Issue 10, 2018

Al3+ intercalation/de-intercalation-enabled dual-band electrochromic smart windows with a high optical modulation, quick response and long cycle life

Abstract

Dual-band electrochromic smart windows with independent control of the transmittance of near-infrared (NIR) and visible (VIS) light can contribute significantly to the reduction of building energy consumption. Cost and inadequate electrochromic performance are the current technical challenges. We present here a dual-band electrochromic smart window design based on the intercalation/de-intercalation of Al3+ cations to replace the common use of monovalent cations in electrochromic applications. The Al3+ intercalation/de-intercalation-enabled electrochromic smart window delivers not only efficient and independent control of NIR and VIS light transmittance, but also impressive electrochromic performance – a high optical modulation of the full solar spectrum (93.2%, 91.7%, 88.5%, and 86.8% at 633, 800, 1200, and 1600 nm, respectively), high coloration efficiencies (254 and 121 cm2 C−1 at 1200 and 633 nm, respectively), fast switching times (8/5 s and 16/13 s at 1200 and 633 nm, respectively, for coloration/bleaching), and high bistability and cyclability (a 5.5% capacity loss after 2000 cycles). The good electrochromic performance can be attributed to the effective diffusion of Al3+ in the electrochromic material (as good as that of Li+); and a shallow intercalation/de-intercalation depth enabled by the ability of Al3+ to support three-electron redox reactions. The performance of Al3+ intercalation/de-intercalation-enabled dual-band electrochromism was also verified in laboratory prototype devices to confirm its suitability for dual-band smart windows.

Graphical abstract: Al3+ intercalation/de-intercalation-enabled dual-band electrochromic smart windows with a high optical modulation, quick response and long cycle life

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
13 iyn 2018
Accepted
31 iyl 2018
First published
01 avq 2018

Energy Environ. Sci., 2018,11, 2884-2892

Al3+ intercalation/de-intercalation-enabled dual-band electrochromic smart windows with a high optical modulation, quick response and long cycle life

S. Zhang, S. Cao, T. Zhang, A. Fisher and J. Y. Lee, Energy Environ. Sci., 2018, 11, 2884 DOI: 10.1039/C8EE01718B

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