Nanoparticulate films of WO3 and MoO3 composites for enhancing UV light electrochromic transmittance variation and energy storage applications.

Green technologies for the manufacture of optical shutters retain a sustainable development. In this work, the electro-exploding wires and spray coating technologies are employed to deposit nanoparticulate (WO 3) 1-x (MoO 3) x composite films. MoO 3 NPs are introduced to enhance electrochromic (EC) transmittance variation of violet and UV light with wavelengths ranging from 330 to 450 nm. Measurements of EC performances of (WO 3) 1-x (MoO 3) x composite films in a potentiostat are carried out to discern beneficial from MoO 3 addition. It is observed that the diffusion coefficient and the charge density increase with an increment of MoO 3 concentration. The coloration efficiency at 430 nm raises apparently whereas that at 633 nm does not show a significant variation with increasing MoO 3 concentrations. In addition, the EC device with ∼12.5% of MoO 3 introduced reveals a much higher optical modulation at 430 nm. From the measurements of galvanostatic charge-discharge curves of EC films in the potentiostat, the areal capacitances of 12.9 and 14.0 mF/cm2 are estimated for pure and ∼12.5% MoO 3 introduced WO 3 EC films. The EC batteries are demonstrated and the enlarged energy storage capability with an addition of MoO 3 is observed. The simple introduction of MoO 3 into WO 3 nanoparticulate films compensates drawbacks of WO 3 films and enhances EC performances and energy storage capabilities. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]