Intrinsically stretchable large-area pixelated electrochromic displays via direct photopatterning

Abstract

Electrochromic displays (ECDs) have gained increasing attention for various stretchable applications, offering voltage-controlled optical modulation with low power consumption. However, realizing ECDs that include stretchability with high-resolution pixelation remains challenging. Here, we present an unprecedented combination of materials and device architectures that enable intrinsically stretchable and highly pixelated ECDs via direct photopatterning. Central to this strategy is a stretchable and photopatternable electrochromic (EC) material, containing acrylate-substituted RGB viologens, that supports direct photopatterning with high mechanical durability. To facilitate more strategic device architecture, a stretchable reactive spacer layer and a pixel-defining layer were introduced, ensuring uniform electrical contact and improving mechanical integrity with minimized crosstalk, respectively. Leveraging the cooperative function of the developed materials and device structures, we implemented a fully stretchable 20 & times; 20 passive matrix ECD (10 cm & times; 10 cm) that exhibits RGB pixelated coloration and maintains stable electrochromic performance under strains up to 30%, with durability sustained over 1500 mechanical cycles.