Design of Symmetric TiO2/LiI/TiO2 Electrochromic Devices for Gradient Shaded Smart Windows with Enhanced Switching and Cycling Properties

Abstract

Abstract Li+ insertion and extraction inherently impact the switching dynamics and cycling stability of inorganic electrochromic (EC) electrodes. Herein, the extraction of Li+ out of the TiO2 lattice to release the electron is replaced by the charge recombination of the electron with I3− at the TiO2‐electrolyte interface, which avoids the mechanical breakdown of the electrodes and renders self‐bleaching with no applied voltages. A device design of the same two TiO2 nanocrystal (NC) electrodes combined with the redox lithium salt (LiI) electrolyte confers symmetric electrochromism. By applying a forward or reverse bias, the two TiO2 electrodes alternately serve as the electrochromic electrode and exhibit voltage‐controlled gradient coloration, a maximum optical modulation of 90% at 700 nm, and a doubled cycling performance. The microstructure of the TiO2 NC film is characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller methods. The electrochemical and electrochromic properties of the device are investigated using cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and Mott–Schottky method.

Keywords

• electrochromic smart windows
• redox electrolytes
• self‐bleaching electrodes
• symmetric electrochromic devices
• TiO2 nanocrystals