Black electrochromic ink with a straightforward method using copper oxide nanoparticle suspension

Electrochromic (EC) materials for smart windows must exhibit a dark colour and block visible light (wavelength = 380–780 nm) to reduce environmental impact. In particular, black tones are also desired, and there are many reports of attempts to create these dark tones using organic materials such as polymers. However, their fabrication methods are complicated, expensive, and may even use hazardous substances; moreover, they are often not sufficiently durable, such as upon exposure to ultraviolet light. There are some reported cases of black materials using the CuO system as an inorganic material, but the synthesis method was complicated and the functionality was not stable. We have found a method to synthesize CuO nanoparticles by simply heating basic copper carbonate and adjusting the pH with citric acid to easily obtain a suspension. The formation and functionality of CuO thin films were also demonstrated using the developed suspension. This research will enable the creation of EC smart windows using existing inorganic materials and methods, such as printing technology, and is the first step towards developing environment-friendly, cost-effective, and functional dark inorganic materials.