Graphene nanoflakes: Foundation for improving solid state electrochemistry based electrochromic devices

Abstract

A significant role of graphene in the form of nano-sized flakes, employed in a very basic electrochromic device, has been reported in improving its performance. Prepared graphene nanoflakes which are transparent in nature has been used in a solid state electrochromic device as a tool to probe the kinetics of charge transport through the device. It has been observed that it works as a facilitating solid state electrolyte for the device which improves overall speed. Preparation of these nano-flakes from the graphene sheets have been done by chemical oxidation and hydrothermal treatment followed by microscopic and spectroscopic characterization. During the operation of the electrochromic device it has been observed form the electrochemistry that the graphene nanoflakes provide an efficient platform to transport charge between redox supporting reagent anchored with it and improve overall speed and performance of the device thus showing a capacitor-type behavior for quicker redox process. Real time UV–Vis spectroscopy has been used to track the kinetic of optical changes within the device. © 2019