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Review
. 2025 Apr 1;26(7):3260.
doi: 10.3390/ijms26073260.

Electrode Materials for Flexible Electrochromics

Martin Rozman  1 , Miha Lukšič  1
Affiliations
Review

Electrode Materials for Flexible Electrochromics

Martin Rozman et al. Int J Mol Sci. .

Abstract

Flexible electrochromic devices (ECDs) represent a distinctive category in optoelectronics, leveraging advanced materials to achieve tunable coloration under applied electric voltage. This review delves into recent advancements in electrode materials for ECDs, with a focus on silver nanowires, metal meshes, conductive polymers, carbon nanotubes, and transparent conductive ceramics. Each material is evaluated based on its manufacturing methods and integration potential. The analysis highlights the prominent role of transparent conductive ceramics and conductive polymers due to their versatility and scalability, while also addressing challenges such as environmental stability and production costs. Use of other alternative materials, such as metal meshes, carbon materials, nanowires and others, are presented here as a comparison as well. Emerging hybrid systems and advanced coating techniques are identified as promising solutions to overcome limitations regarding flexibility and durability. This review underscores the critical importance of electrode innovation in enhancing the performance, sustainability, and application scope of flexible ECDs for next-generation technologies.

Keywords: carbon nanotubes; conductive ceramics; conductive polymers; device architecture; electrochromism; flexible electrodes; metal mesh; silver nanowires; thin film.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to publish the results.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Different electrode materials and their implementation in flexible ECDs.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Examples of different architectures, showing emplacement of electrodes and its charge flow.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Manufacturing methods of common metal mesh electrodes.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Structures of common conductive polymers, showing polypyrrole (PPy) (a), polyaniline (PANI) (b), poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) (c), poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) (d), and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)/polystyrene Sulfonate (PEDOT/PSS) (e).
Figure 5
Figure 5
SEM image of an examples of commercial FTO thin film that is in use for electrochromic devices, solar cells, and other electronics.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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