@article {11798, title = {Electrochromically switched, gas-reservoir metal hydride devices with application to energy-efficient windows}, journal = {Thin Solid Films}, volume = {1}, year = {2008}, month = {08/2003}, address = {Eindhoven, Netherlands}, abstract = {

Proof-of-principle gas-reservoir MnNiMg electrochromic mirror devices have been investigated. In contrast to conventional electrochromic approaches, hydrogen is stored (at low concentration) in the gas volume between glass panes of the insulated glass units (IGUs). The elimination of a solid state ion storage layer simplifies the layer stack, enhances overall transmission, and reduces cost. The cyclic switching properties were demonstrated and system durability improved with the incorporation a thin Zr barrier layer between the MnNiMg layer and the Pd catalyst. Addition of 9\% silver to the palladium catalyst further improved system durability. About 100 full cycles have been demonstrated before devices slow considerably. Degradation of device performance appears to be related to Pd catalyst mobility, rather than delamination or metal layer oxidation issues originally presumed likely to present significant challenges.

}, author = {Andr{\'e} Anders and Jonathan L. Slack and Thomas J. Richardson} } @conference {12035, title = {Lithium-Based Electrochromic Mirrors}, booktitle = {203rd Meeting of the Electrochemical Society}, year = {2003}, month = {04/2003}, address = {Paris, France}, abstract = {

Antimony, antimony-copper, and antimony-silver thin films were prepared by DC magnetron sputtering on glass substrates. Their reflectance and transmittance in the visible range were measured before and after electrochemical lithiation. The mixed metal films exhibited larger changes in reflectance and small shifts in the optical absorption edge compared with pure antimony films. Electrochromic cycling speed and stability of the Sb-Li system were improved by the addition of copper and silver.

}, author = {Thomas J. Richardson and Jonathan L. Slack} } @techreport {1372, title = {Energy Performance Analysis of Electrochromic Windows in New York Commercial Office Buildings}, year = {2002}, month = {11/2002}, abstract = {

A DOE-2.1E energy simulation analysis of a switchable electrochromic (EC) glazing with daylighting controls has been conducted for prototypical office buildings in New York (NY). The modeling included four types of office buildings: "old" and "new" vintages and large (10,405 m2, 112,000 ft2) and small (502m2, 5400 ft2) buildings. Five commercially available, base case windows with and without interior shades were modeled. Window area varied from 0 to 60\% of the exterior floor-to-floor wall area. The electric lighting had either no controls or continuous daylighting controls. The prototypes were modeled in New York City or Buffalo.

Energy performance ata are given for each of the four perimeter zones. Data are presented as a function of window-to-wall ratio in order to better understand the interactions between 1) electric lighting energy use and daylight admission and 2) solar heat gains and space-conditioning energy use. Maximum and minimum reductions in energy use between the EC glazing and all other base case conditions are also presented. Projected energy use reductions relative to typical specified NY office buildings are presented as an indication of the potential impacts EC glazings might have in retrofit and new construction.

The energy and demand reductions provided by EC glazings with daylighting controls relative to what is typically specified in office buildings in NY are quite substantial. EC glazings will also dampen fluctuations in interior daylight levels and window brightness, potentially increasing visual comfort.

}, author = {Eleanor S. Lee and L. Zhou and Mehry Yazdanian and Vorapat Inkarojrit and Jonathan L. Slack and Michael D. Rubin and Stephen E. Selkowitz} } @article {11955, title = {In Situ X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy Study of Hydrogen Absorption by Nickel-Magnesium Thin Films}, journal = {Physical Review B}, volume = {67}, number = {8}, year = {2002}, month = {02/2003}, abstract = {

Structural and electronic properties of co-sputtered Ni-Mg thin films with varying Ni to Mg ratio were studied by in situ x-ray absorption spectroscopy in the Ni L-edge and Mg K-edge regions. Codeposition of the metals led to increased disorder and decreased coordination around Ni and Mg compared to pure metal films. Exposure of the metallic films to hydrogen resulted in formation of hydrides and increased disorder. The presence of hydrogen as a near neighbor around Mg caused a drastic reduction in the intensities of multiple scattering resonances at higher energies. The optical switching behavior and changes in the x-ray spectra varied with Ni to Mg atomic ratio. Pure Mg films with Pd overlayers were converted to MgH2: The H atoms occupy regular sites as in bulk MgH2. Although optical switching was slow in the absence of Ni, the amount of H2 absorption was large. Incorporation of Ni in Mg films led to an increase in the speed of optical switching but decreased maximum transparency. Significant shifts in the Ni L3 and L2 peaks are consistent with strong interaction with hydrogen in the mixed films.

