A salt-triggered multifunctional smart window derived from a dynamic polyampholyte hydrogel. Issue 12 (5th October 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Guo, Jing; Wu, Shanshan; Wang, Yilei; Huang, Jinhui; Xie, Hui; Zhou, Shaobing
• Is Part Of: Materials horizons. Volume 9:Issue 12(2022)
• Page Start: 3039
• Page End: 3047
• Publication Date: 2022-10-05
• Subjects: Materials -- Research -- Periodicals; 543.0284
• DOI: 10.1039/d2mh00907b
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2051-6347

Abstract

Abstract : A salt-triggered transparency-switchable polyampholyte hydrogel is engineered as a multifunctional smart window featuring active and facile light modulation ability, on-demand information-provision management capacity, and self-healing capacity. Abstract : Hydrogel smart windows are promising candidates for the automatic modulation of light transmittance through thermo-, humidity-, and electrochromic mechanisms. However, thermo- and humidity-triggered hydrogel smart windows are usually passively controlled and are not convenient for achieving active actuation; electrochromic windows require complex assembly and energy input. In addition, existing hydrogel smart windows are susceptible to physical damage, which may significantly shorten their working life. Herein, a salt-triggered polyampholyte hydrogel (PAH) is developed as a novel smart window with active and facile actuation as well as self-healing ability. The dynamic ionic bonds in PAH can reversibly disassociate and reform in alternate aqueous sodium chloride solution (NaCl(aq.)) and H2 O, accounting for the reversible transparency-shifting and efficient modulation of light transmittance. PAH also enables patterning through precisely localized treatment with NaCl(aq.), which is useful for one-time information input/storage. Information encryption can be further realized by embedding PAH into an inherently transparent hydrogel or pasting it on an information carrier; the visibility of information is in line with the transparency-shifting of PAH. Moreover, the dynamic ionic bonds can endow the PAH-derived hydrogel smart window with self-healing and automatic damage-repairing abilities without sacrificing light modulation. Thus, salt-triggered PAH provides a new idea for designing actively actuating hydrogel smart windows with multifunctionality.