# US 10,373,732 B2 · Transparent electrode film, dimming element, and method for manufacturing transparent electrode film

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- Number: US 10,373,732 B2
- Document ID: US10373732B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/741,853
- Filed: 2016-07-13
- Published: 2018-07-19
- Granted: 2019-08-06
- Earliest claimed: 2015-07-16
- Assignees: Kaneka Corporation
- Applicants: Kaneka Corporation
- Inventors: Shimpei Okamoto; Junichi Nakamura; Yuji Takahashi; Takahisa Fujimoto; Takayoshi Kushizaki; Hitoshi Tamai
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10373732B2

## CPC

- B32B 23/04: comprising such {cellulosic plastic} substance as the main or only constituent of a layer, {which is} next to another layer of {the same or of} a {different material (next to a glass layer B32B17/08)}
- B32B 7/04: Interconnection of layers
- B32B 23/00: Layered products comprising {a layer of} cellulosic plastic substances {, i.e. substances obtained by chemical modification of cellulose, e.g. cellulose ethers, cellulose esters, viscose}
- B32B 27/06: as the main or only constituent of a layer, {which is} next to another layer of {the same or of} a {different material (next to a layer of a particular substance B32B9/045; next to a bituminous or tarry layer B32B11/046; next to a water setting substance layer B32B13/12; next to a metal layer B32B15/08; next to a glass layer B32B17/10; next to a layer formed of natural mineral fibres or particles B32B19/045; next to a wood layer B32B21/08; next to a cellulosic plastic layer B32B23/08; next to a natural or synthetic rubber layer B32B25/08)}
- B32B 27/281: {comprising polyimides}
- B32B 27/325: {comprising polycycloolefins}
- B32B 27/36: comprising polyesters
- B32B 27/365: {comprising polycarbonates}
- G02F 1/13439: {characterised by their electrical, optical, physical properties; materials therefor; method of making}
- G02F 1/155: Electrodes
- H01B 5/14: comprising conductive layers or films on insulating-supports
- B32B 2250/03: 3 layers
- B32B 2250/40: Symmetrical or sandwich layers, e.g. ABA, ABCBA, ABCCBA
- B32B 2255/10: on synthetic resin layer or on natural or synthetic rubber layer
- B32B 2255/20: Inorganic coating
- B32B 2255/205: Metallic coating
- B32B 2255/28: Multiple coating on one surface
- B32B 2307/20: having particular electrical or magnetic properties, e.g. piezoelectric
- B32B 2307/202: Conductive
- B32B 2307/204: Di-electric
- B32B 2307/306: Resistant to heat
- B32B 2307/40: having particular optical properties
- B32B 2307/41: Opaque
- B32B 2307/412: Transparent
- B32B 2307/416: Reflective
- B32B 2307/418: Refractive
- B32B 2307/546: Flexural strength; Flexion stiffness
- B32B 2307/732: Dimensional properties
- B32B 2307/75: Printability
- B32B 2307/752: Corrosion inhibitor
- B32B 2457/00: Electrical equipment
- B32B 2457/202: LCD, i.e. liquid crystal displays
- B32B 2457/204: Plasma displays
- B32B 2457/206: Organic displays, e.g. OLED
- H01B 1/08: oxides
- H10K 2102/103: {comprising indium oxides, e.g. ITO}
- B32B: LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- G02F: OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
- H01B: CABLES; CONDUCTORS; INSULATORS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR CONDUCTIVE, INSULATING OR DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES (selection for magnetic properties H01F1/00; waveguides H01P {; printed circuits H05K})
- H10K: ORGANIC ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES

