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Crystal reconstructed cubic nickel oxide with energetic reactive interfaces for exceptional electrochromic smart
Chengyv Hu1, Xiaodan Guo1, 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, and School of Nanoscience and Materials Engineering, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China. zhurui@henu.edu.cn.
Materials Horizons
|December 24, 2024
Summary
Researchers developed phosphorylated nickel oxide (P-NiO) smart windows that enhance ion transport for better electrochromic performance. This innovation significantly boosts energy efficiency and reduces carbon emissions in buildings.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Sustainable Energy
Background:
- Electrochromic smart windows offer intelligent photothermal regulation for energy savings.
- Conventional metal oxide materials have dense structures limiting ion transport and electrochromic performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To enhance electrochromic properties of nickel oxide (NiO) via surface crystal reconstruction.
- To improve ion transport efficiency and electrochemical performance for energy-saving applications.
Main Methods:
- Surface crystal reconstruction of cubic NiO through phosphorylation (P-NiO).
- Theoretical simulations and experimental validation.
- Fabrication and energy simulation of an electrochromic smart window model.
Main Results:
- P-NiO exhibits tailored crystal structure with intracrystal cavities and unsaturated P-O bonds.
- Optimized OH- transport path, improved reaction kinetics, and reduced K+ dependence.
- Achieved 90.3% optical modulation, 81.1 cm²/C coloration efficiency, and fast switching speeds (6s/7.2s).
Conclusions:
- Surface crystal reconstruction via phosphorylation is an effective strategy for high-performance electrochromic materials.
- P-NiO based smart windows show potential for significant energy savings (60.81 MJ m⁻²) and CO₂ reduction (11.98 kg m⁻²).
- This work provides fundamental insights for designing advanced electrochromic and electrochemical materials.
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