Electrochromism in copper oxide thin films

Conference · Tue Aug 15 04:00:00 EDT 2000

OSTI ID:771915

Richardson, T J ^[1]; Slack, J L; Rubin, M D

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1. LBNL Library

Transparent thin films of copper(I) oxide prepared on conductive SnO2:F glass substrates by anodic oxidation of sputtered copper films or by direct electrodeposition of Cu2O transformed reversibly to opaque metallic copper films when reduced in alkaline electrolyte. In addition, the same Cu2O films transform reversibly to black copper(II) oxide when cycled at more anodic potentials. Copper oxide-to-copper switching covered a large dynamic range, from 85% and 10% photopic transmittance, with a coloration efficiency of about 32 cm2/C. Gradual deterioration of the switching range occurred over 20 to 100 cycles. This is tentatively ascribed to coarsening of the film and contact degradation caused by the 65% volume change on conversion of Cu to Cu2O. Switching between the two copper oxides (which have similar volumes) was more stable and more efficient (CE = 60 cm2/C), but covered a smaller transmittance range (60% to 44% T). Due to their large electrochemical storage capacity and tolerance for alkaline electrolytes, these cathodically coloring films may be useful as counter electrodes for anodically coloring electrode films such as nickel oxide or metal hydrides.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Berkeley National Lab., CA (US)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (US)
• DOE Contract Number: AC03-76SF00098
• OSTI ID: 771915
• Report Number(s): LBNL--46510
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
COPPER OXIDES
ELECTROCHROMIC WINDOWS THIN FILMS
ELECTROCHROMISM
ELECTRODEPOSITION
GLASS
NICKEL OXIDES
SPUTTERING
SUBSTRATES
THIN FILMS
TIN OXIDES
WINDOWS