Wide-Spectrum Modulated Electrochromic Smart Windows Based on MnO2/PB Films.

Inorganic materials have been extensively studied for visible electrochromism in the past few decades. However, the single inorganic electrochromic (EC) material commonly exhibits a single color change, leading to a narrow spectrum of modulation, which offsets or limits the maximally energy-saving ability. Here, we present a wide-spectrum modulated EC device designed by combining the complementary EC nanocomposite of manganese dioxide (MnO2) and Prussian blue (PB) for enhanced energy savings. Porous MnO2 nanostructures serve as host frameworks for the templated growth of PB, resulting in MnO2/PB nanocomposites. The complementary optical modulation ranges of MnO2 and PB enable a widen-spectrum modulation across the solar region with the development of the MnO2/PB nanocomposite. The colored MnO2/PB device exhibited an optical modulation of 32.1% in the wide solar spectrum range of 320-1100 nm and blocked 72.0% of the solar irradiance. Furthermore, fast switching responses (2.7 s for coloration and 2.1 s for bleaching) and a high coloration efficiency (83.1 cm2·C-1) of the MnO2/PB EC device are also achieved. The high EC performance of the MnO2/PB nanocomposite device provides a new strategy for the design of high-performance energy-saving EC smart windows.

Electroluminescent Devices: Extremely Stretchable Electroluminescent Devices with Ionic Conductors (Adv. Mater. 22/2016).

An extremely stretchable electroluminescent device is fabricated by P. S. Lee and co-workers, as described on page 4490. The stretchable alternating-current electroluminescent (ACEL) device possesses extremely high stretchability, and can be linearly stretched to 700% with the luminance being maintained at 70% of the initial value before stretching. The device can be repeatedly stretched to 400% with stable emission behavior. The presented device will provide new opportunities in stretchable lighting, volumetric 3D displays, interactive readout systems, and other unprecedented applications.

Extremely Stretchable Electroluminescent Devices with Ionic Conductors.

An extremely stretchable electroluminescent device is fabricated based on alternating-current electroluminescent (ACEL) materials and ionic conductors. The stretchable ACEL device possesses extremely high stretchability, and can be linearly stretched to 700% with the luminance being maintained at 70% of the initial value before stretching. The ACEL device can be repetitively stretched to 400% with stable emission behavior.

Ultra-large optical modulation of electrochromic porous WO3 film and the local monitoring of redox activity.

Porous WO3 films with ultra-high transmittance modulation were successfully fabricated on different substrates by a novel, facile and economical pulsed electrochemical deposited method with 1.1 s interval time between each pulse. The near ideal optical modulation (97.7% at 633 nm), fast switching speed (6 and 2.7 s), high coloration efficiency (118.3 cm2 C-1), and excellent cycling stability are achieved by the porous WO3 on ITO-coated glass. The outstanding electrochromic performances of the porous WO3 film were mainly attributed to the porous structure, which facilitates the charge-transfer, promotes the electrolyte infiltration and alleviates the expansion of the WO3 during H+ insertion compared to that of the compact structure. In addition, the relationships between the structural and electrochemical activity of the electrochromic WO3 films were further explored by the scanning electrochemical microscopy. These results testify that the porous structure can promote the infiltration of electrolyte and reduce the diffusion path, which consequently enhance the electrochemical activity.