Mechanism of Optical Reflectance Enhancement on Ag Electrodeposition-based Electrochromic Cells by Introduction of Citric Acid (Supporting Information)

A citric acid was added to the electrolyte as an capping agent to effectively enhance the reflectance of the Ag deposition-based electrochromic (EC) cells. The electrochemical properties of EC electrolytes containing different concentrations of citric acid were compared and the surface morphology of Ag deposited in these electrolytes were also analyzed. The redox potential of Ag+/Ag was not changed in the presence of citric acid, but the rate of consumption of Ag+ in the deposition was significantly affected by the citric acid especially in case of high concentration. As adding citric acid, the increasing of reflectance of Ag deposits in total wavelength region is increased, typical at the [Silver nitrate] : [Citric acid] is 1 : 2, the reflectance in the wavelength range (400–580 nm) is increased more, it is leading to specular mirror appearance. The mechanism for enhancement of the reflectance was discussed in terms of surface morphology of the Ag deposits and deposition behavior of the Ag nanoparticle.

将柠檬酸作为封端剂添加至电解液中，以有效提升基于银沉积的电致变色（EC）电池的反射率。对比了含有不同浓度柠檬酸的电致变色电解质的电化学性质，并对这些电解液中沉积的银的表面形貌进行了分析。在柠檬酸的存在下，Ag+/Ag的氧化还原电位未发生改变，但柠檬酸对银离子沉积过程中银离子消耗速率的影响尤为显著，尤其在高浓度情况下。随着柠檬酸的添加，银沉积在总波长范围内的反射率增加，尤其是在[硝酸银]：[柠檬酸]的比例为1：2时，波长范围（400–580 nm）内的反射率增加更为明显，从而呈现出镜面反射的外观。反射率提升的机制从银沉积的表面形貌和银纳米粒子的沉积行为两方面进行了讨论。