Inkjet-printed electrochromic devices utilizing polyaniline–silica and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)–silica colloidal composite particles

Polyanline (PANI)–silica and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT)–silica colloidal composite particles having a diameter of 200–300 nm were synthesized, then converted to intrinsically conducting polymer (ICP)-inks viasolvent exchange. These inks could be inkjet-printed on indium tin oxide-coated poly(ethylene terephthalate) films (ITO-PET film) using a commercial desktop inkjet printer. These PANI–silica or PEDOT–silica/ITO-PET assemblies were utilized as the active layer in electrochromic devices (ECDs). A number of devices were fabricated that exhibited 500 µm size patterning and utilized spatially controlled printing of the particles to allow for a dual image display. In addition, the PANI and PEDOT-based particles were blended into a single ICP ink that allowed for a wider absorption tuning range of the final ECD.