In this study, we report a facile and effective approach for large-scale production of nitrogendoped TiO 2 nanocrystals (UNTs) by a combination of ultrasonic irradiation and electrochemistry at room temperature using NH 4 NO 3 electrolyte as the nitrogen source. The as-prepared UNTs were then characterized by x-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The results indicated that the nitrogen content of UNTs reached 9.3% and bandgap energy of 2.62 eV, thus gave the high photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue under visible light irradiation. The mechanism for the formation of UNTs by ultrasonic-assisted electrochemical approach was also proposed.
PANI/nc-TiO2/ITO composite films were prepared by electrochemical method where the monomer aniline was polymerized onto nano-porous TiO2/ITO films (PANI/nc-TiO2/ITO). The PANI/nc-TiO2 heterojunctions were formed in the composite films due to the insertion of PANI in nano-porous TiO2 particles. PANI/ITO films exhibited a reversible electrochromic display (ECD) performance when cycled in 0.1M LiClO4 + propylene carbonate. The response times of the electrochromic coloration and bleaching of the PANI/nc-TiO2/ITO electrode were 15 s and 20 s, respectively. Electrochromic efficiency of the films reached a value as large as 12.25 cm2´C-1. Taking advantage of the large EC efficiency and electrochemical stability as well as the simplicity of the fabrication process, PANI/nc-TiO2 composite films can be used for preparation of electrochromic smart windows, in term of the large-area production in particular.
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