Enhancement of electrochromic properties using nanostructured amorphous tungsten trioxide thin films

Electrochromic technologies have recently attracted attention due to their energy-saving performance for reducing green gas emissions. The materials design and preparation of electrochromic materials with sufficient microstructure and crystallographic features for suitable ion intercalation/deintercalation are essential for high performance and efficiency. In the present work, nanostructured amorphous tungsten trioxide (WO3) films are electrodeposited to enhance electrochromic properties by controlling the pH of electrolytes. Electron microscopy and spectroelectrochemical analysis demonstrate that smaller grain sizes result in larger electrochemical reactive surface areas and shorter ion diffusion lengths. Consequently, the ions efficiently intercalated and deintercalated during the coloring and bleaching states, respectively. In particular, prepared WO3 films at electrolyte pH 1.4 demonstrate high optical modulation (74.83%) and good transmittance switching speeds (1.56 and 2.06 s during coloring and bleaching, respectively) at 650 nm, as well as comparable coloration efficiency (61.92 cm2 C−1 at 650 nm).