Current status of some electrochromic materials and devices: a brief review

Abstract

The modern era is an era of science and technology that affects all aspects of life. The simplest physical manifestation of the term ‘technology’ takes place in the form of a simple and user-friendly device. The design and development of a smart device, capable of performing at its best, depends on the level of scientific understanding of the basic principles that make the actual backbone on which the technology relies. This leads to progressive development and research in electronics, materials science and related fields. An electrochromic device (ECD) is a perfect example of a smart yet very simple form of a device that can be useful for a range of applications, including electrochromism: the phenomenon of bias-induced optical modulation, shown primarily by at least one of the components in an ECD. This article attempts to provide an update on different materials’ regimes and highlights the basic requirements that a material must have to be suitable for use as the active component of an ECD. This topical review gives the details of several electrochromic materials, and their electrochemical, electrochromic and other functional properties in brief. An attempt has been made to cover a subset of the vast superset of known electrochromic materials, which can be extended as a detailed comprehensive review in the future. Based on the type(s) of materials used in an ECD, device paradigms are defined, which have also been summarized through different device regimes, namely ‘all-organic’, ‘all-inorganic’ and ‘hybrid’. A comparative study has also been provided by highlighting advantages and disadvantages of each category of material/device to help one choose a material and device paradigm based on one’s requirements. To provide a glimpse, ECDs that are multifunctional and that show other functionalities like memory, and supercapacitive and sensing characteristics have also been mentioned.

Robust Trioptical-State Electrochromic Energy Storage Device Enabled by Reversible Metal Electrodeposition

“…This aesthetic technology has great potential in energy-saving architectural buildings and automotive, augmented visual reality, and wearable displays. − Nevertheless, electrochromic technology has yet to realize widespread adoption due to its limited optical states, slow response, and poor durability. Conventional electrochromic technology has mainly focused on developing nanostructured inorganic materials, organic polymers, inorganic–organic blends, and viologens. − Electrochromic devices based on reversible metal electrodeposition/dissolution − that switch between clear and colored states are viewed as exciting alternatives to traditional smart glass, − offering high contrast and durability. Via controllable electrochemical tunability, reversible electrochemical mirror (REM) electrochromic technology based on reversible metal electrodeposition/dissolution could achieve multiple optical states (clear, colored, and mirror states). − However, the complex electrolyte formulation, poor electrochemical performance, and mediocre electrochromic performance (long response, short cycle life, and poor optical memory) are the current bottlenecks encountered by REMs.…”

Tailoring Diffusion Dynamics in Energy Storage Ionic Conductors for High‐Performance, Multi‐Function, Single‐Layer Electrochromic Supercapacitors

“…In this context, there were several attempts to merge energy storage devices and other features, such as self-healing and self-powering. [1,2] Voltage-dependent optical color changes, referred to as electrochromism, [3][4][5][6][7] offer an opportunity to fabricate functional energy storage devices that can visualize the charged energy status via color change with no additional equipment. Electrochromic supercapacitors (ECSs) represent a cutting-edge option with such a dual function, in which for the SL-ECS compared with ECSs based on various materials.…”

Self-Assembled Polyaniline/Ti3C2Tx Nanocomposites for High-Performance Electrochromic Films

“…Electrochromic (EC) smart windows with reversible optical changes in visible light and near infrared bands by applying different potentials are promising for using as energy-saving windows [4]. In addition to energy-saving windows, electrochromic materials and devices can also be used as low-power displays, adaptive camouflage apparatuses, coloration-changing sunglasses, anti-glare rearview mirrors, and so on [5][6][7].…”