Publication date: 3rd July 2020
A photoelectrochromic device (PECD) synergistically merges a photovoltaic part and an electrochromic part, enabling it to display a dual behavior of simultaneous energy harvesting and energy saving, with only light as the stimulus. A novel cost-effective PECD is designed by coupling a visible light harvesting CdS QDs sensitized titania photoanode cosensitized with P3HT semiconducting polymer, which serves both as an assistant light harvester and a hole-transporting material (TiO2/CdS/P3HT), alongside the cathodically coloring electrochromic WO3 layer integrated with a metallic Cu thin film (SiO2/WO3/Cu). The photovoltaic segment of the PECD converts solar radiation into electrical energy, which then stimulates the electrochromic material to vary its chromatic characteristics for a self-powered smart window application. The photoexcited electrons in CdS and P3HT are injected into TiO2, then via the FTO current collector travel through the external circuit to reach the counter electrode (CE). The coloration at the CE is feasible only with the intercalation of the cations from the electrolyte into the tungsten oxide lattice along with the electrons from the external circuit causing the reduction of WO3 and formation of the bluish sodium tungsten bronze (NaxWVI(1−x)WVxO3). The highly conductive plasmonic Cu nanoparticles generate hot electrons upon illumination that boosts this optical response. The sulfide electrolyte acts as a hole scavenger in the solar cell as well as an ionic electrolyte necessary for realizing the electrochromism. A very thin coating of silica over the WO3/Cu electrode induces a passivating effect to inhibit the etching of the transition metal oxide layer in the alkaline electrolyte. This PECD successfully delivered a power conversion efficiency of ⁓5.9% under 1 sun illumination as well as an integrated visible light transmission modulation of 41.6% with SiO2/WO3/Cu as CE under 0.25 sun, which is comparatively higher than 33.6% that is obtained when the device uses only SiO2/WO3. In the colored state, the PECD is deep blue, and its hue is dominated by the WO3 layer; however, in the bleached state, it is pale yellow and translucent, and its color is controlled by the CdS layer.
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