}, doi = {10.1103/PhysRevB.67.085106}, author = {Baker Farangis and Ponnusamy Nachimuthu and Thomas J. Richardson and Jonathan L. Slack and Rupert C.C. Perera and Eric M. Gullikson and Dennis W. Lindle and Michael D. Rubin} } @conference {1854, title = {Structural and Electronic Properties of Magnesium-3D Transition Metal Switchable Mirrors}, booktitle = {Fifth International Meeting on Electrochromism}, year = {2002}, month = {12/2002}, address = {Golden, CO}, abstract = {

We have observed reversible mirror-to-transparent state switching in a variety of mixed metal thin films containing magnesium and first-row transition elements including Ni, Fe, Co, Mn, and Ti. The very large changes in both reflectance and transmittance on loading these films with hydrogen are accompanied by significant structural and electronic transformations. The valence states and coordination of metal atoms during hydrogen loading were followed using dynamic in situ transmissionmode X-ray absorption spectroscopy. Time-resolved Mg K-edge and Ni, Co, Mn, and Ti L-edge spectra reflect both reversible and irreversible changes in the metal environments. These spectra are compared to those of reference materials and to predictions from calculations.

}, keywords = {EXAFS, Hydrogen storage materials, NEXAFS, thin films, x-ray diffraction}, doi = {10.1016/j.ssi.2003.08.041}, author = {Baker Farangis and Ponnusamy Nachimuthu and Thomas J. Richardson and Jonathan L. Slack and Bruno K. Meyer and Rupert C.C. Perera and Michael D. Rubin} } @article {1985, title = {X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy of Transition Metal-Magnesium Hydride Thin Films}, journal = {Journal of Alloys and Compounds}, volume = {356-357}, number = {2003}, year = {2002}, month = {08/2003}, pages = {204-207}, chapter = {204}, abstract = {

Mixed metal thin films containing magnesium and a first-row transition element exhibit very large changes in both reflectance and transmittance on exposure to hydrogen gas. Changes in electronic structure and coordination of the magnesium and transition metal atoms during hydrogen absorption were studied using dynamic in situ transmission mode X-ray absorption spectroscopy. Mg K-edge and Ni, Co, and Ti L-edge spectra reflect both reversible and irreversible changes in the metal environments. A significant shift in the nickel L absorption edge shows it to be an active participant in hydride formation. The effect on cobalt and titanium is much less dramatic, suggesting that these metals act primarily as catalysts for formation of magnesium hydride.

}, keywords = {EXAFS, Hydrogen storage materials, NEXAFS, thin films, x-ray diffraction}, doi = {10.1016/S0925-8388(02)01237-9}, author = {Thomas J. Richardson and Baker Farangis and Jonathan L. Slack and Ponnusamy Nachimuthu and Rupert C.C. Perera and Nobumichi Tamura and Michael D. Rubin} } @article {12075, title = {Mixed Metal Films with Switchable Optical Properties}, journal = {Applied Physics Letters}, volume = {80}, number = {8}, year = {2001}, month = {02/2002}, pages = {1349-1351}, abstract = {

Thin, Pd-capped metallic films containing magnesium and first row transition metals (Mn, Fe, Co) switch reversibly from their initial reflecting state to visually transparent states when exposed to gaseous hydrogen or following reduction cathodic polarization in an alkaline electrolyte. Reversion to the reflecting state is achieved by exposure to air or by anodic polarization. The films were prepared by co-sputtering from one magnesium target and one manganese, iron, or cobalt target. Both the dynamic optical switching range and the speed of the transition depend on the magnesium-transition metal ratio. Infrared spectra of films in the transparent, hydrided (deuterided) states support the presence of the intermetallic hydride phases Mg3MnH7, Mg2FeH6, and Mg2CoH5.

