim 1, wherein said polyether having at least one hydroxyl group per molecule is selected from polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, and polyethylene glycol monomethylether.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The flexible, solid electrolyte according to claim 1, wherein said alkali metal salt is selected from salts of lithium and sodium.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
100 words
A colorless, transparent, flexible solid electrolyte adapted for use in an electrochromic device, said electrolyte comprising an interpenetrating polymer network of: (A) alkali metal doped, sol-gel component and (B) epoxy-amine component, said alkali metal doped, sol-gel component (A) being the reaction product of materials comprising: (i) metal oxide precursor containing hydrolyzable alkoxy groups, (ii) polyether having at least one hydroxyl group per molecule, and (iii) alkali metal salt, said epoxy-amine component (B) being the reaction product of materials comprising: (i) aliphatic diepoxide containing 10 or less carbon atoms and (ii) polyamine crosslinking agent containing at least two reactive amine groups.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
100 words
A colorless, transparent, flexible solid electrolyte adapted for use in an electrochromic device, said electrolyte comprising an interpenetrating polymer network of: (A) alkali metal doped, sol-gel component and (B) epoxy-amine component, said alkali metal doped, sol-gel component (A) being the reaction product of materials comprising: (i) metal oxide precursor containing hydrolyzable alkoxy groups, (ii) polyether having at least one hydroxyl group per molecule, and (iii) alkali metal salt, said epoxy-amine component (B) being the reaction product of materials comprising: (i) aliphatic diepoxide containing 10 or less carbon atoms and (ii) polyamine crosslinking agent containing at least two reactive amine groups.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The flexible, solid electrolyte according to claim 5, wherein said metal oxide precursor is selected from tetramethyl orthosilicate, aluminum ethoxide and titanium isopropylate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The flexible, solid electrolyte according to claim 5, wherein said polyether having at least one hydroxyl group per molecule is selected from polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, and polyethylene glycol monomethylether.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The flexible, solid electrolyte according to claim 5, wherein said alkali metal salt is selected from salts of lithium and sodium.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
136 words
A method for making a flexible solid electrolyte comprising an interpenetrating polymer network of: (A) alkali metal doped, sol-gel component and (B) epoxy-amine component, said method comprising: combining (i) metal oxide precursor containing hydrolyzable alkoxy groups, (ii) polyether having at least one hydroxyl group per molecule, (iii) alkali metal salt, and, optionally, (iv) solvent to form a reaction mixture; mixing said reaction mixture for a time at a temperature sufficient to react at least 50% of said hydrolyzable alkoxy groups present on said metal oxide precursor and form a viscous mixture; mixing into the viscous mixture (i) polyepoxide and (ii) polyamine crosslinking agent containing at least two reactive amine groups, and subjecting said viscous mixture comprising said polyepoxide and said polyamine crosslinking agent to a temperature sufficient to cure it and form said flexible solid electrolyte.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
136 words
A method for making a flexible solid electrolyte comprising an interpenetrating polymer network of: (A) alkali metal doped, sol-gel component and (B) epoxy-amine component, said method comprising: combining (i) metal oxide precursor containing hydrolyzable alkoxy groups, (ii) polyether having at least one hydroxyl group per molecule, (iii) alkali metal salt, and, optionally, (iv) solvent to form a reaction mixture; mixing said reaction mixture for a time at a temperature sufficient to react at least 50% of said hydrolyzable alkoxy groups present on said metal oxide precursor and form a viscous mixture; mixing into the viscous mixture (i) polyepoxide and (ii) polyamine crosslinking agent containing at least two reactive amine groups, and subjecting said viscous mixture comprising said polyepoxide and said polyamine crosslinking agent to a temperature sufficient to cure it and form said flexible solid electrolyte.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 9, which further comprises removing said solvent from said viscous mixture prior to curing of said viscous mixture comprising said polyepoxide and said polyamine crosslinking agent.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method according to claim 9, which further comprises providing said viscous mixture comprising said polyepoxide and said polyamine crosslinking agent, prior to curing, on a support.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 9, wherein said component (A) and said component (B) are employed in a volume ratio of about 2:1.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method according to claim 9, wherein said metal oxide precursor (i) and said polyether (ii) are combined in said reaction mixture in a volume ratio between about 2:1 and about 1:4.