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Reversible Coloration Enhanced by Electrochemical Deposition of an Ultrathin Zinc Layer onto an Anodic Nanoporous Alumina Layer
Author(s) -
Hirata Shuzo,
Tsuji Toshiro,
Kato Yoshimine,
Adachi Chihaya
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
advanced functional materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.069
H-Index - 322
eISSN - 1616-3028
pISSN - 1616-301X
DOI - 10.1002/adfm.201200353
Subject(s) - materials science , nanoporous , layer (electronics) , cyan , magenta , optoelectronics , deposition (geology) , electrochemistry , thin film , composite material , zinc , chemical engineering , nanotechnology , electrode , optics , metallurgy , paleontology , chemistry , physics , engineering , sediment , inkwell , biology
A productive method is introduced to realize large area color electronic paper (e‐paper) with high UV resistance, heat resistance, and good significant bending properties using a color change triggered by reversible electronic change in the device structure. Reversible coloration and decoloration triggered by electrochemical deposition and desorption, respectively, of an ultra‐thin zinc (Zn) layer on a thin transparent conductive layer coated on anodic nanoporous alumina has been developed. The deposition of the ultra‐thin Zn layer triggers the formation of destructive interference, which leads to coloration. Yellow, magenta, and cyan colors were obtained in the colored state by increasing the NP‐Al 2 O 3 layer thickness, based on Bragg diffraction theory. Reflectance of more than 70% and contrast values of more than 7 were obtained, which are nearly equivalent to those of previous e‐papers. The color images in these devices also showed high UV resistance, heat resistance, and repeated significant bending endurance. The devices can be fabricated with large areas using low‐cost manufacturing processes such as anodic oxidation, and use abundantly available materials. Our proposed device provides low‐cost and flexible large area color e‐paper for outdoor use.