ABSTRACT
In recent years, the use of smart windows to adjust sunlight to achieve energy conversion has received increasing attention. In this paper, a novel smart window was easily prepared by using thermochromic hydrogels as an interlayer and indium tin oxide films as an electric heating layer. The shielding transmission rates of visible and near-infrared light reached 88.3 and 85.4% at the temperature of 25 °C, respectively. However, the transmittance at a light wavelength of 550 nm was greater than 70% after applying voltage. The smart windows with different components could possess thermochromic temperature ranging from 28 to 35 °C, which was suitable for daily life. The smart window could maintain a stable reversible thermochromic transition. Importantly, the time of light transition and the demand of energy efficiency could be adjusted by controlling the magnitude of the output voltage, which benefited the development of energy-efficient materials.
ABSTRACT
In order to improve the water absorbency of natural silk and extend its applications in wider areas, silk fibroin (SF)-based fibers were prepared by coaxial wet spinning. Using a custom-made wet spinning device with coaxial spinneret, continuous core-sheath fibers were finally obtained by adjusting the core dope into iota-carrageenan/polyacrylamide hot solution and sheath dope into SF/polyurethane solution. These core-sheath fibers were characterized with respect to morphology, SF secondary structure, mechanical property, and water absorbency. Fibers fabricated from 17 wt % SF/polyurethane solution presented the most regular morphology with homogeneous and circular cross-section. Double-layered hollow structure was observed in these fibers. ß-Sheet conformation was mainly adopted by the SF in fibers as indicated in XRD analysis and FTIR spectra. The fibers demonstrated higher absorbency than the raw silk and fine incorporation of long-lasting glowing pigment, indicating potential applications in water or thermal management textile and phototherapy.
