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Electrochromism in Self-Assembled Porous Thin Films of Hexagonal Tungsten Trioxide Microspheres Prepared by Aqueous Chemical Growth

Journal article published in 2013 by B. T. Sone, S. N. Mailu, T. Malwela, E. Coetsee, H. C. Swart, E. I. Iwuoha ORCID, M. Maaza
This paper is available in a repository.
This paper is available in a repository.

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Abstract

WO3 thin films were grown by self-assembly, at 80-90 ˚C, on un-seeded conductive SnO2:F-glass through the method of Aqueous Chemical Growth (ACG). The thin films produced contained urchin-like microspheres of WO3, 1-2 μm thick. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy showed these microspheres to consist of a thick central core on which grew hair-like protrusions 200-400 nm long and 50-100 nm wide. X-ray Diffraction analysis, post annealing at 500 ˚C, revealed WO3 to be in the hexagonal phase while X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy confirmed the presence of W in the W6+ state. Focused Ion Beam-Field Emission SEM revealed a porous thin film grown for 18-24 h, averagely 3 μm thick, that offers a wide surface area and shorter diffusion path-ways for H+ insertion in a 0.1M H2SO4 electrolyte. The fairly fast optical switching times (15-25s) observed at a scan rate of 50 mV/s for such highly crystalline thin films can be attributed to the porous nature of the films. A diffusion coefficient for H+ of 1.66 x 10-11 cm2/s and 1.33 x 10-11 cm2/s at 50 mV/s was observed during H+ insertion/de-insertion. We propose that by reducing film growth time, film thickness can be reduced rendering the method a viable one for producing WO3 thin films amenable to electrochromic devices.