Dynamic windows based on reversible metal electrodeposition electronically tint and bleach, enabling user control of light into and out of buildings. The operating mechanism is to reversibly electrodeposit a thin layer of metal (e.g., Cu and Bi) onto a transparent conductor to block light. Tinting to a desired opacity is constrained by a rough film morphology using direct current (DC) electrodeposition, limiting window switching speed. Here, we show that smoother films can be grown with pulsed electrodeposition with a 10% duty cycle and 1-Hz frequency because ions are able to diffuse past protrusions during the rest phase. While these films initially tint slower compared to DC plating, the films using this pulsing protocol reach 0.1% transmittance 45% faster. Finally, we show that pulsing enables consistent optical properties of dynamic windows after 2,400 cycles due to effective suppression of dendrite growth on the metal mesh counter electrode.

基于可逆金属电沉积电子染色和漂白的动态窗户，使用户能够控制进出建筑物的光线。其工作机制是将一薄层金属（例如铜和铋）可逆地电沉积到透明导体上以阻挡光线。使用直流 (DC) 电沉积时，着色到所需的不透明度受到粗糙薄膜形态的限制，从而限制了窗口切换速度。在这里，我们表明可以通过占空比为 10%、频率为 1 Hz 的脉冲电沉积来生长更光滑的薄膜，因为离子能够在静止阶段扩散经过突起。虽然这些薄膜最初着色速度比 DC 电镀慢，但使用这种脉冲协议的薄膜达到 0.1% 透射率的速度快了 45%。最后，我们表明，由于有效抑制了金属网对电极上的枝晶生长，脉冲在 2,400 次循环后能够实现动态窗口的一致光学特性。