Infrared electroactive materials and devices Original Research Article

Light and flexible optical batteries based on plastic lithium-ion battery (PliON) technology have been recently proposed, and are able to modulate their reflection in the infrared range. We have focused our interest in the wavelength range 3–5 and 8–12 μm range corresponding to two optical windows of light propagation in the atmosphere. The original feature of this device is that it uses material powder embedded in a plastic matrix. The choice of materials to obtain significant contrasts is discussed. According to the type of materials (metal or semiconductor), the influence of their nature, their morphology and their structures on the optical properties is underlined. The optical behaviors of low or high absorptive compounds have been understood and correlated to the particle size. The main important point is that high reflection can be obtained with high absorptive or transparent particles unlike the thin layer device. Some parameters are investigated in order to improve to final device.