}, doi = {10.1063/1.1454218}, author = {Thomas J. Richardson and Jonathan L. Slack and Baker Farangis and Michael D. Rubin} } @article {1875, title = {Switchable Mirrors Based on Nickel-Magnesium Films}, journal = {Applied Physics Letters}, volume = {78}, number = {20}, year = {2001}, month = {05/2001}, pages = {3047-3049}, chapter = {3047}, abstract = {

An electrochromic mirror electrode based on reversible uptake of hydrogen in nickel magnesium alloy films is reported. Thin, magnesium-rich Ni-Mg films prepared on glass substrates by cosputtering from Ni and Mg targets are mirror-like in appearance and have low visible transmittance. Upon exposure to hydrogen gas or on cathodic polarization in alkaline electrolyte, the films take up hydrogen and become transparent. When hydrogen is removed, the mirror properties are recovered. The transition is believed to result from reversible formation of Mg2NiH4 and MgH2. A thin overlayer of palladium was found to enhance the kinetics of hydrogen insertion and extraction, and to protect the metal surface against oxidation.

}, doi = {10.1063/1.1371959 }, author = {Thomas J. Richardson and Jonathan L. Slack and Robert D. Armitage and Robert Kostecki and Baker Farangis and Michael D. Rubin} } @conference {11799, title = {Electrochromism in Copper Oxide Thin Films}, booktitle = {4th International Meeting on Electrochromism}, year = {2000}, month = {08/2000}, address = {Uppsala, Sweden}, abstract = {

Transparent thin films of copper(I) oxide prepared on conductive SnO2:F glass substrates by anodic oxidation of sputtered copper films or by direct electrodeposition of Cu2O transformed reversibly to opaque metallic copper films when reduced in alkaline electrolyte. In addition, the same Cu2O films transform reversibly to black copper(II) oxide when cycled at more anodic potentials. Copper oxide-to-copper switching covered a large dynamic range, from 85\% and 10\% photopic transmittance, with a coloration efficiency of about 32 cm2/C. Gradual deterioration of the switching range occurred over 20 to 100 cycles. This is tentatively ascribed to coarsening of the film and contact degradation caused by the 65\% volume change on conversion of Cu to Cu2O. Switching between the two copper oxides (which have similar volumes) was more stable and more efficient (CE = 60 cm2/C), but covered a smaller transmittance range (60\% to 44\% T). Due to their large electrochemical storage capacity and tolerance for alkaline electrolytes, these cathodically coloring films may be useful as counter electrodes for anodically coloring electrode films such as nickel oxide or metal hydrides.

}, author = {Thomas J. Richardson and Jonathan L. Slack and Michael D. Rubin} } @article {11766, title = {Effect of Hydrogen Insertion on the Optical Properties of PD-Coated Magnesium Lanthanides}, journal = {Electrochimica Acta}, year = {1998}, month = {9/1998}, address = {London, U.K.}, abstract = {

Metallic magnesium lanthanide thin films upon insertion of hydrogen transform to a highly transparent hydride phase. With a Pd overlayer, the transformation can be produced either by electrochemical insertion of hydrogen or by exposing the film to hydrogen gas. Unlike amorphous oxide electrochromics, the transformation is accompanied by a large change in visible reflectance (about 50\%). The optical switching effect in these materials is investigated in terms of changes in the complex refractive index as determined by variable-angle spectroscopic ellipsometric and normal-incidence radiometric measurements over the solar spectrum. Furthermore the optical effect of converting the Pd caplayer to Pd-H was determined. It is shown that the pd layer limits the visible transmittance of the hyrdrided stack to about 35-40\%. Whereas the extinction coefficient of the dehydrided LnMg-layers at 550 nm is between 2.2 and 3.1, it is as low as 10-4 in the transparent state.

}, author = {Klaus von Rottkay and Michael D. Rubin and Franck Michalak and Robert D. Armitage and Thomas J. Richardson and Jonathan L. Slack and Peter A. Duine} } @article {11792, title = {Electrochromic lithium nickel oxide by pulsed laser deposition and sputtering}, journal = {Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells}, volume = {54}, number = {4-Jan}, year = {1998}, month = {07/1998}, pages = {59-66}, chapter = {59}, abstract = {

Thin films of lithium nickel oxide were deposited by sputtering and pulsed laser deposition (PLD) from targets of pressed LiNiO2 powder. The composition and structure of these films were analyzed using a variety of techniques, such as nuclear-reaction analysis, Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS), X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, and atomic-force microscopy. Crystalline structure, surface morphology and chemical composition of LixNi1-xO thin films depend strongly on deposition oxygen pressure, temperature as well as substrate{\textendash}target distance. The films produced at temperatures lower than 600{\textdegree}C spontaneously absorb CO2 and H2O at their surface once they are exposed to the air. The films deposited at 600{\textdegree}C proved to be stable in air over a long period. Even at room temperature the PLD films are denser and more stable than sputtered films. RBS determined the composition of the best films to be Li0.5Ni0.5O deposited by PLD at 60\ mTorr O2 pressure. Electrochemical tests show that the films exhibit excellent reversibility in the range 1.0{\textendash}3.4\ V versus lithium. Electrochemical formatting which is used to develop electrochromism in other films is not needed for the stoichiometric films. The optical transmission range is almost 70\% at 550\ nm for 150\ nm-thick films. Devices made from these films were analyzed using novel reference electrodes and by disassembling after cycling.

