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Propylene glycol-assisted seed layer-free hydrothermal synthesis of nanostructured WO3 thin films for electrochromic applications

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Abstract

This research article presents an overview of the hydrothermal synthesis of nanostructured tungsten oxide (WO3) and its electrochromic (EC) performance. A remarkable evolution in the past few years of producing pure and fine WO3 nanostructures using mild hydrothermal synthesis has received great attention. The hydrothermal process is highly suited for producing monodispersed nanoparticles with control over size and morphology, low processing temperature, and easy synthesis. In this article, we developed a facile seed layer-free hydrothermal approach for preparing WO3 thin films with improved EC performance. Structural and morphological properties were studied using X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The electrochemical stability of the propylene glycol-assisted nanostructured WO3 film was examined in lithium per chlorate-propylene carbonate (LiClO4-PC) electrolyte for prolonged color/bleach cycles. The results showed an improvement in electrochemical stability with fast response time.

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Abbreviations

EC:

Electrochromic

DDW:

Double distilled water

SCE:

Standard calomel electrode

He–Ne:

Helium–Neon

CV:

Cyclic voltammogram

CC:

Chronocoulometric

Q i :

Intercalated charge (C)

CE:

Coloration efficiency (cm2 C−1)

A :

Area (cm2)

T b :

Transmittance of thin films in the bleached states (%)

T c :

Transmittance of thin films in the colored states (%)

ΔOD:

Optical density (dimensionless)

K α :

Emission lines in X ray Diffraction

a, b and c with α, β and γ :

Lattice parameters of the unit cell

Θ:

Diffracting angle in XRD

Li+ :

Lithium

e − :

Electron

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to express gratitude to the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), New Delhi, India, for full financial support (SERB Sanction Order No and date: SB/FTP/PS-030/2013, Date: 21.02.2014).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. D. Y. Patil College of Engineering and Technology, Kasaba Bawada, Kolhapur, 416006, Maharashtra, India

    A. V. Kadam

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  1. A. V. Kadam
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Kadam, A.V. Propylene glycol-assisted seed layer-free hydrothermal synthesis of nanostructured WO3 thin films for electrochromic applications. J Appl Electrochem 47, 335–342 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10800-016-1011-8

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