Recent Advances in Electrochromics for Smart Windows Applications

Electrochromic smart windows are able to vary their throughput of radiant energy by low-voltage electrical pulses. This function is caused by reversible shuttling of electrons and charge balancing ions between an electrochromic thin film and a transparent counter electrode. The ion transport takes place via a solid electrolyte. Charge transport is evoked by a voltage applied between transparent electrical conductors surrounding the electrochromic film/electrolyte/counter electrode stack. This review summarizes recent progress concerning (i) calculated optical properties of crystalline WO3, (ii) electrochromic properties of heavily disordered W oxide and oxyfluoride films produced by reactiv…