Flexible Electrochromic Infrared Modulators with Integrated Conductive Composite Electrodes for Dynamic Thermal Management

Abstract

Electrochromic infrared modulators (EIMs), which enable dynamic control of infrared (IR) emissivity, hold significant promise for applications in green buildings, dynamic thermal camouflage, and intelligent thermal management. However, their practical development has been constrained by limited IR tunability and slow switching speeds, primarily arising from the inadequate performance of IR-transparent conductive and electrochromic electrodes. In this work, we present a flexible EIM with high IR emissivity modulation and fast response speed through the use of an integrated conductive MoO3/MXene electrode, which serves simultaneously as both the conductive electrode and the electrochromic electrode, eliminating the need for conventional IR transparent conductive electrodes. As a benefit from the nanorod structure of MoO3 and high conductivity of MXene, the integrated composite electrode exhibits high flexibility, high electron conductivity, and low initial IR emissivity. As a result, the assembled flexible EIMs based on the MoO3/MXene electrode and quasi-solid-state zinc-based gel electrolyte deliver exceptional electrochromic performance, including high IR modulation (Δε8–14 μm = 0.42), rapid response speed (0.50/0.54 s), and long cycling stability. The design of flexible integrated electrodes opens new pathways for developing high-performance dynamic thermal management devices.