Abstract: Disclosed herein are electrochromic electrodes. The electrochromic electrodes can comprise a conducting layer; an electrochromic layer; and a conformal hole blocking layer; wherein the electrochromic layer is disposed between the conducting layer and the hole blocking layer such that the electrochromic layer is in electrical contact with the conducting layer and the hole blocking layer. The electrochromic electrodes disclosed herein can exhibit improved properties compared to an electrode comprising the same conducting layer and electrochromic layer but without the conformal hole blocking layer. For example, the electrochromic electrodes can have a reduced photochromic effect as compared to an electrode comprising the same conducting layer and electrochromic layer but without the conformal hole blocking layer. Methods of making and methods of use of the electrochromic electrodes are also discussed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are composite films comprising a plurality of nanostructured metal oxide crystals dispersed within a proton conducting polymer phase, wherein the plurality of nanostructured metal oxide crystals have an average particle size of from 1 nm to 20 nm, and wherein the composite film comprises from 20% to 90% by volume of the plurality of nanostructured metal oxide crystals relative to the composite film. The composite film can have a proton conductivity of 10?8 S/cm or more at a temperature of 100° C. or more.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are porous electrochromic niobium oxide films comprising a plurality of niobium oxide nanocrystals, wherein the plurality of niobium oxide nanocrystals comprise niobium oxide having a formula of NbOx where x represents the average Nb:O ratio in the niobium oxide and where x is from 2 to 2.6. Also disclosed herein are methods of making the porous electrochromic niobium oxide films, methods of use of the porous electrochromic niobium oxide films, and devices comprising the porous electrochromic niobium oxide films.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are nanostructured conducting films. The nanostructured conducting films can comprise a nanocrystal phase comprising a plurality of nanocrystals comprising a first metal chalcogenide, the nanocrystal phase being dispersed within a continuous phase comprising a second metal chalcogenide, and wherein the nanocrystal phase, the continuous phase, or a combination thereof further comprises a dopant. In some examples, the first metal chalcogenide and/or the second metal chalcogenide comprise a metal oxide. Also disclosed herein are transparent conducting oxide films having heterogeneous dopant distributions, the films having high mobility, good conductivity, or combinations thereof. Also described herein are methods of making and methods of use of the nanostructured conducing films described herein.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are electrochromic devices. The electrochromic devices can comprise: an electrochromic electrode comprising an electrochromic layer and a first conducting layer; an electrolyte comprising an ion source; and a counter electrode comprising a second conducting layer; wherein the electrochromic electrode is in electrical contact with the counter electrode; and wherein the electrochromic electrode and the counter electrode are in electrochemical contact with the electrolyte. In some examples, the electrochromic devices can have s charge capacity of 10 mC/cm2 or more after being photocharged for 20 minutes or less at an applied electrical bias of 2 V or less.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are electrochromic electrodes. The electrochromic electrodes can comprise a conducting layer; an electrochromic layer; and a conformal hole blocking layer; wherein the electrochromic layer is disposed between the conducting layer and the hole blocking layer such that the electrochromic layer is in electrical contact with the conducting layer and the hole blocking layer. The electrochromic electrodes disclosed herein can exhibit improved properties compared to an electrode comprising the same conducting layer and electrochromic layer but without the conformal hole blocking layer. For example, the electrochromic electrodes can have a reduced photochromic effect as compared to an electrode comprising the same conducting layer and electrochromic layer but without the conformal hole blocking layer. Methods of making and methods of use of the electrochromic electrodes are also discussed.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrochromic nanocomposite film. In an exemplary embodiment, the electrochromic nanocomposite film, includes (1) a solid matrix of oxide based material and (2) transparent conducting oxide (TCO) nanostructures embedded in the matrix. In a further embodiment, the electrochromic nanocomposite film farther includes a substrate upon which the matrix is deposited. The present invention also provides a method of preparing an electrochromic nanocomposite film.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are nanostructured conducting films. The nanostructured conducting films can comprise a nanocrystal phase comprising a plurality of nanocrystals comprising a first metal chalcogenide, the nanocrystal phase being dispersed within a continuous phase comprising a second metal chalcogenide, and wherein the nanocrystal phase, the continuous phase, or a combination thereof further comprises a dopant. In some examples, the first metal chalcogenide and/or the second metal chalcogenide comprise a metal oxide. Also disclosed herein are transparent conducting oxide films having heterogeneous dopant distributions, the films having high mobility, good conductivity, or combinations thereof. Also described herein are methods of making and methods of use of the nanostructured conducing films described herein.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are electrochromic devices. The electrochromic devices can comprise: an electrochromic-thermochromic electrode comprising a first conducting layer and an electrochromic-thermochromic layer, wherein the first conducting layer is in electrical contact with the electrochromic-thermochromic layer, and wherein the electrochromic-thermochromic layer comprises a material exhibiting electrochromic and thermochromic behavior; a counter electrode comprising a counter layer and a second conducting layer, wherein the second conducting layer is in electrical contact with the counter layer; and a non-intercalating electrolyte; wherein the first conducting layer is in electrical contact with the second conducting layer; and wherein the electrochromic-thermochromic layer and the counter layer are in electrochemical contact with the non-intercalating electrolyte.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein provide an electrochromic device. In an exemplary embodiment, the electrochromic device includes (1) a substrate and (2) a film supported by the substrate, where the film includes transparent conducting oxide (TCO) nanostructures. In a further embodiment, the electrochromic device further includes (a) an electrolyte, where the nanostructures are embedded in the electrolyte, resulting in an electrolyte, nanostructure mixture positioned above the substrate and (b) a counter electrode positioned above the mixture. In a further embodiment, the electrochromic device further includes a conductive coating deposited on the substrate between the substrate and the mixture. In a further embodiment, the electrochromic device further includes a second substrate positioned above the mixture.

