The fast switchable electrochromic (EC) materials have strong interest for controlling unnecessary lights from environment or achieving color tunability in transmissive-type and reflective-type display. In this study, a black color tunability of electrochromic dimming device was explored using polyoxometalate (PW)-anchored metal oxide (MOx) nanoparticles, poly(3,3-bis(bromomethyl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-thieno[3,4-b][1,4]dioxepine)s (PRBr), and an acid-free electrolyte layer. The PW-anchored MOx (PWMOx) layer was formed by electrostatic anchoring between the protonated MOx film and PW anion on a transparent electrode. The PWMOx was not only gave positive feedback to the electrochromic performance of its film, but also lowered the operating voltage by increasing the potential applied to the polymer layer in the electrochromic device, achieved black EC switching with high transparency modulation, a fast response time, and long endurance at a low operating voltage between 1.5 and -1.5 V. Furthermore, the boosted EC polymer properties arising from the charge balancing effect had the blocking capability for high-intensity light, such as 240 cd/m2 and ~ 2379 cd/m2 of light. The ECD blocked light transmission up to 95 % and dimming was adaptable to step voltage. This strategy may be coupled with various devices, including smart windows, transparent displays, image sensors, and augmented reality systems.
In the quest to reduce energy consumption, smart windows present a core solution to reduce the massive energy loss through windows. Smart windows can be designed on the basis of electrochromic (EC) principles, which offer simple integration mechanisms for color switching, optical sensing, energy harvesting, and energy storage. Photo-optical modulation of the EC window was explored using a thin film of polymer and a redox active electrolyte layer along with a dye-doped photoanode. The integrated photo-electrochromic window (PECW) showed high transparency over 78 % at bleached state but blocked 97 % of light at colored state. Furthermore, the PECW was capable of solar energy harvesting, allowing self-coloration under sunlight. The photo-optical modulation mechanism, material combination, and optimization of an autonomous PECW will be discussed.
Transparent photothermal (PT) materials absorbing NIR light have attracted strong interest for wireless soft robots, photothermal therapy, sensors, and wearable optoelectronic devices. Since PT materials convert light energy to heat energy, they can function as highly programmable wireless heaters and PT actuators, depending on the intensity and wavelength of the light source. However, transparent PT materials have been rarely researched because of the difficulty in absorption separation between the visible and NIR region in a molecule. Furthermore poor solubility of NIR dyes limit their application as a transparent film. Herein we present a transparent NIR dye having a transparency at visible region over 90 %. With a transparent binder, the NIR dye was fabricated as an NIR absorbing film, which showed high NIR photothermal conversion efficiency over 75 %. Taking advantage of the high photothermal effect of the film, we were able to generate a transparent photothermal heater that could be applied into desalination and actuation. The mechanism and application potential for the photothermal effect will be discussed based on the optical properties of the NIR dyes.
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