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method according to claim 11, wherein said polyepoxide is a diepoxide.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 14, wherein said diepoxide is selected from aliphatic diepoxides containing 14 or less carbon atoms.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method according to claim 14, wherein said diepoxide is selected from aliphatic diepoxides containing 14 or less carbon atoms and said support is a component of an electrochromic device.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 16, wherein said support is selected from a layer of electrochromic material and a layer of electrode material.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 9, wherein said polyether having at least one hydroxyl group per molecule is selected from polyethylene oxides and polypropylene oxides.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method according to claim 9, wherein said reaction mixture comprises solvent.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 19, wherein the pH of said reaction mixture is adjusted to a pH between about 2 and about 4 by means of an acid.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 20, wherein said solvent comprises alcohol and said reaction mixture is adjusted by means of nitric acid to a pH between about 2 and about 4.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
12 words
A flexible solid electrolyte made according to the method of claim 9.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
160 words
A method for making a colorless, transparent, flexible solid electrolyte adapted for use in an electrochromic device, said electrolyte comprising an interpenetrating polymer network of: (A) alkali metal doped, sol-gel component and (B) epoxy-amine component, said method comprising: combining materials comprising (i) metal oxide precursor containing hydrolyzable alkoxy groups, (ii) polyether having at least one hydroxyl group per molecule, (iii) alkali metal salt, and, optionally, (iv) solvent to form a reaction mixture; mixing said reaction mixture for a time at a temperature sufficient to react at least 50% of said hydrolyzable alkoxy groups present on said metal oxide precursor and form a viscous mixture; mixing into said viscous mixture materials comprising (i) aliphatic diepoxide containing 10 or less carbon atoms and (ii) polyamine crosslinking agent containing at least two reactive amine groups, and subjecting said viscous mixture comprising said diepoxide and said polyamine crosslinking agent to a temperature sufficient to cure it and form said colorless, transparent, flexible solid electrolyte.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
160 words
A method for making a colorless, transparent, flexible solid electrolyte adapted for use in an electrochromic device, said electrolyte comprising an interpenetrating polymer network of: (A) alkali metal doped, sol-gel component and (B) epoxy-amine component, said method comprising: combining materials comprising (i) metal oxide precursor containing hydrolyzable alkoxy groups, (ii) polyether having at least one hydroxyl group per molecule, (iii) alkali metal salt, and, optionally, (iv) solvent to form a reaction mixture; mixing said reaction mixture for a time at a temperature sufficient to react at least 50% of said hydrolyzable alkoxy groups present on said metal oxide precursor and form a viscous mixture; mixing into said viscous mixture materials comprising (i) aliphatic diepoxide containing 10 or less carbon atoms and (ii) polyamine crosslinking agent containing at least two reactive amine groups, and subjecting said viscous mixture comprising said diepoxide and said polyamine crosslinking agent to a temperature sufficient to cure it and form said colorless, transparent, flexible solid electrolyte.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method according to claim 23, which further comprises removing said solvent from the viscous mixture prior to curing said viscous mixture comprising said diepoxide and said polyamine crosslinking agent.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method according to claim 23, which further comprises providing said viscous mixture comprising said diepoxide and said polyamine crosslinking agent, prior to curing, on a support.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 25, wherein said support is a component of an electrochromic device.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 26, wherein said support is selected from a layer of electrochromic material and a layer of electrode material.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 23, wherein said diepoxide contains between 9 and 11 carbon atoms.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method according to claim 23, wherein said reaction mixture contains solvent.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 23, wherein the pH of said reaction mixture is adjusted to a pH between about 2 and about 4 by means of an acid.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 30, wherein said solvent comprises alcohol and said reaction mixture is adjusted by means of nitric acid to a pH between about 2 and about 4.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method according to claim 23, wherein said reaction mixture is mixed for a time at a temperature sufficient to react at least about 100% of said hydrolyzable alkoxy groups present on said metal oxide precursor.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 23, wherein said component (A) and said component (B) are employed in a volume ratio of about 2:1.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method according to claim 23, wherein said metal oxide precursor (i) and said polyether (ii) are combined in said reaction mixture in a volume ratio between about 2:1 and about 1:4.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
