Smart windows built with a conductive polymer with net zero energy consumption

Abstract

Windows are important for indoor lighting, cooling, and heating regulation to provide comfortable living for the occupants. However, traditional windows require excessive energy consumption due to uncontrollable light and heat conduction. Herein, to overcome these issues, all-weather smart windows (SWs) with semi-transparent symmetric supercapacitors (SSCs) based on transparent conductive polymer poly(3,4- ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonic acid) (PEDOT:PSS) are fabricated. The resulting windows show excellent near-infrared (NIR) light modulation and high visible-light transmittance. They display electrochemical performances with long lives of 10,000 cycles, coupled with satisfactory thermal insulation and a wide operating temperature range of −20°C to 40°C. The prepared flexible SWs exhibit robust mechanical properties, suitable for pasting on existing building windows. Energy savings and emission reductions with implementation of the SWs in typical locations under various climate zones in China and around the world are simulated. • All-weather multifunctional smart windows based on a conductive polymer are fabricated • They show optical, thermal, and electrochemical properties on par with benchmark systems • The energy-saving potential of applied smart windows is evaluated across a variety of climates Zhao et al. present multifunctional smart windows with structures based on conductive polymer PEDOT:PSS thin-film electrodes. The resulting devices show impressive optical modulation, thermal insulation, and electrochemical energy storage properties, holding promise for reducing energy consumption and achieving environmental sustainability.