A Study of Alkaline Electrolytes for Reversible Metal Electrodeposition for Dynamic Windows
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Authors
Miller, Darren Drayton
Issue Date
2020
Type
Thesis
Language
Keywords
Alkaline , Chelating Agent , Dynamic Windows , Electrodeposition , Electrolyte
Alternative Title
Abstract
Dynamic windows, which have electronically tunable transmission, are desirable for buildings and automobiles due to their aesthetics and ability to reduce lighting, heating, and cooling energy costs. Reversible metal electrodeposition has recently emerged as a promising alternative to dynamic windows based on electrochromic materials. In this thesis, alkaline electrolytes were developed that facilitates the reversible electrodeposition of Bi and Cu. Through spectroelectrochemical measurements, it was determined that a chelating ligand can be used to design optically reversible devices that exhibit sufficient Bi3+ solubility in alkaline media. Unlike previously studied acidic Bi-Cu electrolytes, these alkaline electrolytes do not degrade the tin-doped indium oxide transparent conductors typically used in dynamic windows. As a result, the work demonstrates that practical two-electrode 25 cm2 dynamic windows with these alkaline electrolytes exhibit superior durability to those containing acidic electrolytes. These results are important for the advancement of robust reversible metal electrodeposition technologies.