Bismuth electrochromic device with high paper-like quality and high performances.
An electrochromic-type electronic paper was prepared using nanocomposites that consisted of silica nanoparticles (silica 60 wt %) and polyamide pulp. Its light scattering, ion transport, and aqueous electrolyte retention characteristics were examined. As a result, the shape of the nanocomposites was completely self-standing, though it could be impregnated with about nine times as much water on a weight basis. Moreover, its light scattering property was extremely similar to paper. Because of the impregnation of a large amount of water, the ion transport property of the nanocomposites was the same as that of the electrolyte solution without the nanocomposites. The nanocomposites was impregnated using an aqueous solution in which bismuthyl perchlorate (redox species), copper perchlorate, perchloric acid, sodium perchlorate, hydroquinone (electron mediator) and 2-buthyne-1,4-diol (leveling agent) were dissolved. The electronic paper was then prepared by sandwiching the nanocomposites between an indium-tin-oxide transparent electrode and a copper sheet. This electronic paper utilizes the reversible codeposition reaction of black Bi-Cu from bismuthyl perchlorate and copper(II) ions. The characteristics of this electronic paper were examined, and excellent characteristics with a white reflectivity of 65%, black reflectivity of 6.4%, contrast ratio of 10:1, operating life of over 1 x 10(6) cycles and open-circuit memory of at least 1 month were obtained. In addition, its driving voltage was 1.2 V, and the write time was 500 ms.
Nakashima
Michiya
M
Central Research Laboratories, DIC Corporation, Sakura, Chiba 285-8668, Japan. michiya-nakashima@ma.dic.co.jp
Ebine
Toshihiro
T
Shishikura
Masami
M
Hoshino
Katsuyoshi
K
Kawai
Kazunari
K
Hatsusaka
Kazuaki
K
D001729:Bismuth / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D003626:Data Display; D004563:Electrochemistry / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D004867:Equipment Design; D008422:Materials Testing; D010209:Paper
D001729:Bismuth