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Isotope-driven hydrogel smart windows for self-adaptive thermoregulation

Author

Listed:
  • Hongyi Tu

    (Fudan University)

  • Tong Wang

    (University of Shanghai for Science and Technology)

  • Min Chen

    (Fudan University)

  • Limin Wu

    (Fudan University)

Abstract

As a cutting-edge and environmentally friendly approach, thermochromic hydrogel smart windows show great potential in combating climate change and achieving carbon neutrality. However, the substantial absorption of near-infrared (NIR) energy by H2O poses an enormous challenge in enhancing the spectral responsiveness. Herein, we propose an ingenious concept of isotope-driven D2O-hydrogel smart windows, which can effectively resolve the inherent issue of NIR energy absorption associated with H2O, without compromising versatility. It facilitates near-optimal transmittance modulation across the entire solar spectrum (ΔΓSol = 91.97%), demonstrating a marked enhancement in NIR modulation of transmittance (ΔΓNIR) and reflectance (ΔRNIR) by ~16% and ~31%, respectively, in comparison to conventional H2O-hydrogel. Moreover, the integration of Ag-nanowires into D2O-hydrogel further substantially augments the regulation of longwave infrared emissivity ( $$\Delta {\varepsilon }_{{LWIR}}$$ Δ ε L W I R = 31.89%) while preserving a comprehensive modulation ratio (ΔΓSol = 66.02%, ΔRSol = 48.41%) that is not achieved by the existing thermochromic devices. This isotope-driven D2O-hydrogel smart window provides another design strategy for future energy-efficient windows.

Suggested Citation

  • Hongyi Tu & Tong Wang & Min Chen & Limin Wu, 2025. "Isotope-driven hydrogel smart windows for self-adaptive thermoregulation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-62432-3
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-62432-3
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