Black electrochromic ink with a straightforward method using copper oxide nanoparticle suspension

Abstract Electrochromic (EC) materials for smart windows must exhibit a dark colour and block visible light (wavelength = 380–780 nm) to reduce environmental impact. In particular, black tones are also desired, and there are many reports of attempts to create these dark tones using organic materials...

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Main Authors: Chan Yang Jeong, Hiroshi Watanabe, Kazuki Tajima
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2023-05-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-34839-9
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author Chan Yang Jeong
Hiroshi Watanabe
Kazuki Tajima
author_facet Chan Yang Jeong
Hiroshi Watanabe
Kazuki Tajima
author_sort Chan Yang Jeong
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Electrochromic (EC) materials for smart windows must exhibit a dark colour and block visible light (wavelength = 380–780 nm) to reduce environmental impact. In particular, black tones are also desired, and there are many reports of attempts to create these dark tones using organic materials such as polymers. However, their fabrication methods are complicated, expensive, and may even use hazardous substances; moreover, they are often not sufficiently durable, such as upon exposure to ultraviolet light. There are some reported cases of black materials using the CuO system as an inorganic material, but the synthesis method was complicated and the functionality was not stable. We have found a method to synthesize CuO nanoparticles by simply heating basic copper carbonate and adjusting the pH with citric acid to easily obtain a suspension. The formation and functionality of CuO thin films were also demonstrated using the developed suspension. This research will enable the creation of EC smart windows using existing inorganic materials and methods, such as printing technology, and is the first step towards developing environment-friendly, cost-effective, and functional dark inorganic materials.
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spelling doaj.art-a247616b0cad40c3a0f011f26b9409312023-05-14T11:15:00ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222023-05-0113111010.1038/s41598-023-34839-9Black electrochromic ink with a straightforward method using copper oxide nanoparticle suspensionChan Yang Jeong0Hiroshi Watanabe1Kazuki Tajima2National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST)National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST)National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST)Abstract Electrochromic (EC) materials for smart windows must exhibit a dark colour and block visible light (wavelength = 380–780 nm) to reduce environmental impact. In particular, black tones are also desired, and there are many reports of attempts to create these dark tones using organic materials such as polymers. However, their fabrication methods are complicated, expensive, and may even use hazardous substances; moreover, they are often not sufficiently durable, such as upon exposure to ultraviolet light. There are some reported cases of black materials using the CuO system as an inorganic material, but the synthesis method was complicated and the functionality was not stable. We have found a method to synthesize CuO nanoparticles by simply heating basic copper carbonate and adjusting the pH with citric acid to easily obtain a suspension. The formation and functionality of CuO thin films were also demonstrated using the developed suspension. This research will enable the creation of EC smart windows using existing inorganic materials and methods, such as printing technology, and is the first step towards developing environment-friendly, cost-effective, and functional dark inorganic materials.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-34839-9
spellingShingle Chan Yang Jeong
Hiroshi Watanabe
Kazuki Tajima
Black electrochromic ink with a straightforward method using copper oxide nanoparticle suspension
Scientific Reports
title Black electrochromic ink with a straightforward method using copper oxide nanoparticle suspension
title_full Black electrochromic ink with a straightforward method using copper oxide nanoparticle suspension
title_fullStr Black electrochromic ink with a straightforward method using copper oxide nanoparticle suspension
title_full_unstemmed Black electrochromic ink with a straightforward method using copper oxide nanoparticle suspension
title_short Black electrochromic ink with a straightforward method using copper oxide nanoparticle suspension
title_sort black electrochromic ink with a straightforward method using copper oxide nanoparticle suspension
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-34839-9
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AT kazukitajima blackelectrochromicinkwithastraightforwardmethodusingcopperoxidenanoparticlesuspension