Flexible electrochromic and thermochromic hybrid smart window based on a highly durable ITO/graphene transparent electrode

Sang Jin Lee, Sun Hee Lee, Hyung Won Kang, Sahn Nahm, Bong Hoon Kim, Hyeongkeun Kim, Seung Ho Han

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

87 Scopus citations

Abstract

A flexible smart window with electrochromic (EC) and thermochromic (TC) properties is fabricated on a highly durable transparent indium-tin oxide (ITO)/graphene/polyethylene terephthalate (PET) electrode. An amorphous WO3 film and crystalline VO2 film are used as the EC and TC material, respectively, in the device. The ITO film deposited via atomic layer deposition acts as a protective layer and suppresses the plasma-induced damage of graphene, which typically occurs during the sputtering process. In this device, the amorphous WO3 film undergoes cathodic electrochromic reactions with high coloration efficiency, while the crystalline VO2 film shows characteristic thermochromic behavior. Thus, the flexible EC–TC hybrid smart window shows the controlled transmission of optical and solar energies according to the surrounding temperature and the applied voltage, allowing selective modulation of the visible and near-infrared light. The flexible EC–TC hybrid device is also very stable under mechanical bending, owing to the robust adhesion of the ITO film on the graphene support and the reduced plasma-induced damage of graphene. The fabricated high-performance, durable ITO/graphene/PET transparent electrode can pave the way for next-generation flexible optoelectronic devices as well as multifunctional flexible smart windows.

Original languageEnglish
Article number129028
JournalChemical Engineering Journal
Volume416
DOIs
StatePublished - 15 Jul 2021

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 Elsevier B.V.

Keywords

  • Atomic layer deposition
  • Electrochromic materials
  • Flexible smart windows
  • Graphene
  • Thermochromic materials
  • Transparent electrodes

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