Methyl-viologen modified ZnO nanotubes for use in electrochromic devices

Efficiently changing optical properties (reflectance, transmittance, and absorbance) through reversible color changes of electrochromic (EC) materials is challenging and critical in achieving high-performance EC devices. In this work, we have prepared methyl-viologen modified ZnO nanotubes (NTs) as an electrode material, which exhibits good durability, a high transmittance modulation range (70%) and fast response times (6 s and 3 s for coloration and bleaching respectively). The results indicate the potential application of ZnO NTs in smart windows, optical displays, electronic papers and so on.