59 / 2026-09-19 23:50:24

Multifunctional Liquid Crystal-Based Electrochromic Device for Visible Modulation and Mid-Infrared Radiative Heat Dissipation

Electrochromic,Liquid crystal,Electrochromic device

Here, we introduce a multifunctional liquid crystal (LC)-based electrochromic device that combines reversible visible (VIS) modulation with mid-infrared (MIR) radiative heat dissipation. A viologen-containing LC/polymer film enables electrochromic switching through the reversible redox reaction of viologen, while the LC/polymer network exhibits strong thermal emission in the MIR region. The fabricated film achieved a high emissivity of over 0.90 within the 8–13 μm atmospheric window, demonstrating its potential for passive radiative heat dissipation.

To enhance MIR emission from the electrochromic film, the conventional ITO-coated glass top electrode was replaced with a zinc-coated stainless-steel mesh electrode. The open mesh structure maintains electrical contact while exposing a larger portion of the emissive film surface, allowing thermal radiation to be emitted more effectively.

By integrating electrochromic modulation and high MIR emissivity in a single LC-based device, this system provides simultaneous optical switching and thermal radiation, showing potential for energy-efficient smart-window applications with combined optical and thermal management.