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Electrochromic Device Demonstrator from Household Materials
Martin Rozman1,2,3, Mojca Alif4, Urban Bren2
1Centre for Functional and Surface Functionalized Glass, Alexander Dubček University of Trenčín, Študentská 2, SK-91150 Trenčín, Slovakia.
Journal of Chemical Education
|October 17, 2022
Summary
This study presents a simple method to create electrochromic devices (ECDs) using household items like kitchen knives and turmeric. This approach makes learning about electrochemistry and electrochromism accessible without expensive materials.
Area of Science:
- Electrochemistry
- Materials Science
- Chemical Education
Background:
- Electrochromism involves reversible optical property changes in materials under electrical stimulus, crucial for low-power smart devices.
- Conventional electrochromic devices (ECDs) often rely on complex chemicals, advanced material preparation, and costly components like optically transparent electrodes (OTEs).
- Existing educational demonstrations of electrochromism typically utilize expensive materials such as WO3 films, conductive polymers, or OTEs, limiting accessibility in standard laboratory settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce a simplified, rapid, and cost-effective educational method for constructing electrochromic devices (ECDs).
- To demonstrate electrochromism using readily available household materials, eliminating the need for specialized equipment like OTEs.
- To enhance student understanding of fundamental electrochemical principles and the phenomenon of electrochromism through hands-on experimentation.
Main Methods:
- Utilized unsharpened kitchen knives as electrodes for the electrochromic devices.
- Employed curcumin, extracted from turmeric, as the primary electrochromic dye.
- Incorporated a baking soda solution as the electrolyte to facilitate the electrochemical reactions.
Main Results:
- Successfully constructed functional electrochromic devices using common household materials.
- Observed distinct color changes in curcumin, demonstrating the electrochromic effect.
- The experiments facilitated a practical understanding of electrolysis and pH-induced color changes in curcumin due to keto-enol tautomerism.
Conclusions:
- The presented method offers an accessible and economical approach to teaching electrochemistry and electrochromism.
- Household materials can be effectively utilized to demonstrate complex scientific phenomena, fostering greater student engagement.
- This educational strategy demystifies electrochromic device fabrication and fundamental electrochemical concepts.
