Electrochromic Systems and the Prospects for Devices

Abstract

Many inorganic and organic materials exhibit redox states with distinct electronic (UV-vis) absorption bands. When the switching of redox states generates new or different visible region bands, the material is electrochromic. Electrochromic materials are currently attracting much interest in academia and industry for both their fascinating spectroelectrochemical properties and their commercial applications. In this review some of the most important examples from the major classes of electrochromic materials are highlighted. Examples of their use in both prototype and commercial electrochromic devices are illustrated including car mirrors, windows and sun-roofs of cars, windows of buildings, displays (see Figure), printing, and frozen-food monitoring.