An Ultrafast, Energy‐Efficient Electrochromic and Thermochromic Device for Smart Windows
Bin Deng, Yanan Zhu, Xiaowei Wang, Jinlin Zhu, Manyu Liu, Mingqiang Liu, Yaowu He, Caizhen Zhu, Chaohong Zhang, Hong Meng- Mechanical Engineering
- Mechanics of Materials
- General Materials Science
Abstract
Smart windows nowadays undertake the esteemed obligation of reducing energy consumption as well as upgrading living experience. This project aims to devise a smart window that responds to both electricity and heat, with the intention of achieving energy efficiency, privacy preservation, and enhanced decorative attributes. Through the implementation of a novel electrochromic material design, coupled with the optimization of electrochromic devices (ECDs), a high‐performance ECD is obtained, demonstrating coloring/bleaching time of 0.53/0.16 s, a transmittance modulation of 78% (from 99% to 21%), and superior performance in six dimensions. Furthermore, temperature‐responsive units and an ionic liquid are incorporated into the electrolyte system to create a novel thermochromic gel electrolyte with transmittance modulation from 80% to 0%, and excellent thermal insulation (6.4 °C reduction). Ultimately, an electro‐ and thermochromic device is developed, featuring an ultrafast color‐switching speed of 0.82/0.60 s and multiple working modes. Overall, this work showcases a prospective design pathway for the development of next‐generation ultrafast‐switching, and energy‐efficient intelligent windows.