The dynamic optical switch of plasmonic nanostructures is highly desirable due to its promising applications in many smart optical devices. To address the challenges in the reversibility and transmittance contrast of the plasmonic electrochromic devices, here, a strategy is reported to fabricate color switchable electrochromic films through electro-responsive dissolution and deposition of Ag on predefined hollow shells of Au/Ag alloy. Using the hollow Au/Ag alloy nanostructures as stable seeds for site-specific deposition of Ag, elimination of the random self-nucleation events is enabled and optimal reversibility in color switching is allowed. The hollow structure further enables excellent transmittance contrast between the bleached and colored states. With its additional advantages such as the convenience for preparation, high sensitivity, and field-tunable optical property, it is believed that this new electrochromic film represents a unique platform for designing novel smart optical devices.
Keywords: Au/Ag alloys; dynamic optical switching; electrochromic films; hollow shells; reversibility; surface plasmon resonance.
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