abstract
Electrochromic devices (ECDs) combining visible/near-infrared (NIR) transparent amorphous indium zinc oxide (a-IZO) external layers with innovative NIR-emitting electrolytes composed of red seaweed-derived kappa-carrageenan (kappa-Cg) polysaccharide, glycerol (Gly), and erbium triflate (ErTrif(3)center dot xH(2)O) are proposed as a valuable technological solution for the development of smart windows providing less heating demand, less glare and more indoors human comfort for the new generation of energy-efficient buildings. The electrolyte preparation is cheap, clean, and fast. The optimized sample including 50 wt% Gly/kappa-Cg and 40 wt% ErTrif(3)center dot xH(2)O/kappa-Cg exhibits the highest ionic conductivity (1.5 X 10(-4) S cm(-1) at 20 degrees C) and displays ultraviolet (UV)/blue and NIR emissions associated with the kappa-Cg-based host and the Er3+ ions (I-4(15/2) -> I-4(13/2)), respectively. The 5-layer configuration ECD tested demonstrated fast switching time (50 s), high electrochromic contrast (transmittance variations of 46/51% at 550/1000 nm), high optical density change (0.89/0.75 at 550/1000 nm), outstanding coloration efficiency (450th cycle = -15902/-13400 cm(2) C-1 and +3072/+2589 cm(2) C-1 at 550/1000 nm for coloration and bleaching, respectively), excellent electrochemical stability, and self-healing after mechanical damage. The ECD encompasses two voltage-operated modes: semibright warm (+3.0 V, transmittances of 52/61% at 550/1000 nm) and dark cold (-3.0 V, transmittances of 7/11% at 550/1000 nm).
keywords
OXIDE THIN-FILMS; ELECTROCHROMIC DEVICES; GLAZING TECHNOLOGIES; AGAR; ELECTROLYTE; PERFORMANCE; TEMPERATURE; CARRAGEENAN; TRANSPORT; BEHAVIOR
subject category
Chemistry; Energy & Fuels; Materials Science
authors
Nunes, SC; Saraiva, SM; Pereira, RFP; Pereira, S; Silva, MM; Carlos, LD; Fortunato, E; Ferreira, RAS; Rego, R; Bermudez, VD
our authors
Luís Carlos
Full professor
Maria Rute de Amorim e Sá Ferreira André
Full professorProjects
Luminescent electrochromic devices incorporating organic/inorganic (bio)hybrid electrolytes (LUMECD)
acknowledgements
This work was supported by FEDER, through COMPETE and Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia (FCT) (FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-037271, Pest-OE/QUI/UI0616/2014, and UID/CTM/50025/2019), project LUMECD (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-016884 and PTDC/CTM-NAN/0956/2014), project UniRCell (ref. SAICTPAC/0032/2015, POCI-01-0145-FEDER-016422), and by the Portuguese National NMR Network (RNRMN). S.C.N. acknowledges FCT for grants (Post -PhD Fellowships of UniRCell and LUMECD projects). R.F.P.P. acknowledges FCT for SFRH/BPD/87759/2012 grant. The authors thank CPKelco (U.S.A.) for providing the x-carrageenan sample.