3 research outputs found
Demonstration of a Gel-Polymer Electrolyte-Based Electrochromic Device Outperforming Its Solution-Type Counterpart in All Merits: Architectural Benefits of CeO<sub>2</sub> Quantum Dot and Nanorods
For years, solution-type electrochromic devices (ECDs)
have intrigued
researchers’ interest and eventually rendered themselves into
commercialization. Regrettably, challenges such as electrolyte leakage,
high flammability, and complicated edge-encapsulation processes limit
their practical utilization, hence necessitating an efficient alternate.
In this quest, although the concept of solid/gel-polymer electrolyte
(SPE/GPE)-based ECDs settled some issues of solution-type ECDs, an
array of problems like high operating voltage, sluggish response time,
and poor cycling stability have paralyzed their commercial applicability.
Herein, we demonstrate a choreographed-CeO2-nanofiller-doped
GPE-based ECD outperforming its solution-type counterpart in all merits.
The filler-incorporated polymer electrolyte assembly was meticulously
weaved through the electrospinning method, and the resultant host
was employed for immobilizing electrochromic viologen species. The
filler engineering benefits conceived through the tuned shape of CeO2 nanorod and quantum dots, along with the excellent redox
shuttling effect of Ce3+/Ce4+, synchronously
yielded an outstanding class of GPE, which upon utilization in ECDs
delivered impressive electrochromic properties. A combination of features
possessed by a particular device (QD-NR/PVDF-HFP/IL/BzV-Fc ECD) such
as exceptionally low driving voltage (0.9 V), high transmittance change
(ΔT, ∼69%), fast response time (∼1.8
s), high coloration efficiency (∼339 cm2/C), and
remarkable cycling stability (∼90% ΔT-retention after 25,000 cycles) showcased a striking potential in
the yet-to-realize market of GPE-based ECDs. This study unveils the
untapped potential of choreographed nanofillers that can promisingly
drive GPE-based ECDs to the doorstep of commercialization
Demonstration of a Gel-Polymer Electrolyte-Based Electrochromic Device Outperforming Its Solution-Type Counterpart in All Merits: Architectural Benefits of CeO<sub>2</sub> Quantum Dot and Nanorods
For years, solution-type electrochromic devices (ECDs)
have intrigued
researchers’ interest and eventually rendered themselves into
commercialization. Regrettably, challenges such as electrolyte leakage,
high flammability, and complicated edge-encapsulation processes limit
their practical utilization, hence necessitating an efficient alternate.
In this quest, although the concept of solid/gel-polymer electrolyte
(SPE/GPE)-based ECDs settled some issues of solution-type ECDs, an
array of problems like high operating voltage, sluggish response time,
and poor cycling stability have paralyzed their commercial applicability.
Herein, we demonstrate a choreographed-CeO2-nanofiller-doped
GPE-based ECD outperforming its solution-type counterpart in all merits.
The filler-incorporated polymer electrolyte assembly was meticulously
weaved through the electrospinning method, and the resultant host
was employed for immobilizing electrochromic viologen species. The
filler engineering benefits conceived through the tuned shape of CeO2 nanorod and quantum dots, along with the excellent redox
shuttling effect of Ce3+/Ce4+, synchronously
yielded an outstanding class of GPE, which upon utilization in ECDs
delivered impressive electrochromic properties. A combination of features
possessed by a particular device (QD-NR/PVDF-HFP/IL/BzV-Fc ECD) such
as exceptionally low driving voltage (0.9 V), high transmittance change
(ΔT, ∼69%), fast response time (∼1.8
s), high coloration efficiency (∼339 cm2/C), and
remarkable cycling stability (∼90% ΔT-retention after 25,000 cycles) showcased a striking potential in
the yet-to-realize market of GPE-based ECDs. This study unveils the
untapped potential of choreographed nanofillers that can promisingly
drive GPE-based ECDs to the doorstep of commercialization
Tracing the Surfactant-Mediated Nucleation, Growth, and Superpacking of Gold Supercrystals Using Time and Spatially Resolved X‑ray Scattering
The
nucleation and growth process of gold supercrystals in a surfactant
diffusion approach is followed by simultaneous small- and wide-angle
X-ray scattering (SAXS/WAXS), supplemented with scanning electron
microscopy. The results indicate that supercrystal nucleation can
be activated efficiently upon placing a concentrated surfactant solution
of a nematic phase on top of a gold nanocrystal solution droplet trapped
in the middle of a vertically oriented capillary tube. Supercrystal nuclei comprised of tens of gold
nanocubes are observed nearly instantaneously in the broadened liquid–liquid
interface zone of a steep gradient of surfactant concentration, revealing
a diffusion-kinetics-controlled nucleation process. Once formed, the
nuclei can sediment into the naoncrystal zone below, and grow efficiently
into cubic or tetragonal supercrystals of ∼1 μm size
within ∼100 min. Supercrystals matured during sedimentation
in the capillary can accumulate and face-to-face align at the bottom
liquid–air interface of the nanocrystal droplet. This is followed
by superpacking of the supercrystals into highly oriented hierarchical
sheets, with a huge number of gold nanocubes aligned for largely coherent
crystallographic orientations