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Mimicking Nature's Butterflies: Electrochromic Devices with Dual‐Sided Differential Colorations
Author(s) -
Chen Jian,
Wang Zhen,
Liu Chenglong,
Chen Zhigang,
Tang Xueqing,
Wu Qi,
Zhang Shu,
Song Ge,
Cong Shan,
Chen Qin,
Zhao Zhigang
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
advanced materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 10.707
H-Index - 527
eISSN - 1521-4095
pISSN - 0935-9648
DOI - 10.1002/adma.202007314
Subject(s) - electrochromism , materials science , optoelectronics , optics , nanotechnology , electrode , physics , chemistry
Some butterfly species such as the orange oakleaf ( Kallima inachus ) have strikingly different colors on the dorsal (front) sides of their wings compared to those on the ventral (back) sides of their wings, which helps camouflage the butterflies from predators and attract potential mates. However, few human‐made materials, devices, and technologies can mimic such differential coloring for a long time. Here, a new type of Janus‐structured two‐sided electrochromic device is developed that, upon application of different voltages, exhibits a coloration state on one side that is distinctly different from that on the other side. This is achieved by inserting an optically thin (4–8 nm) metallic layer with a complex refractive index, such as a layer composed of tungsten, titanium, copper or silver, into typical electrochromic structures.