Electrochromic Glazing with an Ion-Conducting PVB Interlayer

Holger Stenzel, Alexander Kraft, Karl-Heinz Heckner, Matthias Rottmann, Martin Steuer, Bernd Papenfu

Smart windows with switchable light transmittance and reflectance are the windows of the future. Among the different possible technologies for smart windows electrochromism is the most promising candidate. We present a new laminated electrochromic glass consisting of two K glass panes coated
with complementary electrochromic thin films and laminated together by use of an ion-conducting PVB sheet.

For the first time ion-conducting PVB films are used as a polymer electrolyte in electrochromic glazings. This has many advantages compared to other technologies for the preparation of polymer electrolytes such as the poured resin technology. Additionally, an electrochromic glass which combines the possibility of adjusting the light transmittance with the properties of a laminated safety glass becomes possible. The well known technologies for the production of conventional PVB interlayers and for the production of laminated safety glass can also be used for the manufacture of electrochromic glazing.

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