Flexible and Transparent Electrochromic Displays with Simultaneously Implementable Subpixelated Ion Gel‐Based Viologens by Multiple Patterning

Abstract

AbstractElectrochromic materials reversibly change colors by redox reactions depending on the oxidation states. To utilize electrochromic materials for active‐matrix display applications, an electrochromic display (ECD) requires simultaneous implementation of various colors and a fine‐pixelation process. Herein, flexible and transparent ECDs with simultaneously implementable subpixelated EC gels by sequential multiple patterning are successfully demonstrated. Ionic liquid‐based EC gels of monoheptyl‐viologen, diheptyl‐viologen (DHV), and diphenyl‐viologen (DPV) are used to create the colors of ECDs: magenta, blue, and green, respectively. Especially, to realize an improved green color, DHV–DPV composite gels are synthesized. Three EC gels exhibit stable properties without degradation during repetitive operation. Moreover, a transmittance greater than 90% is maintained in a bleached state, which is sufficient for application as a transparent display. The subpixelation process for multicolored‐flexible ECDs is designed to facilitate both easy fabrication and rapid operation with various patterns at low cost. The subpixelated EC gels using a film mask can be implemented to a minimum size of 200 µm. Furthermore, the subpixelated flexible ECDs exhibit high durability even after 1000 cycles of mechanical bending tests at a bending radius of 10 mm. Therefore, these EC materials can be used directly for flexible and transparent active‐matrix displays.