Ternary nickel oxide materials for electrochromic devices

1. A compound having a formula Li a EC 1 M1 b M2 c O x , wherein “a” ranges from about 0.5 to about 3; b+c ranges from about 0.1 to about 1; c/(b+c) ranges from about 0.1 to about 0.9; and wherein x is about 0.1 to about 50;

wherein “EC” is selected from the group consisting of a mixture of Ni(II) and Ni(III); a mixture of Co(II) and Co(III); a mixture of Ir(IV) and Ir(V); and a mixture of Mn(II), Mn(III), and Mn(IV);

“M1” is selected from the group consisting of Zr(IV); Hf(IV); Ta(V); Nb(V); and W(VI); and

“M2” is selected from the group consisting of V(V); Ta(V); Mo(VI); Nb(V); Mn(IV); La(III); and Ce(IV).

2. The compound of claim 1 , where x is an integer ranging from about 0.1 to about 50.

3. The compound of claim 1 , where x is an integer ranging from about 1 to about 6.

4. The compound of claim 1 , where “a” ranges from about 1 to about 2.6.

5. The compound of claim 1 , where b+c ranges from about 0.2 to about 0.45.

6. The compound of claim 1 , where c/(b+c) ranges from about 0.55 to about 0.75.

7. The compound of claim 1 , where:

“a” ranges from about 1.4 to about 2.2;

b+c ranges from about 0.25 to about 0.35; and

c/(b+c) ranges from about 0.6 to about 0.7.

8. An electrochromic device comprising:

(a) a first electrode comprising one of a electrochromic layer or a counter electrode layer,

(b) a second electrode comprising other of the electrochromic layer or the counter electrode layer,

(c) an ion-conductor layer for conducting ions between the first and second electrodes,

(d) a first conductive layer, and

(e) a second conductive layer,

the first and second electrodes and the ion-conductor layer being sandwiched between the first and second conductive layers,

the counter electrode layer comprising a material having a formula Li a EC1M1 b M2 c O x , where

“EC” is an electrochromic metal species,

“M1” is a host-oxide metal species, and

“M2” is a dopant oxide metal species, and

“a” ranges from about 0.5 to about 3; b+c ranges from about 0.1 to about 1; c/(b+c) ranges from about 0.1 to about 0.9; and wherein x is about 0.1 to about 50.

9. The electrochromic device of claim 8 , wherein “EC” is selected from the group consisting of a mixture of Ni(II) and Ni(III); a mixture of Co(II) and Co(III); a mixture of Ir(IV) and Ir(V); and a mixture of Mn(II), Mn(III), and Mn(IV).

10. The electrochromic device of claim 8 , wherein “M1” is selected from the group consisting of Zr(IV); Hf(IV); Ta(V); Nb(V); and W(VI).

11. The electrochromic device of claim 8 , wherein “M2” is selected from the group consisting of V(V); Ta(V); Mo(VI); Nb(V); Mn(IV); La(III); or Ce(IV).

12. The device of claim 8 , wherein the counter electrode layer comprises Li 1.82 NiW 0.45 O x , and wherein x ranges from about 0.1 to about 50.

13. The device of claim 8 , wherein the counter electrode layer comprises Li 1.97 NiZr 0.23 O x , and wherein x ranges from about 0.1 to about 50.

14. The device of claim 8 , wherein the counter electrode layer comprises Li 0.51 NiZr 0.16 La 0.19 O x , and wherein x ranges from about 0.1 to about 50.

15. The device of claim 8 , wherein the counter electrode layer comprises Li 2.22 NiZr 0.14 Mo 0.25 O x , and wherein x ranges from about 0.1 to about 50.

16. The device of claim 8 , wherein the counter electrode layer comprises Li 3.12 NiZr 0.15 Ta 0.15 O x , and wherein x ranges from about 0.1 to about 50.

17. The device of claim 8 , wherein the counter electrode layer comprises Li 2.65 NiZr 0.18 V 0.60 O x , and wherein x ranges from about 0.1 to about 50.

18. An electrochromic device comprising a substrate and at least one thin film layer, wherein the thin film layer is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of Li 1.82 NiW 0.45 O x ; Li 1.97 NiZr 0.23 O x ; Li 0.51 NiZr 0.16 La 0.19 O x ; Li 2.22 NiZr 0.14 Mo 0.25 O x ; Li 3.12 NiZr 0.15 Ta 0.15 O x ; and Li 2.65 NiZr 0.18 V 0.60 O x , wherein x ranges from about 0.1 to about 50.

19. The electrochromic device of claim 18 , wherein x ranges from about 1 to about 6.

20. The electrochromic device of claim 18 , wherein x ranges from about 1.6 to about 5.4.