Bionic Nanogel Interfaces Unlock Long-Term Stability in Zn Metal Electrodeposition-Based Electrochromic Windows

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Energy Storage

Background:

• Aqueous zinc electrochromic windows (AZWs) offer a sustainable dynamic window solution using low-cost, safe electrolytes.
• Current AZWs face challenges including poor reversibility, byproduct formation, and limited cycling lifespan due to electrochemical instability.
• Developing robust electrodes is crucial for advancing AZW technology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To engineer a bionic transparent nanogel interlayer (TGI) for enhancing the electrochemical performance and stability of AZWs.
• To investigate the protective and ion-transport facilitating mechanisms of a triple-layer nanogel structure.
• To demonstrate improved solar heat modulation and cycling stability in AZWs utilizing the TGI.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a triple-layer bionic transparent nanogel interlayer (TGI) applied to both zinc and ITO electrodes.
• Electrochemical characterization including cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic cycling to assess reversibility and stability.
• Optical and solar heat modulation performance testing of the developed AZWs.

Main Results:

• The triple-layer TGI effectively suppressed hydrogen evolution and byproduct formation, mitigating water corrosion.
• The nanogel structure facilitated uniform zinc deposition and stripping, enhancing electrochemical reversibility.
• AZWs incorporating TGI@Zn and TGI@ITO electrodes demonstrated superior stability and solar heat modulation capabilities compared to controls.

Conclusions:

• The bionic triple-layer nanogel interlayer is a highly effective strategy for improving the performance and durability of aqueous zinc electrochromic windows.
• This approach provides a promising pathway for overcoming critical limitations in AZW technology.
• The developed interlayer design offers valuable insights for next-generation electrochromic device development.