Preparation and Characterisation of Nano-Structured WO3-TiO2 Layers for Photoelectrochromic Devices

Abstract

Nano-structured WO3-TiO2 layers were prepared by the sol-gel route. To obtain transparent, porous and crack free layers up to 0.8 μ m with a single dipping cycle a templating strategy was used. As a template three-dimensionally network based on organically modified silane was introduced to the WO3 and TiO2 sols. The WO3 layers were dip-coated onto the conductive glass substrate (TCO) and the TiO2 layers on the top of the WO3 layer. The morphology and the structure of the layers were determined by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HR-TEM), Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDXS), Auger and Infrared spectroscopy. SEM image of the WO3-TiO2 layer confirmed the nano-porosity of the layers and give the size of the particles of about 10 nm for TiO2 and 30 nm for WO3 layer. Further analysis indicated that the titanium sol penetrates the WO3 layer. Particles in the WO3 layer consist of a crystalline monoclinic WO3 core surrounded by a 5–10 nm amorphous phase consisting of WO3, TiO2 and SiO2. The WO3-TiO2 layers were used to assemble all solid state photoelectrochromic (PE) devices. Under 1 sun irradiation (1000 W/m2) the visible transmittance of the PE device changes from 62% to 1.6%. The colouring and bleaching processes last about 10 minutes.