A flexible variable emissivity electrochromic device and a preparation method thereof are disclosed. The device includes a working electrode, a gel electrolyte layer, and a counter electrode sequentially from top to bottom. The working electrode includes a flexible polymer film and a metal film, the flexible polymer film is a surface-modified film and/or a film with a transition layer plated on a lower side thereof, and the metal film is deposited on the surface-modified film or the transition layer. The electrolyte layer includes a porous membrane and an electrolyte. The electrolyte is infiltrated in the porous membrane. The electrolyte includes an electrochromic material containing metal ions and a solvent, the metal ions enable reversible electrodeposition and dissolution, and metal of the metal ions is different from that used in the metal film. The preparation method includes preparing and assembling a working electrode, a gel electrolyte layer and a counter electrode.

A flexible variable emissivity electrochromic device and a preparation method thereof are disclosed. The device includes a working electrode, a gel electrolyte layer, and a counter electrode sequentially from top to bottom. The working electrode includes a flexible polymer film and a metal film, the flexible polymer film is a surface-modified film and/or a film with a transition layer plated on a lower side thereof, and the metal film is deposited on the surface-modified film or the transition layer. The electrolyte layer includes a porous membrane and an electrolyte. The electrolyte is infiltrated in the porous membrane. The electrolyte includes an electrochromic material containing metal ions and a solvent, the metal ions enable reversible electrodeposition and dissolution, and metal of the metal ions is different from that used in the metal film. The preparation method includes preparing and assembling a working electrode, a gel electrolyte layer and a counter electrode.

Various embodiments herein relate to electrochromic devices and electrochromic device precursors, as well as methods and apparatus for fabricating such electrochromic devices and electrochromic device precursors. In certain embodiments, the electrochromic device or precursor may include one or more particular materials such as a particular electrochromic material and/or a particular counter electrode material. In various implementations, the electrochromic material includes tungsten titanium molybdenum oxide. In these or other implementation, the counter electrode material may include nickel tungsten oxide, nickel tungsten tantalum oxide, nickel tungsten niobium oxide, nickel tungsten tin oxide, or another material.

Various embodiments herein relate to electrochromic devices and electrochromic device precursors, as well as methods and apparatus for fabricating such electrochromic devices and electrochromic device precursors. In certain embodiments, the electrochromic device or precursor may include one or more particular materials such as a particular electrochromic material and/or a particular counter electrode material. In various implementations, the electrochromic material includes tungsten titanium molybdenum oxide. In these or other implementation, the counter electrode material may include nickel tungsten oxide, nickel tungsten tantalum oxide, nickel tungsten niobium oxide, nickel tungsten tin oxide, or another material.

Design of transparent mesh counter electrodes for use in dynamic window articles capable of reversible metal electrodeposition (RME). Such an RME window may include a transparent conductive electrode, an electrolyte in contact with the electrode, where the electrolyte includes metal cations that can be reversibly electrodeposited onto the electrode, and a mesh counter electrode. The mesh counter electrode includes an electrochemically inert core with a thin metal coating thereover. The thin metal coating can be of the material that is involved in electrodeposition (e.g., a combination of copper and bismuth). The mesh counter electrode is substantially transparent (e.g., transparency of at least about 70%). Such a mesh counter electrode can provide a high capacity (1.5 C/cm.sup.2) that provides good durability over numerous tinting and bleaching cycles, with minimal change in coloration efficiency, reflection profile, and electrodeposition metal concentration (e.g., [Cu.sup.2+]) in the electrolyte.

Design of transparent mesh counter electrodes for use in dynamic window articles capable of reversible metal electrodeposition (RME). Such an RME window may include a transparent conductive electrode, an electrolyte in contact with the electrode, where the electrolyte includes metal cations that can be reversibly electrodeposited onto the electrode, and a mesh counter electrode. The mesh counter electrode includes an electrochemically inert core with a thin metal coating thereover. The thin metal coating can be of the material that is involved in electrodeposition (e.g., a combination of copper and bismuth). The mesh counter electrode is substantially transparent (e.g., transparency of at least about 70%). Such a mesh counter electrode can provide a high capacity (1.5 C/cm.sup.2) that provides good durability over numerous tinting and bleaching cycles, with minimal change in coloration efficiency, reflection profile, and electrodeposition metal concentration (e.g., [Cu.sup.2+]) in the electrolyte.

Conventional electrochromic devices frequently suffer from poor reliability and poor performance. Improvements are made using entirely solid and inorganic materials. Electrochromic devices are fabricated by forming an ion conducting electronically-insulating interfacial region that serves as an IC layer. In some methods, the interfacial region is formed after formation of an electrochromic and a counter electrode layer. The interfacial region contains an ion conducting electronically-insulating material along with components of the electrochromic and/or the counter electrode layer. Materials and microstructure of the electrochromic devices provide improvements in performance and reliability over conventional devices.

Conventional electrochromic devices frequently suffer from poor reliability and poor performance. Improvements are made using entirely solid and inorganic materials. Electrochromic devices are fabricated by forming an ion conducting electronically-insulating interfacial region that serves as an IC layer. In some methods, the interfacial region is formed after formation of an electrochromic and a counter electrode layer. The interfacial region contains an ion conducting electronically-insulating material along with components of the electrochromic and/or the counter electrode layer. Materials and microstructure of the electrochromic devices provide improvements in performance and reliability over conventional devices.

A tintable window is described having a tintable coating, e.g., an electrochromic device coating, for regulating or blocking light transmitted through the window. In some embodiments, the window can receive, transmit and/or regulate wireless communication that uses electromagnetic waves as a communication medium. In some cases, a window can receive or transmit infrared, visible, or ultraviolet wireless light fidelity (LiFi) signals. A window can be configured, in some cases selectively configured, for blocking radiation and/or signals generated by LiFi, radio frequency (RF), laser or other devices from passing through the window. Windows configured for blocking signals may be configured as a communication firewall between an interior environment and an exterior environment, or vice-versa. Networks of tintable windows can communicate via LiFi and provide a communications network through which other devices, such as personal computing devices, can be connected to the internet or a remote network.

Conventional electrochromic devices frequently suffer from poor reliability and poor performance. Improvements are made using entirely solid and inorganic materials. Electrochromic devices are fabricated by forming an ion conducting electronically-insulating interfacial region that serves as an IC layer. In some methods, the interfacial region is formed after formation of an electrochromic and a counter electrode layer. The interfacial region contains an ion conducting electronically-insulating material along with components of the electrochromic and/or the counter electrode layer. Materials and microstructure of the electrochromic devices provide improvements in performance and reliability over conventional devices.