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Improved electrochromic performances of WO3-based thin films via addition of CNTs

  • Original Paper: Sol-gel and hybrid materials for dielectric, electronic, magnetic and ferroelectric applications
  • Published:
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Abstract

Construction of a composite WO3 film has been considered to be an important way to improving the electrochemical performances and electrochromic properties. Herein, we fabricated a composite film containing WO3 nanoparticles, chitosan (CS), and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) by a layer-by-layer technique (LbL). The composite film displays light black to dark blue over the potential range from 0 to −1.5 V. Compared with the WO3/CS film, the WO3/CS-CNTs film displays increased current densities, which supported a greater number of sites for Li+ ions intercalation and extraction. Furthermore, the electrochromic performance of the composite film is enhanced by incorporation of CNTs into the WO3 film, resulting in coloration efficiency of 79.2 cm2 C−1 and optical contrast of 13.5 % at 800 nm under a square wave potential from −1.5 to +1.5 V. Therefore, the improved electrochromic properties could be achieved using WO3 and CNTs composite film.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are thankful for the financial support from the Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 21301041), Postdoctoral Scientific Research Starting Foundation of Heilongjiang Province, China (No. LBH-Q15072), Harbin University of Commerce Doctor Start-up Fund Research (No. 12DW030), the Department of Education of Jilin Province (No. 2014349 and 2015431), Jilin Science and Technology Bureau (No. 20156418), Jilin Institute of Chemical Technology (No. 201343 and 2015031), and Natural Science Foundation of Heilongjiang Province of China (No. B201409).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Tourism and Cuisine, Chemistry Center, Harbin University of Commerce, No. 138, Tongda Road, Harbin, 150076, China

    Shuping Liu

  2. College of Food Engineering, Harbin University of Commerce, Harbin, 150076, China

    Wei Wang

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  1. Shuping Liu
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  2. Wei Wang
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Correspondence to Shuping Liu.

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Liu, S., Wang, W. Improved electrochromic performances of WO3-based thin films via addition of CNTs. J Sol-Gel Sci Technol 80, 480–486 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-016-4093-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-016-4093-1

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