Flexible, Switchable Electrochromic Textiles

Abstract

The construction of electrochromic multilayers on textiles is described. Polyester foils are sputtered with a thin layer of translucent indium tin oxide (ITO). On these ITO layers, WO3 and polyaniline (PANI), respectively, are deposited electrochemically in a continuous process. Both the PANI‐ and WO3‐based materials are equipped with an ion‐conductive interface layer composed of lithium poly(styrene sulfonate). Electrochromic elements are made by laminating a PANI‐ and a WO3‐modified substrates together and by fixing the final material on textile substrates. Electrical control is realized by connecting a metallic fabric to each of the two electrochromic parts of the element. The electrochromic behavior of these materials can be switched reversibly within a few minutes.

Infrared absorbing nanoparticle impregnated self-heating fabrics for significantly improved moisture management under ambient conditions

“…8: 202222 characteristics of ITO, specifically in the near IR region. Similar absorption characteristics of ITO have been previously reported and used in various applications such as energy conversion and storage [16], sensing [17,18], localized surface plasmon resonance [19,20], photovoltaics [21], biomolecular detection [22] as well as textile-based applications [23,24] etc. Figure 1d shows the XRD pattern obtained for ITO nanoparticles, indicating the crystallographic features labelled on the diagram, which are in good agreement with those previously reported in the literature [19,25].…”

Critical Review on Smart Chromic Clothing

“…This type of coating is also applied to car's mirrors and sun protective glasses [27]. These types of glasses requires to be coated with transparent electrically conductive oxides (TCO) and special electrochromic components which lead to the darkening of the glass fulfilling its application which is sun protection [28]. Although electro chromic glasses are suitable for sun protection applications, yet they suffer from high costs and high weight.…”

“…Although electro chromic glasses are suitable for sun protection applications, yet they suffer from high costs and high weight. Also, any even minor damage usually requires replacement of the entire device [28]. At this point, different materials which are electrochromic may be used as an alternative since they are low in price and can be far better integrated than glass.…”

Recent Progress in Magnetron Sputtering Technology Used on Fabrics

“…Or, the ITO film was firstly electrochemical deposited on the surface of polyester fabrics, and then the WO 3 film was sputtering deposited on the surface of ITO film. The sputtering coated fabrics had electrochromic and electrical conductivity property [ 93 ].…”