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Transparent inorganic multicolour displays enabled by zinc-based electrochromic devices
Wu Zhang1, Haizeng Li1, William W Yu2
1Ultrafast Optics and Nanophotonics Laboratory, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2V4 Canada.
Light, Science & Applications
|July 23, 2020
Summary
Researchers developed transparent, multi-color inorganic displays using zinc-based electrochromic devices. These advanced displays offer high transparency, vibrant colors, and energy retrieval, paving the way for innovative display technologies.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Display Technology
- Electrochemistry
Background:
- Electrochromic displays are promising for color applications but current inorganic types lack transparency.
- Nanocavity structures in existing displays limit transparency and application diversity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate a transparent inorganic multicolor display platform using zinc-based electrochromic devices.
- To achieve independent electrode operation for enhanced configuration flexibility.
- To integrate high transparency and energy efficiency in inorganic multicolor displays.
Main Methods:
- Assembly of zinc-sodium vanadium oxide (Zn-SVO) electrochromic devices with dual electrochromic layers.
- Testing reversible color switching capabilities (orange, amber, yellow, brown, chartreuse, green).
- Evaluation of optical transparency and open-circuit potential (OCP).
Main Results:
- Zn-SVO devices achieved reversible switching across multiple colors while maintaining high optical transparency.
- The displays represent the most colorful transparent inorganic-based electrochromic displays to date.
- An OCP of 1.56 V was recorded, enabling self-coloration and energy retrieval.
Conclusions:
- The developed Zn-SVO electrochromic displays offer a novel platform for transparent, multicolor inorganic displays.
- The technology integrates high transparency, color versatility, and energy efficiency.
- This advancement opens new possibilities for diverse applications in display technology.
