Adaptive building materials are capable of changing their properties based on environmental conditions to optimize energy efficiency.  Among these materials, dynamic, or �Smart� Windows are poised to lead to significant reductions in building energy use.  Currently, existing technologies remain too expensive for wide market adoption.  In this presentation we discuss new polymeric materials that enable lower cost production of smart windows.The glass manufacturing industry has long relied on polyvinyl butyral (PVB) for applications related to lamination and safety glass because of favorable optical properties, excellent adhesion, and low toxicity profile. Our existing efforts leverage these beneficial characteristics for use in modern dynamic window technologies, such as electrochromic windows. This introduces well known benefits of PVB interlayers into next generation energy efficient glazing technologies, but also improves encapsulation of sensitive electrochromic device materials. Most importantly, using PVB interlayers in laminated glass is a well-established process that allows for the integration of dynamic window technologies into existing glass industries (e.g., manufacturing IG units).Herein we present our findings on the overall effectiveness of a PVB-based gel electrolyte for electrochromic applications. PVB resin was dissolved in an organic solvent system in conjunction with a plasticizing agent and lithium salt. The ionic conductivity of the film in the liquid phase and after lamination was examined. The impact of material and chemical properties including resin molecular weight, plasticizing agent, and lithium salt type on polymer structure were examined to access gel electrolyte functionality. Various loading levels of these components were tuned to optimize the optical clarity, adhesion, and ionic conductivity of the electrolyte. Various deposition methods and lamination conditions were evaluated with respect to electrochromic device performance and functionality. High performance PVB-based electrolyte films were successfully incorporated into functional, laminated electrochromic devices. Device performance was confirmed with cyclic voltammetry and in-situ transmission spectroscopy.

Polymeric ion conductors for next generation smart windows

248th National Meeting (2014)

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