Comparative analysis of the effect of post-annealing on CeO2 and DC Magnetron Sputtered WO3/ CeO2 nanorods thin films for smart windows

Abstract

This study investigates and evaluates thin films of WO3 (Tungsten Oxide) coated CeO2 (Cerium Oxide) Nanostructure (NR) for electrochromic applications. Using CH4N2O (Urea) and Ce(NO3)3.6H2O (Cerium Nitrate Hexahydrate) on a fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) base, cerium oxide nanorods were produced hydrothermally. Cerium Oxide nanorods were coated with a thin coating of WO3 using DC magnetron sputtering under argon gas at room temperature. In a three-electrode electrochemical system, thin sheets of manufactured WO3/CeO2 nanorods (NRs) served as the working electrode, saturated Hg/HgCl2 served as the reference electrode, and platinum wire served as the counter electrode. To produce the 0.5 M electrolyte, the H2SO4 solution was diluted in deionized (DI) water. Electrochromic tests revealed a 12.15 cm2/C coloring efficiency for annealed 10 µL HCl CeO2/WO3 film. A scanning electron microscope (SEM), an electrochemical analyzer, an X-ray diffraction spectrometer, and an ultraviolet-visible spectrometer were used to study the optical properties, composition, surface morphology, and electrochromic property of the generated thin films. Due to its high charge capacity and optical transmission properties, CeO2 nanorods with WO3 coating have proven to be a practical material for electrochromic devices (ECD).