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Detail
Journal Article
Scalable self-powered electrochromic smart windows using gel electrolytes
- Authors
- Md Halim Hossain, Chil Seong Ah, Hojun Ryu
- Issue Date
- 2026-06
- Citation
- Energy Reports, v.15, pp.1-9
- ISSN
- 2352-4847
- Publisher
- Elsevier
- Language
- English
- Type
- Journal Article
- Abstract
- Self-powered electrochromic smart windows have emerged as essential components in sustainable building technologies. This study presents an innovative approach using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) based gel electrolytes, which addresses limitations in conventional liquid electrolyte systems, including leakage and durability issues. A roll-to-roll slot-die coating process was successfully implemented, enabling uniform film deposition and scalability for large architectural applications. The fabricated 40 mm × 40 mm device exhibited a superior optical modulation of 58 ± 2.6% at a wavelength of 600 nm, a rapid coloration time of approximately 1.5 min, and a spontaneous bleaching time of around 8 min, outperforming many existing self-powered electrochromic devices. The optimized gel composition (40% PVA, 0.5 M AlCl3, 80 mM APS) demonstrated high ionic conductivity (7.44 ± 0.17 mS/cm at 21°C), excellent optical transparency (90 ± 2%), and strong mechanical stability. Furthermore, a large-area device of 300 cm² was fabricated and visually confirmed to operate with improved coloration response using a three-sided aluminum counter electrode, reducing coloration time from around 10 min to under 4 min. These results are promising for the practical deployment of scalable, energy-efficient, and self-powered electrochromic smart windows.
- Keyword
- Electrochromic window, Energy-efficient building component, Gel electrolyte, Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), Self-powered
- KSP Keywords
- Building Technologies, Coating process, Electrochromic window, Electrolyte systems, Energy-efficient building, Film deposition, Gel composition, High ionic conductivity, Innovative approach, Liquid electrolyte, Mechanical stability
This work is distributed under the term of Creative Commons License (CCL)
(CC BY NC ND)
(CC BY NC ND)