}, keywords = {Lithium nickel oxide, pulsed laser deposition, sputtering}, doi = {10.1016/S0927-0248(97)00223-7}, author = {Michael D. Rubin and Shi-Jie Wen and Thomas J. Richardson and John B. Kerr and Klaus von Rottkay and Jonathan L. Slack} } @article {11794, title = {Electrochromic Lithium Nickel Oxide Thin Films by RF-Sputtering from a LiNiO2 Target}, journal = {Electrochimica Acta}, volume = {44}, number = {18}, year = {1998}, pages = {3085-3092}, abstract = {

Thin films of lithium nickel oxide were deposited by rf sputtering from a stoichiometric LiNiO2 target. The composition and structure of these films depended on the oxygen pressure during deposition (sputtering gas is Argon), and, to a certain extent, the target history. The sputtering geometry, i.e. the substrate to target distance and the sputtering angle were also critical. the films exhibit excellent reversibility in the potential range 1.1V to 3.8 V vs Li/Li+ and could be cycled in a liquid electrolyte half cell for more than 3000 cycles with a switching range ΔTvis close to 70\%. The coloration efficiency in the visible was typically -30 to -40 cm2 C-1. The switching performance of a device utilizing a lithium nickel oxide film as counter electrode for a tungsten oxide electrochromic film is reported.

}, author = {Franck Michalak and Klaus von Rottkay and Thomas J. Richardson and Jonathan L. Slack and Michael D. Rubin} } @conference {1932, title = {Tungsten-Vanadium Oxide Sputtered Films for Electrochromic Devices}, booktitle = {Electrochemical Society: Molecular Functions of Electroactive Thin Films}, volume = {98-26}, year = {1998}, month = {11/1998}, address = {Boston, MA}, abstract = {

Mixed vanadium and tungsten oxide films with compositions ranging from 0 to 100\% vanadium (metals basis) were prepared by reactive sputtering from metallic vanadium and tungsten targets in an atmosphere of argon and oxygen. The vanadium content varied smoothly with the fraction of total power applied to the vanadium target. Films containing vanadium were more color neutral than pure tungsten oxide films, tending to gray-brown at high V fraction. The electrochromic switching performance of these films was investigated by in situ monitoring of their visible transmittance during lithium insertion/extraction cycling in a non-aqueous electrolyte (1M LiClO4 in PC). the solar transmittance and reflectance was measured ex-situ. Films with vanadium content greater than about 15\%, exhibited a marked decrease in switching range. The coloration efficiencies followed a similar trend.

}, author = {Thomas J. Richardson and Klaus von Rottkay and Jonathan L. Slack and Franck Michalak and Michael D. Rubin} } @conference {11778, title = {Effective Medium Approximation of the Optical properties of electrochromic cerium-titanium oxide compounds}, booktitle = {SPIE Proceedings}, volume = {3138}, year = {1997}, month = {07/1997}, pages = {19-Sep}, address = {San Diego, CA}, abstract = {

Cerium titanium oxide samples derived from a solution have been compared against sputtered films over a wide range of different compositions. X-ray diffraction was used to investigate the structural properties of the compound material existing in a two-phase mixture MAO2-MBO2. The optical properties were evaluated over the whole solar spectrum by variable angle spectroscopic ellipsometry combined with spectrophutometry. The spectral complex refractive index was determined for CeO2 and TiO2, as well as for their compounds. To reduce the large number of permutations in composition of multi-component oxides it would be useful to be able to predict the properties of the mixtures from the pure oxide components. Therefore these results were compared to those obtained by effective medium theory utilizing the optical constants of CeO2 and TiO2. In order to investigate the performance as passive counter-electrode in Li+ based electrochromic devices the films were tested by cyclic voltammetry with in-situ transmission control. Chemical composition was measured by Rutherford backscattering spectrometry. Surface morphology was analyzed by atomic force microscopy.

