Engineering Self-Adaptive Multi-Response Thermochromic Hydrogel for Energy-Saving Smart Windows and Wearable Temperature-Sensing

Buildings account for & AP;40% of the total energy consumption. In addition, it is challenging to control the indoor temperature in extreme weather. Therefore, energy-saving smart windows with light regulation have gained increasing attention. However, most emerging base materials for smart windows have disadvantages, including low transparency at low temperatures, ultra-high phase transition temperature, and scarce applications. Herein, a self-adaptive multi-response thermochromic hydrogel (PHC-Gel) with dual temperature and pH response is engineered through "one-pot" integration tactics. The PHC-Gel exhibits excellent mechanical, adhesion, and electrical conductivity properties. Notably, the low critical solubility temperature (LCST) of PHC-Gel can be regulated over a wide temperature range (20-35 & DEG;C). The outdoor practical testing reveals that PHC-Gel has excellent light transmittance at low temperatures and radiation cooling performances at high temperatures, indicating that PHC-Gel can be used for developing energy-saving windows. Actually, PHC-Gel-based thermochromic windows show remarkable visible light transparency (Tlum & AP; 95.2%) and solar modulation (oTsol & AP; 57.2%). Interestingly, PHC-Gel has superior electrical conductivity, suggesting that PHC-Gel can be utilized to fabricate wearable signal-response and temperature sensors. In summary, PHC-Gel has broad application prospects in energy-saving smart windows, smart wearable sensors, temperature monitors, infant temperature detection, and thermal management. Herein, a self-adaptive multi-response thermochromic hydrogel (PHC-Gel) with dual temperature/pH response w as engineered through "one-pot" integration tactics. The PHC-Gel exhibited excellent mechanical, adhesion, and electrical-conductivity properties. Notably, PHC-Gel based thermochromic windows showed remarkable visible light transparency and solar modulation. Furthermore, PHC-Gel could be utilized to fabricate wearable signal-response and temperature sensors. Therefore, PHC-Gel have broad application prospects.image