The Electrochromism and Photoelectrochemical Performance of WO₃/Cu Composite Film Electrodes

Abstract

WO3/Cu composite film electrodes were synthesized by hydrothermal combined electrodeposition method. Characterization of samples was conducted by SEM, XRD and XPS, which showed WO3/Cu composite films had been synthesized. The diffusion coefficient, reversibility, response time, coloration efficiency and transmission rate of the samples were obtained by electrochemical and spectral measurements. The photocurrent and photoelectric catalysis degradation efficiency of the samples were obtained by photocurrent and photoelectric catalysis measurements. The WO3/Cu composite films improve electrochromic performance, photocurrent and photoelectric catalytic activity compared with pure WO3 nanoblocks, and the WO3/Cu composite film obtained by depositing Cu nanoparticles at 50 s shows the highest electrochromic performance, photocurrent and photoelectric catalytic activity. Meanwhile, the direct photocatalytic and electric catalytic activity of the composite film are also discussed. The combined effects of the lower band gap and the Schottky junction lead to significant enhancement in the electrochromic and photoelectrochemical properties of the WO3/Cu composite film.