The optical and electrochromic properties of tungsten oxide thin layer: the effect of deposition time

Tungsten oxide (WO3) thin layers were prepared on Fluorine Tin Oxide glass using the electrodeposition method. WO3 layers were evaluated as a function of the deposition time (480 s, 600 s, 660 s and 720 s). SEM results showed that by increasing the deposition time, a gradual decrement in cracks on their surface occurred. The electrochromic properties of the WO3 thin layers were investigated in a nonaqueous LiClO4–PC electrolyte by means of optical transmittance, cyclic voltammogram (CV) measurements. The WO3 thin layer with the deposition of time 600 s exhibited a noticeable electrochromic performance with the variation of transmittance being up to 58.26% at 633nm. The CV measurements also revealed that the WO3 thin layer with the deposition time of 600 s had a high electrochemical reaction activity and reversibility due to its highly porous structure.