Patent · US Expired

Alkali metal diffusion barrier layer

US5830252A · kind A · utility

43Cited by
6References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 1, 1996
Grant dateNov 3, 1998
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 1, 2016

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
  • CPC primaryC03C2218/156
  • WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

Amorphous metal oxide barrier layers of titanium oxide, zirconium oxide and zinc/tin oxide are effective as alkali metal ion barrier layers at thicknesses below 180 Angstroms. The amorphous metal oxide barrier layers are most effective when the density of the layer is equal to or greater than 90% of the crystalline density. The barrier layers prevent migration of alkali metal ions such as sodium ions from glass substrates into a medium e.g. electrolyte of a photochromic cell, liquid material of a liquid crystal display device contacting the glass surface. The properties of the medium, particularly electroconductive metal oxide coatings, are susceptible to deterioration by the presence of sodium ions migrating from the glass.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.