12 words
A flexible solid electrolyte made according to the method of claim 23.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
154 words
A method for making a colorless, transparent, flexible solid electrolyte adapted for use in an electrochromic device, said electrolyte comprising an interpenetrating polymer network of: (A) alkali metal doped, sol-gel component and (B) epoxy-amine component, said method comprising: combining materials comprising (i) tetramethyl orthosilicate, (ii) tetra ethylene glycol, (iii) a lithium salt, and (iv) solvent comprising methyl alcohol to form a reaction mixture; mixing said reaction mixture for a time at a temperature sufficient to react at least 50% of said alkoxy groups present on said silicate and form a viscous mixture; mixing into the substantially solventless viscous mixture materials comprising (i) aliphatic diepoxide containing between about 9 and 11 carbon atoms and (ii) polyamine crosslinking agent containing at least two reactive amine groups, and subjecting said substantially solventless viscous mixture comprising said diepoxide and said polyamine crosslinking agent to a temperature sufficient to cure it and form said colorless, transparent, flexible solid electrolyte.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
154 words
A method for making a colorless, transparent, flexible solid electrolyte adapted for use in an electrochromic device, said electrolyte comprising an interpenetrating polymer network of: (A) alkali metal doped, sol-gel component and (B) epoxy-amine component, said method comprising: combining materials comprising (i) tetramethyl orthosilicate, (ii) tetra ethylene glycol, (iii) a lithium salt, and (iv) solvent comprising methyl alcohol to form a reaction mixture; mixing said reaction mixture for a time at a temperature sufficient to react at least 50% of said alkoxy groups present on said silicate and form a viscous mixture; mixing into the substantially solventless viscous mixture materials comprising (i) aliphatic diepoxide containing between about 9 and 11 carbon atoms and (ii) polyamine crosslinking agent containing at least two reactive amine groups, and subjecting said substantially solventless viscous mixture comprising said diepoxide and said polyamine crosslinking agent to a temperature sufficient to cure it and form said colorless, transparent, flexible solid electrolyte.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
153 words
An electrochromic device comprising two substrates and therebetween: one electrode layer; an electrochromic layer; and another electrode layer, at least one of said one electrode layer and said other electrode layer being transparent and each electrode layer being in contact with a respective one of said substrates, an ion conductive layer to communicate ions to and from said electrochromic layer upon application of a voltage across said electrode layers, wherein said ion conductive layer comprises an interpenetrating polymer network of: (A) alkali metal doped, sol-gel component and (B) epoxy-amine component, said alkali metal doped, sol-gel component (A) being the reaction product of materials comprising: (i) metal oxide precursor containing hydrolyzable alkoxy groups, (ii) polyether having at least one hydroxyl group per molecule, and (iii) alkali metal salt, and said epoxy-amine component (B) being the reaction product of materials comprising: (i) polyepoxide and (ii) polyamine crosslinking agent containing at least two reactive amine groups.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
153 words
An electrochromic device comprising two substrates and therebetween: one electrode layer; an electrochromic layer; and another electrode layer, at least one of said one electrode layer and said other electrode layer being transparent and each electrode layer being in contact with a respective one of said substrates, an ion conductive layer to communicate ions to and from said electrochromic layer upon application of a voltage across said electrode layers, wherein said ion conductive layer comprises an interpenetrating polymer network of: (A) alkali metal doped, sol-gel component and (B) epoxy-amine component, said alkali metal doped, sol-gel component (A) being the reaction product of materials comprising: (i) metal oxide precursor containing hydrolyzable alkoxy groups, (ii) polyether having at least one hydroxyl group per molecule, and (iii) alkali metal salt, and said epoxy-amine component (B) being the reaction product of materials comprising: (i) polyepoxide and (ii) polyamine crosslinking agent containing at least two reactive amine groups.
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