Stable and thermochromic organohydrogels for thermostatically controlled display windows

Thermochromic windows can reduce temperature changes, thereby reducing electricity consumption. Traditional hydrogel-based thermochromic windows suffer from volatilization and freezing, reducing their utility as protective enclosures for display cases. Here, we present a dual -layer organohydrogel system (DG), consisting of thermochromic organohydrogels that provide both heat shielding and heat retention for smart windows. The cononsolvency caused by polyethylene glycol (PEG) is introduced to sharply reduce the thermochromic temperature to below 10 degrees C for applicability in thermostatically controlled display windows by strengthening hydrogen bonding between mediums and affecting the interaction between copolymer chains and water molecules. PEG imparts antifreeze, liquid retention, and regenerative qualities to DG, enhancing its stability and recyclability. Organohydrogels exhibit over 90 % light transmittance, obstruct 99.17 % of solar heat, and scatter 23.14 % of mid -infrared light. Within 24 h, DG conserves energy at high rates of 37.22 % and 27.13 % in hot and cold settings, respectively. Thus, aims of DG are to maintain a stable temperature within thermostatic display cases and promoting emissions mitigation.