High-performance flexible smart window based on copper nanowire/multi-walled carbon nanotube transparent conducting film

Flexible smart-window technology is promising in controlling the building energy in an intelligent city; however, fabricating a high-performance flexible smart windows through a simple, cost-effective, and scalable method is a challenge. Herein, we present an approach for fabricating a flexible smart window that can achieve a maximum difference of the transparency between the ON and OFF state (?TON-OFF) of 69.6% at a low applied voltage (35 V) using flexible transparent electrodes (FTEs) of copper nanowires/multi-walled carbon nanotubes (Cu NWs/MWCNTs). MWCNTs were coated on the nano wire network by spin coating to form bridges between the Cu NWs, resulting good optoelectrical properties of the FTE (a sheet resistance of 22 O/sq at 90% of the transmittance) and uniform electric field of the device. Moreover, MWCNTs enable excellent mechanical stability under a bending test of over 5000 cycles of the electrodes. As a result, the flexible smart window can achieve high output performance, mechanical durability, and fast response. Furthermore, our method is in the solution phase and operates at room temperature (25 degrees C ), which indicates the suitability of flexible smart windows for commercial applications.

Automated summary

In this study, a method for fabricating high-performance flexible smart windows using copper nanowires/multi-walled carbon nanotubes (Cu NWs/MWCNTs) as flexible transparent electrodes was presented. The flexible smart window achieved a high transparency difference of 69.6% at a low voltage (35 V), and exhibited good optoelectrical properties and uniform electric field. Additionally, the MWCNTs provided excellent mechanical stability for the electrodes. Therefore, the flexible smart window showed high output performance, mechanical durability, and fast response, making it suitable for commercial applications.