Exactly 50 years ago, the first article on electrochromism was published. Today electrochromic materials are highly popular in various devices. Interest in nanostructured electrochromic and nanocomposite organic/inorganic nanostructured electrochromic materials has increased in the last decade. These materials can enhance the electrochemical and electrochromic properties of devices related to them. This article describes electrochromic materials, proposes their classification and systematization for organic inorganic and nanostructured electrochromic materials, identifies their advantages and shortcomings, analyzes current tendencies in the development of nanomaterials used in electrochromic coatings (films) and their practical use in various optical devices for protection from light radiation, in particular, their use as light filters and light modulators for optoelectronic devices, as well as methods for their preparation. The modern technologies of “Smart Windows”, which are based on chromogenic materials and liquid crystals, are analyzed, and their advantages and disadvantages are also given. Various types of chromogenic materials are presented, examples of which include photochromic, thermochromic and gasochromic materials, as well as the main physical effects affecting changes in their optical properties. Additionally, this study describes electrochromic technologies based on WO₃ films prepared by different methods, such as electrochemical deposition, magnetron sputtering, spray pyrolysis, sol–gel, etc. An example of an electrochromic “Smart Window” based on WO₃ is shown in the article. A modern analysis of electrochromic devices based on nanostructured materials used in various applications is presented. The paper discusses the causes of internal and external size effects in the process of modifying WO₃ electrochromic films using nanomaterials, in particular, GO/rGO nanomaterials.

Carbon nanotube-reinforced polymer composites were fabricated by high shear mixing. The microstructure and the electrical properties of the carbon nanotube–polymer composites were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and electrical resistance measurement. We found that the carbon nanotube composites showed high electrical conductivity (1.5 S m⁻¹) at 7.0 wt% of carbon nanotubes, and the increase in thickness enhanced the electrical conductivity of the composites. The multifunctional properties of the carbon nanotube composites were also investigated for use in sensing the freezing temperature and also in deicing by self-heating. The results showed that the carbon nanotube–polymer composites had high temperature sensitivity in the freezing temperature range from −5 to 5 C and an excellent heating performance due to the Joule heating effect. The carbon nanotube composites are promising to be used as smart coating materials for deicing by self-heating as well as by detection of the freezing temperature.

Given the continued challenge of dispersion, for practical purposes, it is of interest to evaluate the impact of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) at different states of clustering on the eventual performance properties of cement paste. This study evaluated the clustering of MWCNTs and the resultant effect on the mechanical and electrical properties when incorporated into cement paste. Cement pastes containing different concentrations of MWCNTs (up to 0.5% by mass of cement) with/without surfactant were characterized. MWCNT clustering was assessed qualitatively in an aqueous solution through visual observation, and quantitatively in cement matrices using a scanning electron microscopy technique. Additionally, the corresponding 28-day compressive strength, tensile strength, and electrical conductivity were measured. Results showed that the use of surfactant led to a downward shift in the MWCNT clustering size distribution in the matrices of MWCNT/cement paste, indicating improved dispersion of MWCNTs. The compressive strength, tensile strength, and electrical conductivity of the composites with surfactant increased with MWCNT concentration and were higher than those without surfactant at all concentrations.