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Nanofluid Based on Glucose‐Derived Carbon Dots Functionalized with [Bmim]Cl for the Next Generation of Smart Windows
Author(s) -
Gonçalves Helena M. R.,
Pereira Rui F. P.,
Lepleux Emmanuel,
Carlier Thomas,
Pacheco Louis,
Pereira Sónia,
Valente Artur J. M.,
Fortunato Elvira,
Duarte Abel J.,
de Zea Bermudez Verónica
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
advanced sustainable systems
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.499
H-Index - 24
ISSN - 2366-7486
DOI - 10.1002/adsu.201900047
Subject(s) - nanofluid , materials science , surface modification , chemical engineering , transmittance , surface plasmon resonance , nanotechnology , nanomaterials , optoelectronics , nanoparticle , engineering
The design of new advanced materials and technologies is essential for the development of smart windows for the next generation of energy‐efficient buildings. Here, it is demonstrated that the functionalization of glucose‐derived carbon dots with 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride results in a self‐standing, water‐soluble, viscous, reusable nanofluid with self‐improving conductivity, thermotropy around 30–40 °C, and ultraviolet blocking ability. Its synthesis is straightforward, clean, fast, and cheap. At 36 °C (hot summer day), a sun‐actuated thermotropic (TT) device incorporating a 95% w/w nanofluid aqueous solution exhibits a transmittance variation (Δ T ) of 9% at 550/1000 nm, which is amplified to 47/31% via the surface plasmon resonance effect. An integrated self‐healing system enabling independent sun‐actuated TT and voltage‐actuated electrochromic (EC) operation is also produced. The low‐energy EC device offers bright hot and dark cold modes (Δ T = 68/64%), excellent cycling stability, unprecedented coloration efficiency values (−1.73 × 10 6 /−1.67 × 10 6 cm 2 C −1 (coloring) and +1.12 × 10 7 /+1.08 × 10 7 cm 2 C −1 (bleaching) at ±2.5 V), and impressive memory effect. The disruptive design and sustainable synthesis of the new nanofluid proposed here will foster the agile development of novel products with improved ecological footprint.