All-plastic electrochromic devices based on PEDOT as switchable optical attenuator in the near IR

Advanced materials for I R applications such as thermal control in spacecraft applications or variable optical attenuators which could replace the present systems have been sought. The use of electrochromic devices based on conducting polymers will add lightness and flexibility to the final device in order to overcome the limitations of the present materials used in IR applications. In this work, we present a new all-plastic electrochromic device with optical contrast (%Delta T) of 44% at 1971 nm in the IR region based on PEDOT formulations and ionic liquid blends as electrolytes. The switching time of the device is in the order of a few seconds, with a t(c) 2.7 s and t(b) 3.8 s. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.