Inkjet-printing assisted engineering of patternable zinc anode-based electrochromic devices

Abstract

Zn anode-based electrochromic devices (ZECDs) stand out as a highly promising technology in the upcoming era of multifunctional electronic devices, offering a blend of electrochromic capabilities and energy storage functions within a single transparent platform. However, significant challenges persist in achieving efficient patterning, ensuring long-term stability, and fast color-switching kinetics for these devices. In this study, heterogeneous tungsten oxide nanowires (W₁₇O₄₇/Na_0.1WO₃, WNOs) are formulated into inkjet printing ink to assemble patternable ZECDs. The heterogeneous electrode structure of WNO enables a highly capacitive-controlled mechanism that promotes fast electrochromic/electrochemical behavior. Notably, by utilizing a three-dimensional MXene mesh modified substrate, the inkjet-printed ZECDs exhibit a wide optical modulation range of 69.13%, rapid color-changing kinetics (t_c = 4.1 s, t_b = 5.4 s), and highly reversible capacities of 70 mAh cm⁻² over 1000 cycles. This scalable strategy develops the patterned electrodes with a wide optical modulation range and substantial energy storage properties, offering promising prospects for their application in next-generation smart electronics.