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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Kinetics of coloration of anodic electrochromic films of WO3·H2O

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Polycrystalline layers of WO3·H2O are obtained by anodization of tungsten in 1 N H2SO4 at 70° C. The cathodic reduction of these layers in acid solutions causes the formation of blue WO3−x·H2O (0<x⩽:0.12) oxides. The kinetics of coloration are investigated by galvanostatic and potentiostatic techniques. The experimental results are compared with the theoretical data obtained by solving the diffusion equation for a constant flow of oxygen vacancies and for a time-dependent surface vacancy concentration. Except in the initial stage of coloration, the process controlling rate can be ascribed to the diffusion of oxygen vacancies from the oxide-electrolyte interface into the bulk of the layers. At low vacancy concentration, a barrier-limited proton transfer across the oxide-electrolyte interface seems to determine the kinetics of coloration.