Electrochromic Materials Based on Ions Insertion and Extraction

Reducing energy consumption is one of the major concerns in modern building design and construction because buildings account for approximate to 40% of the total energy consumption in modern society. Among various technologies for saving energy, electrochromic smart windows are considered as a highly promising one. Except for the application in saving energy, electrochromism has also attracted extensive attention in many other fields, such as, anti-glare rearview mirrors, displays, military camouflage, flexible wearable fabric, etc. However, there are still many challenges needed to be solved, such as, the response rate and durability of electrochromic materials (ECMs). The transmission rate of ions in ECMs determines the response rate of the whole electrochromic device. Besides, the embedding depth and total amount of ions directly affect the contrast, durability, and coloration efficiency of ECMs. It is crucial to select suitable electrolyte ions to obtain high-efficiency ECMs. Here, the challenges in ECMs based on ions insertion/extraction are presented, which are focused on advanced nanostructured ECMs' design and electrochromic devices' practical application. Recent advances in ECMs are presented to discuss the important questions, which are especially focused on the connection between suitable ions and advanced nanostructural ECMs. Finally, a perspective for next-generation electrochromic devices is presented.

Automated summary

Reducing energy consumption in modern building design and construction is crucial due to the significant portion of energy consumed by buildings in society. Electrochromic smart windows are an emerging technology with potential for energy savings and diverse applications. However, challenges such as response rate and durability of electrochromic materials still need to be addressed. Solutions may lie in advanced nanostructured designs and selecting suitable electrolyte ions for efficient electrochromic devices.