Download Development of Novel Electrochromic Devices Based on

Research Student Project
Supervisor name & contact details:
Name: Dr Tony Betts
School: Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Email: [email protected]
Research Centre Name and Website (if
applicable)
Applied Electrochemistry Group
Please indicate if the intention is to transfer
from the Masters programme to the PhD
programme (if applicable)
-
Please indicate if the project is suitable for a
self-funded student
No
Funding Agency
-
Scholarship Details
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Subject Area
Materials Science/Electrochemistry
Title of the Project
Development of Novel Electrochromic Devices
Based on Green Chemistry
http://www.dit.ie/focas/research/appliedelectr
ochemistrygroup/
Project Description (max 300 words)
The intention of this project is to develop new materials suitable for use in electrochromic
devices based on a green chemistry approach. Such devices can either change colour or their
degree of transparency/opacity through the application of an electric potential (voltage).
Applications of electrochromic devices can range from use in displays, smart windows, mirrors
and in optical/lighting components. Typically inorganic transition metal oxides, such as tungsten
oxide and nickel oxide have been used in the past, but these are difficult to recycle and may be
expensive (eg iridium oxide). Although organic compounds including phthalocyanines, viologens
and conducting polymers have been employed more recently, these can be toxic compounds and
they can also suffer from inferior performance characteristics.
In this work ionogels which are solid electrolytes may be used to incorporate conducting
polymers and/or inorganic compounds capable of changing their colour state through the
imposition of an electrical potential. These electrolytes will be employed to fabricate novel
electrochromic devices, in conjunction with a green chemistry approach that potentially either
reduces or eliminates entirely the need for volatile organic compounds to be used as solvents in
the fabrication process. Use of inexpensive analogues of novel room temperature ionic liquids
will be explored as potential replacement solvents. Following their preparation, the properties of
the new electrochromic materials will then be fully characterised using a variety of spectroscopic,
microscopic and electrochemical methods. Specifically their coloration efficiency, contrast ratios,
stability, colour intensity and structural flexibility will all be ascertained along with other
important properties, including their electrochemical behaviour.
Please indicate the student requirements for this project
Minimum 2.1 in Chemical and/or Materials Sciences
Deadline to submit applications (only for
funded projects)
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