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Origin of high optical contrast in zinc-zinc oxide electrodeposits for dynamic windows

Journal Article · · Nano Energy
 [1];  [2];  [2];  [3];  [3];  [2]
  1. Univ. of Nevada, Reno, NV (United States); OSTI
  2. Univ. of Nevada, Reno, NV (United States)
  3. Seoul National Univ. (Korea, Republic of)

The control of solar light and heat emission through windows is an important strategy for increasing the energy efficiency of buildings. Reversible Zn electrodeposition has recently emerged as a promising method for constructing electronically tintable robust dynamic windows. In Zn electrodeposits formed from dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) electrolytes during device tinting, we observe extraordinary absorption that is in excess of what is predicted by the Beer-Lambert law for a uniform Zn thin film. Here, the charge required to electroplate these films is abnormally low, significantly less than previously reported dynamic windows based on reversible metal electrodeposition, which facilitates the construction of large-area devices that switch uniformly. Finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations are used to investigate the origin of this enhanced absorption, which arises from plasmonic effects among the Zn nanoparticles and ZnO dendrites in the film. The dielectric ZnO dendrites promote absorption via slit-like Zn-dielectric-Zn structures that from hybrid surface plasmon resonance at metal walls. Through these investigations, we provide design principles to construct low-charge and high-contrast metal and metal oxide-based dynamic windows.

Research Organization:
Tynt Technologies, Inc., Boulder, CO (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE); National Science Foundation (NSF); National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF)
Grant/Contract Number:
EE0009701
OSTI ID:
2418100
Journal Information:
Nano Energy, Journal Name: Nano Energy Journal Issue: C Vol. 114; ISSN 2211-2855
Publisher:
ElsevierCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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