Issue 16, 2024

LCST ion gels fabricating “all-in-one” smart windows: thermotropic, electrochromic and power-generating

Abstract

Smart windows always respond to single stimuli, which cannot satisfy various needs in practical applications. Smart windows that integrate thermotropic, electrochromic and power-generating functions in one device is highly challenging yet important in satisfying on-demand light modulation and energy efficiency in practical applications. Herein, a thermoresponsive lower critical solution temperature (LCST) ion gel was fabricated via a facile in situ polymerization of butyl acrylate in a conventional ionic liquid to explore “all in one” smart windows. The ion gel-assembled smart windows are thermotropic and electrochromic with a reliable adjustment of light transparency as well as power-generating, enabled by the ionic Soret effect of ionic liquids. Additionally, the ion gels demonstrated self-defensive robust mechanical properties, thermal insulating and antifogging properties. With such an interdisciplinary and comprehensive study of the ion gels, the LCST ion gels could fulfil the requirements of genius windows with high energy-saving potential and exceptional climate adaptability, such as shut-down of light transmission in summer, daily solar energy collection, and colour changes on demand. It conceptually updates smart windows from an energy saving to an energy supplier in buildings. It is the first time to explore the “all in one” smart windows based on integrated multifunctional ionic liquids, which could greatly bridge the gap between the materials and buildings to accelerate practical applications of smart windows.

Graphical abstract: LCST ion gels fabricating “all-in-one” smart windows: thermotropic, electrochromic and power-generating

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Communication
Submitted
23 1月 2024
Accepted
16 5月 2024
First published
17 5月 2024

Mater. Horiz., 2024,11, 3825-3834

LCST ion gels fabricating “all-in-one” smart windows: thermotropic, electrochromic and power-generating

Y. Ma, Y. Wang, J. Zhou, Y. Lan, S. Jiang, Y. Ge, S. Tan, S. Zhang, C. Wang and Y. Wu, Mater. Horiz., 2024, 11, 3825 DOI: 10.1039/D4MH00082J

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements