Fast and Stable Zinc Anode-Based Electrochromic Displays Enabled by Bimetallically Doped Vanadate and Aqueous Zn2+/Na+ Hybrid Electrolytes

Vanadates are a class of the most promising electrochromic materials for displays as their multicolor characteristics. However, the slow switching times and vanadate dissolution issues of recently reported vanadates significantly hinder their diverse practical applications. Herein, novel strategies are developed to design electrochemically stable vanadates having rapid switching times. We show that the interlayer spacing is greatly broadened by introducing sodium and lanthanum ions into V3O8 interlayers, which facilitates the transportation of cations and enhances the electrochemical kinetics. In addition, a hybrid Zn2+/Na+ electrolyte is designed to inhibit vanadate dissolution while significantly accelerating electrochemical kinetics. As a result, our electrochromic displays yield the most rapid switching times in comparison with any reported Zn-vanadate electrochromic displays. It is envisioned that stable vanadate-based electrochromic displays having video speed switching are appearing on the near horizon.

Automated summary

This study developed novel strategies to design electrochemically stable vanadates with rapid switching times. By introducing sodium and lanthanum ions, the interlayer spacing was significantly broadened, facilitating cation transportation and enhancing electrochemical kinetics. Additionally, a hybrid Zn2+/Na+ electrolyte was designed to inhibit vanadate dissolution and accelerate electrochemical kinetics. Our electrochromic displays demonstrated the fastest switching times compared to any reported Zn-vanadate electrochromic displays. It is expected that stable vanadate-based electrochromic displays with video speed switching will emerge in the near future.