Preparation and Characterization of Transparent Electrochromic Ti02 Thin Films Prepared by Alkoxide Route

Thin transparent electrochromatic Ti02 films on ITO (indium tin oxide) glass were prepared in a clean room by a dipping method using a solution of titanium tetra isopropoxide and ethanol with a small quantity of acetic acid in order to provide water through esterification reaction. The solution was stable for a few months. The dry powder from the sol-gel solution and the formed films were calcined at temperatures ranging from 270-100°C for 1 hour. The morphology, surface structure and electrochromic properties of the films were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and cyclic voltammeter, respectively. The thin films consisted of nanocrystalline Ti02 anatase particles which had been homogeneously deposited on the ITO glass.