Flexible electrochromic devices based on tungsten oxide and Prussian blue nanoparticles for automobile applications

Abstract

Smart windows, which control the amount of light entering buildings, houses, and automobiles, are promising in terms of energy conservation and their low environmental impact. Particularly, a next-generation smart window for automobiles will require high optical modulation, along with flexibility to adapt to various intelligent designs. We have previously fabricated electrochromic devices (ECDs) by wet coating glass substrates with nanoparticles (NPs), such as water-dispersive ink containing tungsten oxide (WO₃), and Prussian blue (PB), and have evaluated and confirmed the various electrochromic (EC) properties, such as optical modulation, cyclic durability, and colouration efficiency, of the ECDs. However, glass substrates are heavy and difficult to adapt by deformation to meet the demand of next-generation automobiles. In this study, we aim to prepare complementary ECDs by wet coating WO₃ and PB thin films on indium tin oxide (ITO)-coated flexible polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrates. Chromaticity and haze of ECDs were investigated in detail as evaluation indexes to verify specifications for practical use in automotive applications. Repeated switching, bending, and twisting did not degrade the ECD properties, thereby demonstrating its durability and mechanical robustness. These excellent electrochromic properties of the flexible ECDs suggest that they are promising materials for application in next-generation smart windows for automobiles.