Smart windows built with a conductive polymer with net zero energy consumption

Abstract

Windows are important for indoor lighting, cooling, and heating regulation to provide comfortable living for the occupants. However, traditional windows require excessive energy consumption due to uncontrollable light and heat conduction. Herein, to overcome these issues, all-weather smart windows (SWs) with semi-transparent symmetric supercapacitors (SSCs) based on transparent conductive polymer poly(3,4- ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonic acid) (PEDOT:PSS) are fabricated. The resulting windows show excellent near-infrared (NIR) light modulation and high visible-light transmittance. They display electrochemical performances with long lives of 10,000 cycles, coupled with satisfactory thermal insulation and a wide operating temperature range of −20°C to 40°C. The prepared flexible SWs exhibit robust mechanical properties, suitable for pasting on existing building windows. Energy savings and emission reductions with implementation of the SWs in typical locations under various climate zones in China and around the world are simulated.