SIZO/Ag/SIZO/NiO Sandwich Film Smart Window with Hybrid Low Emissivity and Electrochromism for Dynamic Solar Radiation Management.

Low-emissivity (Low-e) smart windows are a viable solution for efficient thermal regulation, designed to decrease energy consumption and improve interior comfort via their capacity to control sunlight. To enhance sunlight modulation (VIS) and heat management (NIR) in smart windows, we propose an assembly of amorphous SIZO/Ag/SIZO/NiO electrodes to provide Low-e electrochromic windows for the dynamic regulation of solar radiation, manufactured via the sputtering technique at ambient temperature. The engineered device exhibits an outstanding visible modulation of 78%, ensuring clear visibility through windows, along with excellent near-infrared shielding effectiveness exceeding 80% across the entire spectrum, commendable cyclic stability, and an ultrafast switching speed of 1 second for bleaching and 3 seconds for colouration. The advantageous, highly disordered amorphous structure, combined with an extensive number of defects, facilitates ultra-fast ion intercalation and de-intercalation processes, resulting in improved electrochromic efficiency. This discovery represents a significant leap in the production of Low-e electrochromic films, which will enhance developments in electrochromic technology for future energy-efficient smart buildings.