Low-Power Electrochromic Displays Based on Electrocatalytic Counter Electrodes and PVDF-HFP Gel Polymer Electrolyte

Electrochromic devices have emerged as promising candidates for non-emissive displays due to their particular photoelectric performance in complex lighting environments. They exhibit considerable potential in emerging fields such as Internet of Things terminals, flexible wearables and human–computer interaction interfaces. In this study, we developed a low-power electrochromic display based on a Pt/FTO (Fluorine doped tin oxide) electrocatalytic counter electrode and a Poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) porous gel electrolyte. The Pt catalyst enhances Br−/Br3− redox reactivity, which reduces the driving voltage from 2 V to 1 V, and accelerates the electrode reaction kinetics. It is systematically explained by the Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations and electrochemical characterization. Furthermore, we demonstrate a proof-of-concept multicolor display incorporating the electrocatalytic counter electrode with various viologen derivatives. This approach provides a significant advancement toward next-generation high-performance displays and is supportive of the development of energy-efficient optoelectronic devices.