A tungsten-trioxide/prussian blue complementary electrochromic cell with a polymer electrolyte

Abstract

Optically variable windows (smart windows), which control the transmission of light into buildings and vehicles, are of interest both for the control of solar heat load and for privacy applications. Such windows are likely to utilize electrochromic technology to achieve optical control. An electrochromic device consisting of a cathodically colouring tungsten trioxide (WO3) film, an anodically colouring Prussian blue (PB) film, and a polymer electrolyte was made. The polymer electrolyte was prepared from polyvinyl alcohol doped with H3PO4 and KH2PO4 to accommodate the conduction of both H+ and K+ ions. The electrochromic WO3 and PB films functioned in a complementary way such that the device was coloured or bleached by the application of −0.5 V or +0.5 V (WO3 films vs PB film), respectively. The spectral characteristics of the coloured device confirmed the complementary colouration of WO3 and PB in the device.