Abstract: Described is an electrochromic nanocomposite film comprising a solid matrix of an oxide based material, the solid matrix comprising a plurality of transparent conducting oxide (TCO) nanostructures dispersed in the solid matrix and a lithium salt dispersed in the solid matrix. Also described is a near infrared nanostructured electrochromic device having a functional layer comprising the electrochromic nanocomposite film.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein provide an electrochromic device. In an exemplary embodiment, the electrochromic device includes (1) a substrate and (2) a film supported by the substrate, where the film includes transparent conducting oxide (TCO) nanostructures. In a further embodiment, the electrochromic device further includes (a) an electrolyte, where the nanostructures are embedded in the electrolyte, resulting in an electrolyte, nanostructure mixture positioned above the substrate and (b) a counter electrode positioned above the mixture. In a further embodiment, the electrochromic device further includes a conductive coating deposited on the substrate between the substrate and the mixture. In a further embodiment, the electrochromic device further includes a second substrate positioned above the mixture.

Abstract: Described is an electrochromic nanocomposite film comprising a solid matrix of an oxide based material, the solid matrix comprising a plurality of transparent conducting oxide (TCO) nanostructures dispersed in the solid matrix and a lithium salt dispersed in the solid matrix. Also described is a near infrared nanostructured electrochromic device having a functional layer comprising the electrochromic nanocomposite film.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrochromic nanocomposite film. In an exemplary embodiment, the electrochromic nanocomposite film, includes (1) a solid matrix of oxide based material and (2) transparent conducting oxide (TCO) nanostructures embedded in the matrix. In a further embodiment, the electrochromic nanocomposite film farther includes a substrate upon which the matrix is deposited. The present invention also provides a method of preparing an electrochromic nanocomposite film.

Abstract: The invention described herein provides for thin films and methods of making comprising inorganic semiconductor-nanocrystals dispersed in semiconducting-polymers in high loading amounts. The invention also describes photovoltaic devices incorporating the thin films.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device having a first electrode layer, a high resistivity transparent film disposed on the first electrode, a second electrode layer, and an inorganic photoactive layer disposed between the first and second electrode layers, wherein the inorganic photoactive layer is disposed in at least partial electrical contact with the high resistivity transparent film, and in at least partial electrical contact with the second electrode. The photoactive layer has a first inorganic material and a second inorganic material different from the first inorganic material, wherein the first and second inorganic materials exhibit a type II band offset energy profile, and wherein the photoactive layer has a first population of nanostructures of a first inorganic material and a second population of nanostructures of a second inorganic material.

Abstract: A process for forming functionalized nanorods. The process includes providing a substrate, modifying the substrate by depositing a self-assembled monolayer of a bi-functional molecule on the substrate, wherein the monolayer is chosen such that one side of the bi-functional molecule binds to the substrate surface and the other side shows an independent affinity for binding to a nanocrystal surface, so as to form a modified substrate. The process further includes contacting the modified substrate with a solution containing nanocrystal colloids, forming a bound monolayer of nanocrystals on the substrate surface, depositing a polymer layer over the monolayer of nanocrystals to partially cover the monolayer of nanocrystals, so as to leave a layer of exposed nanocrystals, functionalizing the exposed nanocrystals, to form functionalized nanocrystals, and then releasing the functionalized nanocrystals from the substrate.

Abstract: The invention described herein provides for thin films and methods of making comprising inorganic semiconductor-nanocrystals dispersed in semiconducting-polymers in high loading amounts. The invention also describes photovoltaic devices incorporating the thin films.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device having a first electrode layer, a high resistivity transparent film disposed on the first electrode, a second electrode layer, and an inorganic photoactive layer disposed between the first and second electrode layers, wherein the inorganic photoactive layer is disposed in at least partial electrical contact with the high resistivity transparent film, and in at least partial electrical contact with the second electrode. The photoactive layer has a first inorganic material and a second inorganic material different from the first inorganic material, wherein the first and second inorganic materials exhibit a type II band offset energy profile, and wherein the photoactive layer has a first population of nanostructures of a first inorganic material and a second population of nanostructures of a second inorganic material.

Abstract: A process for forming functionalized nanorods. The process includes providing a substrate, modifying the substrate by depositing a self-assembled monolayer of a bi-functional molecule on the substrate, wherein the monolayer is chosen such that one side of the bi-functional molecule binds to the substrate surface and the other side shows an independent affinity for binding to a nanocrystal surface, so as to form a modified substrate. The process further includes contacting the modified substrate with a solution containing nanocrystal colloids, forming a bound monolayer of nanocrystals on the substrate surface, depositing a polymer layer over the monolayer of nanocrystals to partially cover the monolayer of nanocrystals, so as to leave a layer of exposed nanocrystals, functionalizing the exposed nanocrystals, to form functionalized nanocrystals, and then releasing the functionalized nanocrystals from the substrate.