Rapid switching of a Pt-free photovoltachromic device based on WO3 using PProDOT-Me2 catalyst

Developing a low-cost and efficient Photovoltachromic Device (PVCD) can address the requirements of energy-harvesting smart windows . In this work, low-cost poly(3,4-(2,2-dimethylpropylenedioxy)thiophene) (PProDOT-Me 2 ) is presented for replacing expensive Pt and achieving a WO 3 -based PVCD with rapid bleaching speed. The device consists of the proposed WO 3 /PProDOT-Me 2 electrode, an electrolyte containing I − /I 3 − redox couple , and dye-sensitized TiO 2 photoanode. The PVCD changes state between colored and bleached by simply altering the open and short circuit of the device. The PVCD achieves high optical contrast of 45.1% at 680 nm with a fast bleaching time of 15.5 s, coloring time of 3.6 s, and cycling stability over 200 cycles. These unique characteristics result from the PProDOT-Me 2 could help accelerate the electrochromic process of WO 3 and fast transferring charges to the electrolyte that enhances photovoltaic performance . The accelerating mechanism is analyzed and the related experimental evaluations are executed. This study reveals promising prospects of the proposed WO 3 -PProDOT-Me 2 electrode for low-cost PVCD.