## Abstract

A transparent electrode film includes a transparent electrode disposed on a transparent film base, wherein the transparent electrode contains a transparent conductive layer and a conductive metal pattern layer. The conductive metal pattern layer is patterned in the in-plane direction of the transparent film base. The transparent conductive layer and a protecting layer are disposed in a region where the conductive metal pattern layer is provided, and the conductive metal pattern layer is disposed closer to the transparent film base than the transparent conductive layer and the protecting layer. The protecting layer includes at least one selected from the group consisting of a precious metal and a metal oxide. The transparent electroconductive layer is also disposed at opening sections where the electroconductive metal pattern layer is absent.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A transparent electrode film comprising: a transparent film base, and a transparent electrode disposed on the transparent film base, wherein
the transparent electrode includes a transparent conductive layer a protecting layer and a conductive metal pattern layer,
the conductive metal pattern layer is patterned in an in-plane direction of the transparent film base,
the transparent conductive layer and the protecting layer are disposed in a region where the conductive metal pattern layer is provided, and the conductive metal pattern layer is disposed closer to the transparent film base than the transparent conductive layer and the protecting layer,
the protecting layer is selected from the group consisting of a precious metal and a metal oxide, and
the transparent conductive layer is disposed at an opening section where the conductive metal pattern layer is absent.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The transparent electrode film according to claim 1, wherein the conductive metal pattern layer has a stacked-layer configuration including: a metal adhesive layer disposed in contact with the transparent film base; and a metal thin-film layer disposed on top of the metal adhesive layer.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The transparent electrode film according to claim 1, wherein the protecting layer has a thickness of 1 to 50 nm.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The transparent electrode film according to claim 1, wherein an oxidation-reduction potential of the protecting layer is higher than an oxidation-reduction potential of the conductive metal pattern layer.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The transparent electrode film according to claim 1, wherein the protecting layer is an oxide layer having a relative dielectric constant of 10 or more.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The transparent electrode film according to claim 1, wherein the protecting layer includes titanium oxide.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The transparent electrode film according to claim 1, wherein the protecting layer is an oxide film of a metal that constitutes the conductive metal pattern layer.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The transparent electrode film according to claim 1, wherein the protecting layer includes gold or silver.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The transparent electrode film according to claim 1, wherein the protecting layer is also disposed at the opening section where the conductive metal pattern layer is absent.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The transparent electrode film according to claim 1, wherein
in the region where the conductive metal pattern layer is provided, a coupling agent layer, the protecting layer and the transparent conductive layer are sequentially disposed on top of the conductive metal pattern layer, and
the coupling agent layer and the protecting layer are not disposed at the opening section where the conductive metal pattern layer is absent.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The transparent electrode film according to claim 10, wherein the coupling agent layer includes cured product of a silane coupling agent.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The transparent electrode film according to claim 11, wherein the silane coupling agent includes at least one selected from the group consisting of a silane coupling agent containing an amino group and a silane coupling agent containing an acid anhydride group.

### Claim 13

A dimming element comprising: a pair of transparent electrode substrates; and a dimming layer sandwiched between the pair of transparent electrode substrates, wherein
at least one of the pair of transparent electrode substrates is a transparent electrode film comprising a transparent film base and a transparent electrode disposed on the transparent film base,
the transparent electrode including a transparent conductive layer, a protecting layer and a conductive metal pattern layer,
the conductive metal pattern layer being patterned in an in-plane direction of the transparent film base,
the transparent conductive layer and the protecting layer are disposed in a region where the conductive metal pattern layer is provided, and the conductive metal pattern layer is disposed closer to the transparent film base than the transparent conductive layer and the protecting layer,
the protecting layer is selected from the group consisting of a precious metal and a metal oxide, and
the transparent conductive layer is disposed at an opening section where the conductive metal pattern layer is absent.

### Claim 14

A method for manufacturing a transparent electrode film,
the transparent electrode film includes a transparent film base, and a transparent electrode disposed on the transparent film base,
the transparent electrode includes a transparent conductive layer and a conductive metal pattern layer,
the method comprising the steps of:
forming on the transparent film base the conductive metal pattern layer patterned in an in-plane direction of the transparent film base;
forming a protecting layer including at least one selected from the group consisting of a precious metal and a metal oxide; and
forming the transparent conductive layer, wherein
the transparent conductive layer and the protecting layer are formed after formation of the conductive metal pattern layer, and
the transparent conductive layer is formed so as to cover the conductive metal pattern layer and to cover an opening section where the conductive metal pattern layer is absent.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The method for manufacturing a transparent electrode film according to claim 14, wherein
after the step of forming the conductive metal pattern layer, a coupling agent layer is formed so as to cover the conductive metal pattern layer and to cover the opening section where the conductive metal pattern layer is absent,
the step of forming the protecting layer; and the step of forming the transparent conductive layer are then sequentially carried out,
in the step of forming the protecting layer, the protecting layer is formed so as to cover the conductive metal pattern layer and to cover the opening section where the coupling agent layer is disposed,
the step of forming the transparent conductive layer is carried out after the coupling agent layer and the protecting layer disposed over the opening section are removed.