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Unveiling the Multistep Electrochemical Desorption Mechanism of Cubic NiO Films for Transmissive-to-Black
Jinhui Wang1, Rui Zhu1, Yi Gao1
1Key Laboratory for Special Functional Materials of Ministry of Education, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center for High-efficiency Display and Lighting Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Nano Functional Materials and Applications, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China.
Abstract:
Electrochromic smart windows offer dynamic control of sunshine and solar heat in modern architecture. Yet, how to obtain aesthetically pleasing color tuning states such as gray and black is a great challenge, and the corresponding desorption mechanism in electrochromism is still not well understood. Here, we report one transmissive-to-black NiO electrochromic film assembled by a facile and low-cost electrostatic spray technology, which achieves ultralarge optical modulation, high coloration efficiency, and remarkable energy storage capacity. By in-depth experimental analyses and the first-principle calculations, multistep electrochemical desorption mechanisms of OH- and electrochromic switching kinetics of the NiO film were unveiled. Additionally, the assembled NiO film-based smart energy storage indicator can visually display its energy storage level in real time. Our obtained NiO films and subsequent devices can serve as potential candidates in a broad range of innovative electrochromic applications including multifunctional smart windows, energy-efficient displays, energy-storage indicators, electronic labels, etc.