}, keywords = {cerium titanium oxide, effective medium theory, electrochromic, optical constants}, author = {Klaus von Rottkay and Thomas J. Richardson and Michael D. Rubin and Jonathan L. Slack} } @conference {11966, title = {Influence of stoichiometry on the electrochromic cerium-titanium oxide compounds}, booktitle = {11th International Conference of Solid State Ionics}, year = {1997}, month = {11/1997}, address = {Honolulu, Hawaii}, abstract = {

CeO2-TiO2 finds use as passive counter-electrode in electrochromic devices. Thin films were produced by dc-sputtering in a wide range of compositions. Influence of total pressure and oxygen partial pressure on the optical constants of TiO2 was investigated. Slightly substoichiometric TiO2 films exhibit a red-shift of the bandgap. The TiO2 content in the compound essentially determines the degree of cathodical coloring upon Li+ intercalation. However, pure TiO2 films with comparable visible transmittance in the clear state behave differently during electrochemical cycling depending on oxygen stoichiometry. Films that are deposited at higher total pressure are more oxygen rich and require initial formatting until current voltage cycles become stable. CeO2-TiO2 films of intermediate compositions have the relatively highest charge capacity. Comparison with atomic force microscopy indicates a correlation of small grain size with high charge capacity.

}, keywords = {band gap, charge capacity, electrochromic cerium titanium oxide, grain size, optical constants, rms roughness, tio2}, author = {Klaus von Rottkay and Thomas J. Richardson and Michael D. Rubin and Jonathan L. Slack and Lisen Kullman} } @conference {11545, title = {Analysis of Durability in Lithium Nickel Oxide Electrochromic Materials and Devices}, booktitle = {2nd International Meeting on Electrochromism}, year = {1996}, month = {10/1996}, address = {San Diego, CA}, abstract = {

Thin films of lithium nickel oxide were deposited by sputtering and laser ablation from targets of pressed nickel oxide and lithium oxide powders. These films were assembled into electrochromic test devices with tungsten oxide as the opposite electrode and a polymer electrolyte. Analysis of the failure modes was carried out at several levels: The composition and structure of the films were examined before and after cycling using a variety of techniques, such as infrared spectroscopy, nuclear-reaction analysis, Rutherford backscattering spectrometry, x-ray diffraction and atomic force microscopy. Absorption of water vapor was found to be a major factor determining the cyclic stability of the films. A new technique is described for incorporating reference electrodes made from an electronically isolated corner into devices. This structure enabled identification of potential problems associated with a particular interface. Finally, some of the devices were disassembled and the components examined. For example, a small quantity of the polymer was extracted and studied by gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy. Small organic fragments were discovered which correspond to expected weak points in the polymer structures.

}, author = {Shi-Jie Wen and John B. Kerr and Michael D. Rubin and Jonathan L. Slack and Klaus von Rottkay} } @article {12147, title = {Optical Indices of Lithiated Electrochromic Oxides}, journal = {Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells}, volume = {54}, number = {4-Jan}, year = {1996}, month = {07/1998}, pages = {49-57}, chapter = {49}, abstract = {

Optical indices have been determined for thin films of several electrochromic oxide materials. One of the most important materials in electrochromic devices, WO3, was thoroughly characterized for a range of electrochromic states by sequential injection of Li ions. Another promising material, Li0.5Ni0.5O, was also studied in detail. Less detailed results are presented for three other common lithium-intercalating electrochromic electrode materials: V2O5, LiCoO2, and CeO2-TiO2. The films were grown by sputtering, pulsed laser deposition (PLD) and sol-gel techniques. Measurements were made using a combination of variable-angle spectroscopic ellipsometry and spectroradiometry. The optical constants were then extracted using physical and spectral models appropriate to each material. Optical indices of the underlying transparent conductors, determined in separate studies, were fixed in the models of this work. The optical models frequently agree well with independent physical measurements of film structure, particularly surface roughness by atomic force microscopy. Inhomogeneity due to surface roughness, gradient composition, and phase separation are common in both the transparent conductors and electrochromics, resulting sometimes in particularly complex models for these materials. Complete sets of data are presented over the entire solar spectrum for a range of colored states. This data is suitable for prediction of additional optical properties such as oblique transmittance and design of complete electrochromic devices.

}, doi = {10.1016/S0927-0248(97)00222-5}, author = {Michael D. Rubin and Klaus von Rottkay and Shi-Jie Wen and Nilg{\"u}n {\"O}zer and Jonathan L. Slack} }