Electrochromic Passive Matrix Display Utilizing Diode‐Like Redox Reactions on Indium‐Tin‐Oxide

Abstract

Recent years have shown many advances in the development of tunable structural colors by combining nanostructures with electrochromic materials. One main goal is to develop energy saving color displays that rely on ambient light instead of being emissive. However, all displays need to be pixelated to show arbitrary images and few studies have addressed the challenge of preparing and controlling individual electrochromic pixels. Herein, a very simple method to reach this milestone by using passive matrix addressing is presented, which requires no additional electronic components in the pixels. It is shown that the common transparent conductor indium tin oxide (ITO) in non‐aqueous electrolytes exhibits the diode‐like behavior (threshold in voltage in relation to current and coloration) necessary to prevent significant cross‐talk between pixels. The chemical nature of the redox activity that enables this behavior is attributed to omnipresent oxygen and the formation of superoxide ions. Additionally, it is shown that a gel‐like electrolyte can be prepared by optical lithography, which makes the concept compatible with patterning of pixels at high resolution. This method for preparing pixelated displays should be compatible with practically any type of electrochromic surface in both reflective and transmissive configurations. Also, the counter electrode maintains excellent transparency since it simply consists of ITO. The results should prove very useful as the research field of tunable structural colors moves from proof‐of‐concept to real devices.