Hybrid electrochromic film based on polyaniline and TiO2 nanorods array

Abstract

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanorods (NRs) array was successfully prepared via hydrothermal method on fluorine doped tinoxide (FTO) coated transparent conductive glass substrate. The hybrid film of polyaniline (PANI)/TiO2 NRs was achieved through electrochemical polymerization of aniline onto the TiO2 NRs array film. The electrochromic and optical properties of the hybrid film were investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV), amperometric i–t and UV–vis spectroscopy. The results indicate that the hybrid film has long term stability and reversible color changes after cyclic voltammetry scans for 200circles. The PANI/TiO2 NRs hybrid film can show three different colors. Response time of PANI/TiO2 NRs hybrid film is about 0.7s and 2.6s at different states, respectively. The TiO2 NRs array and the loose, porous surface among the hybrid film facilitate charge transmission and also provide large surface area for electrochemical reaction.