Physically separate yet perceptually fused: interdigitated electrode-architected electrochromic film for decoupled modulation of visible and infrared camouflage

Abstract

The coupling between visible (Vis) color modulation and infrared (IR) electrochromic (EC) performance in IR EC materials has long posed a critical challenge. Herein, inspired by geometric dimensionality evolution (points to lines to surfaces), we design a dual-band decoupled EC layer (D-ECL) with “pixelated” partitioning of Vis and IR modulation regions via an interdigitated electrode. Comprising polyaniline and Prussian blue, its dual-modulation regions enable both combinations of multiple Vis color/IR emissivity states and “smooth fusion” of interdigitated stripes at distances beyond visual angular resolution limits, achieving “physically separate yet perceptually fused” Vis/IR camouflage by hiding real contours. D-ECL-integrated dual-band decoupled EC film (D-ECF), adapting to diverse temporal/regional conditions, effectively decouples Vis reflectance and IR emissivity modulation for enhanced tuning freedom, offering a new strategy for adaptive multispectral camouflage and dynamic thermal management.