The
structural and morphological control of durable valve metal oxides
with bandgaps over 5 eV (e.g., ZrO2) paves the way for
the development of bifunctional electrochemical energy devices with
both good stabilities and electronic conductivities. Herein, a tailored
synthesis of highly conductive off-stoichiometric ZrO2–x
nanofiber materials under a controlled reducing
atmosphere is reported. The bandgap and corresponding charge conductivity
of ZrO2–x
are simultaneously tuned
(in the range of visible colors (white, brown, and black)) by generating
reduced Zr3+ and oxygen vacancies. The morphological and
structural evolution of the ZrO2–x
nanofibers obtained under different reducing atmospheres are investigated
in detail. Electrochemical kinetics in aqueous and nonaqueous media
are promoted by employing a darker ZrO2–x
nanofiber electrode. The functionalizing valve metal oxides
with a facile charge transfer inspire an advanced design for future
electrochemical and electronic devices.