Electrodeposited Tungsten Trioxide (WO3) Thin Films for Electrochromic Applications

Abstract

The need of smart and innovative technology with energy saving approach is the main and serious concern while dealing with fastest growing urbanization and civilization. The smart technologies like electrochromic supercapacitors are beneficial in multifunctional way by providing energy storage systems with visual and reversible colour changes in many applications such as smart windows, electrochromic goggles, automotive mirrors, sunroofs, displays and so on. Herein, nanoporous WO3 thin film is prepared by using cathodic electrodeposition technique and used to study electrochromic as well as electrochemical properties. The bi-functionality of the electrode was confirmed by electrochemical tests including CV, GCD, EIS and chrono methods. The film shows greater coloration efficiency up to 52.61 cm2/C with an aerial capacitance 2.8 mF /cm2. Also, film shows faster switching kinetics as faster coloration and bleaching times like 1.88 and 2.6 s respectively. Hence, electrodeposited WO3 can be a good candidate for bi-functional electrochromic supercapacitors.