A hydrophobic alloy-coated Zn anode for durable electrochromic devices

Abstract

A hydrophobic CuZn5 alloy coating was introduced onto a Zn anode to improve the reversibility and stability. Such a hydrophobic alloy-coated Zn anode enabled the assembly of electrochromic devices with extended cycling stability and fast switching.

Color-Neutral Smart Window Enabled by Gradient Reversible Alloy Deposition

“…However, the Zn 2p 1/2 and Zn 2p 3/2 peaks exhibited a slight shift toward higher binding energies after plating for 5 s and remained relatively stable in the following extended plating. Such a binding energy shift is indicative of alloy formation due to the charge transfer between Zn and Cu atoms in the plated films. , Additionally, the intensity of Cu 2p peaks gradually decreased during extended plating, indicative of a reduced Cu content at the surface of the plated CuZn films. The Zn and Cu atomic percentages in the plated CuZn films were also quantified accordingly, showing a clearly increased Zn content (46.7%–97.2%) from the bottommost to the topmost surface.…”