Novel prussian blue@Carbon-dots hybrid thin film: The impact of carbon-dots on material structure and electrochromic performance

Herewith, a series of Prussian blue@Carbon-dot (P@C-dot) hybrids were directly grown on FTO substrate by simple, one-step hydrothermal method in different dosage of aqueous dispersion of carbon dots. Being a new class of carbon allotropes, Carbon dot (C-dot) hybridized with Prussian blue (PB) will enhance the electroactivity of the hybrid film. It was found that the incorporation of C-dots influences the appearance color of the sample, the microstrucutre and electrochromic performance of the hybrids. Raman and XPS analysis revealed structural changes of the hybrid with different dosage of C-dots. The P@C-dot hybrid film exhibits a high-contrast electrochromism, fast response time and highly reversible nature compared to the sample without C-dots. This improved performance of P@C-dot hybrids can be attributed to the role of reinforced C-dots in facilitating electron transport and ionic motion in the hybrid film. Thus, the P@C-dot hybrid film provides a versatile and promising application towards the fabrication of smart windows. (c) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.