PLASMA MODIFIED $WO3$ HYBRIDS WITH ALTERED DONOR GROUPS FOR FLEXIBLE ELECTROCHROMIC APPLICATIONS

Abstract

This study reports on the preparation of hybrids of tungsten trioxide/polythiophene ($WO3/PTh$) and tungstentrioxide/polyfuran ($WO3/PFu$) using a rotating capacitively-coupled radio frequency (rf) plasma process. The prepared hybridcharacteristics were measured using scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) and Xraydiffraction analysis (XRD). $WO3$, $WO3/PTh$, and $WO3/PFu$ thin films were deposited onto flexible substrates using anelectron beam evaporation technique for high electrochromic performance purposes. The effect of thiophene and furanmoieties on the optical and electrochromic properties of flexible hybrid-based ECDs was investigated using optical andelectrochemical measurements. The $WO3/PTh$-based ECD, in particular, showed marked improvements in cathodicelectrochromism over $WO3-based$ ECD: an optical contrast of 33% at 750 nm, faster switching times (bleaching time: 1.63 s,coloration time: 0.41 s), and a coloration efficiency of 502 $cm2/C$.