Electrochromic devices are a class of color changing electrochemical cells studied for applications in reflective displays and energy saving dimmable windows/mirrors. As a substrate for future flexible electrochromic displays, paper is a mechanically robust, renewable option already proven compatible with large scale production and printing methods. Developing paper based electrodes that are not only highly conducting but also color neutral to ensure sufficient optical contrast and reasonable switching speed is currently a major challenge. The conducting polymer, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) is a promising electrode material recently achieving conductivities approaching that of indium tin oxide after post-treatments with strong acids and polar solvents. Here, inkjet printing followed by a simple post-treatment with acid in ethylene glycol is used to generate patterned electrodes that achieve high conductivities of 1300 ± 100 S/cm on glass and a sheet resistance of 460 Ω/sq. on a unique cellulose nanofiber coated paper substrate while remaining color neutral (L*: 85, a*: -2.3, b*: -2.7). These electrodes support the redox switching of colored to colorless electrochromic polymers cyan, magenta, yellow and black allowing access to much of the perceptible color gamut. Lateral devices based on patterned electrodes show high contrast persisting for 9,000 switching cycles in ambient air. Furthermore, the display pixel can be incinerated leaving 10% of the initial mass thus highlighting this approach as a viable path toward transient display technologies.

Paper-based electrochromic devices incorporating inkjet-printed PEDOT:PSS electrodes

254th National Meeting (2017)

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