High-performance tri-band electrochromic devices for energy-saving applications and reducing the risk of skin cancer

Giang Thi Phan¹, Duy Van Pham^1*, Ranjit A. Patil¹, Chien-Chih Lai¹, Yung Liou², Yuan-Ron Ma¹

¹Department of Physics, National Dong Hwa University, Hualien, Taiwan
²Institute of Physics, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan

* Presenter:Duy Van Pham, email:duypham0611@gmail.com

Next-generation electrochromic nanodevices not only block visible light but also solar heat and UV radiation to reduce energy consumption in buildings and the risk of skin cancers. Herein, we fabricated an outstanding WO₃/NiO nanorod-based electrochromic device consisting of a working electrode of 1D WO₃ nanorods, a counter electrode of 1D NiO nanorods, and a liquid electrolyte of LiClO₄. The 1D NiO nanorods counter electrode not only provides the 1D WO₃ nanorods working electrode with excellent and stable electrochromic characteristics but also facilitates ultrafast-switching times. The electrochromic characteristics, including high optical transmittance difference (~64, ~56, and ~82 %), excellent coloration efficiency (626, 400, and 890 cm² C^-1), large optical density (~1.72, ~1.04, and ~2.42), and ultrafast coloration/bleaching switching times (~0.68/~0.52 s, ~1.15/~0.45 s, ~0.5/~0.65 s) at the wavelengths of 300, 680, and 1000 nm, respectively. These characteristics make the WO₃/NiO nanorod-based electrochromic device a very promising smart window candidate for energy-saving applications and reducing the risk of skin cancer.

Keywords: WO3 nanorods, NiO nanorods, tri-band electrochromic devices, energy-saving applications, skin cancer