Electrochromic smart windows using 2D-MoS2 nanostructures protected silver nanowire based flexible transparent electrodes

In recent years, the harvesting and management of energy has become a topic of intense interest because of the growing energy demands of society, the depletion of fossil fuel sources, and the research on eco-friendly development of efficient energy management technologies. In this connection, we proposed to utilize the energy-saving properties of electrochromic technology-based MoS2/silver nanowire (AgNW) electrodes for flexible smart windows. MoS2 is used to overcome the difficulties of stability, corrosion, and oxidation of AgNWs in the electrolyte. Transition metal chalcogenide (2D-MoS2) structures provide a unique platform to stabilize the surface of the AgNWs at the electrolyte interface. The prepared WO3/MoS2/AgNW based electrochromic device attained an optical contract of 52% at the low voltage of −1.2 V, which yielded a coloration efficiency (η) of 31.92 cm2/C. The MoS2/AgNW electrode exhibited high coloration and bleaching response, Tc = 11.5 s and Tb = 4.5 s, respectively, which is a faster response than that of the AgNW based electrochromic devices. Most of the existing electrochromic devices have advantages for next-generation smart windows and flexible and wearable optoelectronic applications. © 2020 Elsevier Ltd