Development of Electrochromic Devices, Based on Polymeric Gel, for Energy Saving Applications

In this work, the implementation of an electrochromic device (10 cm × 10 cm in size) for energy saving applications has been presented. As electrochromic system has been used with an electrochromic solution (ECsol) made by ethyl viologen diperchlorate [EV(ClO<sub>4</sub>)<sub>2<...

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Main Authors: Carmen Rizzuto, Riccardo C. Barberi, Marco Castriota
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-08-01
Series:Polymers
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/15/16/3347
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author Carmen Rizzuto
Riccardo C. Barberi
Marco Castriota
author_facet Carmen Rizzuto
Riccardo C. Barberi
Marco Castriota
author_sort Carmen Rizzuto
collection DOAJ
description In this work, the implementation of an electrochromic device (10 cm × 10 cm in size) for energy saving applications has been presented. As electrochromic system has been used with an electrochromic solution (ECsol) made by ethyl viologen diperchlorate [EV(ClO<sub>4</sub>)<sub>2</sub>], 1,1′-diethyl ferrocene (DEFc) and propylene carbonate (PC), as solvent. The final system has been obtained by mixing the ECsol, described above, with a polymeric system made by Bisphenol-A glycerolate (1 glycerol/phenol) diacrylate (BPA) and 2,2-Dimethoxy-2-phenylacetophenone (Irgacure 651) in a weight percentage equal to 60:40% <i>w</i>/<i>w</i>, respectively. Lithography has been used to make a spacer pattern with a thickness of about 15–20 µm between the two substrates. Micro-Raman spectroscopy confirmed the presence of the EV<sup>•+</sup> as justified by the blue color of the electrochromic device in the ON state. Electrochemical and optical properties of the electrochromic device have been studied. The device shows reversible electrochromic behavior as confirmed by cyclic color variation due to the reduction and oxidation process of the EV<sup>2+</sup>/EV<sup>•+</sup> couple. The electrochromic device shows a variation of the % transmittance in the visible region at 400 nm of 59.6% in the OFF state and 0.48% at 3.0 V. At 606 nm the transmittance in the bleached state is 84.58% in the OFF state and then decreases to 1.01% when it is fully colored at 3.0 V. In the NIR region at 890 nm, the device shows a transmittance of 74.3% in the OFF state and 23.7% at 3.0 V while at 1165 nm the values of the transmittance changed from 83.21% in the OFF state to 1.58% in the ON state at 3.0 V. The electrochromic device shows high values of CCR% and exhibits excellent values of CE in both visible and near-infrared regions when switched between OFF/ON states. In the NIR region at 890 nm, electrochromic devices can be used for the energy-saving of buildings with a promising CE of 120.9 cm<sup>2</sup>/C and 420.1 cm<sup>2</sup>/C at 1165 nm.
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spelling doaj.art-2c756842631a48e6b7f6cd48e47c098f2023-11-19T02:42:48ZengMDPI AGPolymers2073-43602023-08-011516334710.3390/polym15163347Development of Electrochromic Devices, Based on Polymeric Gel, for Energy Saving ApplicationsCarmen Rizzuto0Riccardo C. Barberi1Marco Castriota2Department of Physics, University of Calabria Ponte Bucci, Cubo 33B, 87036 Rende, CS, ItalyDepartment of Physics, University of Calabria Ponte Bucci, Cubo 33B, 87036 Rende, CS, ItalyDepartment of Physics, University of Calabria Ponte Bucci, Cubo 33B, 87036 Rende, CS, ItalyIn this work, the implementation of an electrochromic device (10 cm × 10 cm in size) for energy saving applications has been presented. As electrochromic system has been used with an electrochromic solution (ECsol) made by ethyl viologen diperchlorate [EV(ClO<sub>4</sub>)<sub>2</sub>], 1,1′-diethyl ferrocene (DEFc) and propylene carbonate (PC), as solvent. The final system has been obtained by mixing the ECsol, described above, with a polymeric system made by Bisphenol-A glycerolate (1 glycerol/phenol) diacrylate (BPA) and 2,2-Dimethoxy-2-phenylacetophenone (Irgacure 651) in a weight percentage equal to 60:40% <i>w</i>/<i>w</i>, respectively. Lithography has been used to make a spacer pattern with a thickness of about 15–20 µm between the two substrates. Micro-Raman spectroscopy confirmed the presence of the EV<sup>•+</sup> as justified by the blue color of the electrochromic device in the ON state. Electrochemical and optical properties of the electrochromic device have been studied. The device shows reversible electrochromic behavior as confirmed by cyclic color variation due to the reduction and oxidation process of the EV<sup>2+</sup>/EV<sup>•+</sup> couple. The electrochromic device shows a variation of the % transmittance in the visible region at 400 nm of 59.6% in the OFF state and 0.48% at 3.0 V. At 606 nm the transmittance in the bleached state is 84.58% in the OFF state and then decreases to 1.01% when it is fully colored at 3.0 V. In the NIR region at 890 nm, the device shows a transmittance of 74.3% in the OFF state and 23.7% at 3.0 V while at 1165 nm the values of the transmittance changed from 83.21% in the OFF state to 1.58% in the ON state at 3.0 V. The electrochromic device shows high values of CCR% and exhibits excellent values of CE in both visible and near-infrared regions when switched between OFF/ON states. In the NIR region at 890 nm, electrochromic devices can be used for the energy-saving of buildings with a promising CE of 120.9 cm<sup>2</sup>/C and 420.1 cm<sup>2</sup>/C at 1165 nm.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/15/16/3347viologenUV-Vis-NIR and Raman spectroscopiescyclic voltammetrycolor contrast ratiocoloration efficiency
spellingShingle Carmen Rizzuto
Riccardo C. Barberi
Marco Castriota
Development of Electrochromic Devices, Based on Polymeric Gel, for Energy Saving Applications
Polymers
viologen
UV-Vis-NIR and Raman spectroscopies
cyclic voltammetry
color contrast ratio
coloration efficiency
title Development of Electrochromic Devices, Based on Polymeric Gel, for Energy Saving Applications
title_full Development of Electrochromic Devices, Based on Polymeric Gel, for Energy Saving Applications
title_fullStr Development of Electrochromic Devices, Based on Polymeric Gel, for Energy Saving Applications
title_full_unstemmed Development of Electrochromic Devices, Based on Polymeric Gel, for Energy Saving Applications
title_short Development of Electrochromic Devices, Based on Polymeric Gel, for Energy Saving Applications
title_sort development of electrochromic devices based on polymeric gel for energy saving applications
topic viologen
UV-Vis-NIR and Raman spectroscopies
cyclic voltammetry
color contrast ratio
coloration efficiency
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/15/16/3347
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AT riccardocbarberi developmentofelectrochromicdevicesbasedonpolymericgelforenergysavingapplications
AT marcocastriota developmentofelectrochromicdevicesbasedonpolymericgelforenergysavingapplications