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Perovskite NdNiO3 Electrochromic Visualization Sensor
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1  School of Energy and Materials, Shanghai Polytechnic University, Shanghai 201209, China.
Academic Editor: Stefano Mariani

Abstract:

The application of electrochromic technology in the field of sensors is an emerging and promising direction. It utilizes the reversible color change of a material when a voltage is applied to convert an electrical or chemical signal, which is difficult to observe directly, into an optical signal (color change) that is directly visible. This study develops a reversible electrochromic sensor based on proton-mediated regulation in NdNiO3 thin films, enabling naked-eye visualization of weak electric field signals. The NdNiO3 electrochromic sensor leverages electric-field-controlled insertion/extraction of hydrogen ions (H+) within the NdNiO3 lattice to trigger a Mott transition. Under a positive electric field, H+ from the solution injects into the lattice, forming hydrogenated neodymium nickelate (HNdNiO3). This alters the electronic orbital occupancy of Ni3+ (double eg orbital occupation), transitioning the material from a metallic state (low resistance, high reflectivity) to an insulating state (high resistance, high absorption), accompanied by a significant decrease in visible-light transmittance (54.5% optical modulation). Applying a reverse electric field extracts H+, restoring the original metallic state and achieving reversible optical/electrical switching. This mechanism converts imperceptible electrical signals into intuitive optical readouts, combining high sensitivity, rapid response kinetics, nanoscale spatial manipulation capability, as well as excellent cyclic stability (94.9% of the initial optical modulation is still retained after 1150 cycles). As such, it provides a groundbreaking tool for applications spanning marine exploration, biomedicine, and smart windows.

Keywords: Electrochromic; Visualization Sensor; NdNiO3; Mott transition; high sensitivity

 
 
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