# CMC-Enabled PEDOT:PSS Film for High-Performance Electrochromic Material

## TL;DR

A new electrochromic film was developed that can change color efficiently and quickly while being durable under various conditions.

## Contribution

The novel use of CMC-dispersed PEDOT:PSS on a CA film enables a high-performance, stable electrochromic material with mechanical and environmental insensitivity.

## Key findings

- The CPC film achieves a transmittance change from 60.1% to 3%.
- The film has a response time of 2 seconds and maintains performance after 100 bending cycles.
- It remains stable under various temperatures and humidity conditions.

## Abstract

Flexible, intelligent color-changing windows with excellent color-switching capability and fast response time rely significantly on conductive composite layers composed of electrochromic materials and flexible, transparent substrates. Herein, we developed a high-performance electrochromic film (CPC) with mechanical, humidity, and temperature insensitivity by coating sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)-dispersed PEDOT:PSS onto a CA film. In the CPC system, CMC not only effectively enhances interfacial bonding and compatibility between the hydrophobic CA film and the hydrophilic PEDOT:PSS but also enables uniform and stable deposition of PEDOT:PSS on the CA film. As a result, the designed CPC demonstrates a high optical modulation capability (the transmittance changes from 60.1% to 3%) and a response time of 2 s. In addition, the CPC features the advantages of mechanical-, humidity-, and temperature-insensitive electrochromic distinctions, where it outputs the stable coloring efficiency with 100-time bending treatment, various temperatures, and humidity in an all-day outdoor environment. The developed CPC electrochromic film offers new insights into promoting the structural simplification and sustainability of electrochromic materials.