Photothermal enhancement of reduced graphene oxide in hydroxypropyl cellulose for a smart-window application

The ability of hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC)-based smart windows to dynamically regulate incident light and reduce energy consumption is of great interest. Although HPC is environmentally friendly due to its nontoxicity and biodegradability, commercial applications are limited due to its relatively high lower critical solution temperature (LCST). In this paper, reduced graphene oxide (rGO) was added to HPC solutions to enhance photothermal performance and access higher solution temperatures under sunlight illumination. For a 5-mL volume of HPC solution (0.5 wt%), each milliliter of rGO solution (0.1 mg/mL) increased the solution temperature by 3.13 degrees C. The tadpole-shaped fibers were hydrophilic below the LCST but became hydrophobic and tended to form net structures above the phase-change temperature. Water molecules were expelled from the web structure at the same time. Our work broadens the applications of HPC in smart windows.

Automated summary

This study enhances the photothermal performance of HPC solutions by adding rGO, allowing higher solution temperatures to be reached under sunlight illumination. The tadpole-shaped fibers become hydrophobic and form net structures above the phase-change temperature.