ELECTROCHROMIC CHARACTERIZATION OF SOL-GEL DEPOSITED COATINGS

Electrochromic devices have increasing application in large-area displ ay devices, switchable mirrors and smart windows. A variety of vacuum deposition technologies have been used to make electrochromic devices. The sol-gel process offers an alternative approach to the synthesis o f low-cost, high-quality electrochromic device layers. This paper disc usses the developments in sol-gel-deposited electrochromic films and a prototype;all sol-gel device with switching from 80% to 50% (550 nm). The sol-gel process involves the formation of oxide networks upon hyd rolysis-condensation of alkoxide precursors. In this study, we cover s ol-gel-deposited oxides of WO3, TiO2, Nb2O5, V2O5, Ni(OH)(2), Co(OH)(2 ) and CuOx. The coloration reaction voltammetry and spectral optical p roperties are presented for selected films. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.