Effect of cerium oxide nanorods growth time on the electrochromic properties of WO3/CeO2 hybrid films

In this study, the cerium oxide nanorods (CeO2) were grown on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) glass substrates by using a hydrothermal process at growth times of 4hrs, 6hrs and 12hrs and annealed at temperature 3500C. The grown samples were characterized by using Scanning electron spectroscopy (SEM), Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, and UV–Vis spectrometer. Tungsten oxide (WO3) film was deposited, on these hydrothermally grown nanorods (NRs), by using the DC sputtering process to develop WO3/CeO2 hybrid films. From the SEM and XRD analysis, CeO2 nanorods were observed at different growth times, and crystalline structures were observed respectively. The optical transmittance decreases with the increase in synthesis time, mainly due to the increase in nanorods' thickness. The diffusion coefficient of 11.24 × 10−11 cm2/s and the cathodic peak current of −10.1 mA was observed for 12-h WO3/CeO2 films and the coloration efficiency of 12 cm2/C was observed for 4-h WO3/CeO2 hybrid film.