Issue 34, 2024

Enhanced electrochromic properties and amphoteric coloration of V-doped WO3 supported by electronic structure optimization and oxygen vacancy-mediated Li+ capture structures

Abstract

As one of the most valuable electrochromic materials with in-depth multi-disciplinary applications, tungsten oxide (WO3) has the advantages of strong energy-saving ability and good environmental adaptability, but its poor coloring efficiency and short cycle life limit its commercial application. Here, V-doped WO3 electrochromic thin films (WO3-V-X%, X = 0, 1, 5, 10) with amphoteric color-changing properties were prepared using simple hydrothermal and annealing methods, which were enhanced by electronic structure optimization and oxygen vacancy-mediated Li+ trapping structures. Compared with the pure WO3 films, the Li+ diffusion rate of 1% V-doped WO3 (5.733 × 10−10 cm2 s−1) is 1.7 times higher than that of pure WO3 (3.345 × 10−10 cm2 s−1). The calculations based on density functional theory (DFT) showed that the electrochemical properties of the films were improved due to the change of the localized reduction properties of WO3 after V doping, which significantly modulates the electronic structure and serves as a structural support. Meanwhile, oxygen vacancies (VO) are formed when V is doped, and the presence of VO can trap Li+ to provide more diffusion and binding sites, which improves the diffusion rate of Li+ in doped WO3 films. Therefore, the improved electrochromic performance can be attributed to the stabilizing effect of V doping, the adsorption of Li+ after the formation of VO and the synergistic effect of the two together promote the rapid diffusion of ions and the rapid charge transfer in the films. This unique modulation strategy and facile synthesis route will open up new avenues for the modification and development of electrochromic materials.

Graphical abstract: Enhanced electrochromic properties and amphoteric coloration of V-doped WO3 supported by electronic structure optimization and oxygen vacancy-mediated Li+ capture structures

Supplementary files

Transparent peer review

To support increased transparency, we offer authors the option to publish the peer review history alongside their article.

View this article’s peer review history

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
04 May 2024
Accepted
22 Jul 2024
First published
24 Jul 2024

J. Mater. Chem. C, 2024,12, 13572-13584

Enhanced electrochromic properties and amphoteric coloration of V-doped WO3 supported by electronic structure optimization and oxygen vacancy-mediated Li+ capture structures

S. Nie, M. Ruan, Y. Lian, L. Zhao, J. Shi and Z. Liu, J. Mater. Chem. C, 2024, 12, 13572 DOI: 10.1039/D4TC01819B

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements