Complementary electrochromic devices based on acrylic substrates for smart window applications in aircrafts

Electrochromic devices (ECDs) fabricated using resin substrates are attracting considerable interest owing to their advantages of shape deformability and low weight. Acrylic substrates are used to fabricate aircraft windows because they are lighter and more impact-resistant than glass substrates. In this study, the wettability of an indium tin oxide (ITO) surface was enhanced using ultraviolet (UV) treatment prior to the spin-coating and deposition of Prussian blue (PB) and WO3 thin films, which were prepared using functional nanoparticle-dispersed inks on an ITO/acrylic substrate. The fabricated ECD was structured as acrylic/ITO/PB/K+-base gel electrolyte/WO3/ITO/acrylic, and was observed to exhibit excellent electrochromic performance. A high optical modulation and coloration efficiency of 76% and 118.37 cm2/C at a wavelength of 633 nm, respectively, and satisfactory cyclic durability over 1800 cycles were observed. The fabricated ECD possesses immense potential for application in various fields, especially in the field of smart windows for aircrafts.