A dual electrochromic film based on nanocomposite of aniline and o-toluidine copolymer with tungsten oxide nanoparticles

• The WO3-copolymer nanocomposite thin film is successfully prepared.
• Enhanced electrochemical properties are achieved for WO3-copolymer nanocomposite.
• The response time of nanocomposite is modified comparing to WO3 and copolymer films.
• The CE of the nanocomposite film is improved during coloration.

A dual electrochromic (EC) film was prepared based on composite of tungsten oxide nanoparticles and copolymer of aniline and o-toluidine, by electrochemical polymerization method. In this method, aniline and o-toluidine monomers were dispersed in the solution containing tungsten oxide (WO3) nanoparticles and the final mixture was used for electrodeposition of film on fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO) coated glass. WO3 nanoparticles were incorporated in the copolymer matrix structure, and a dual EC film was constructed. EC properties of WO3, copolymer and WO3-copolymer nanocomposite films were evaluated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and the UV–Vis spectrophotometry. Also, the optical response and coloration efficiency (CE) of samples were investigated. The composition of organic-inorganic EC materials have improved properties in application of the EC film such as significant optical modulation (37.35% at 633 nm) and high switching speed and high coloration efficiency (116.6 cm2 C−1 at 633 nm). These achievements were better than WO3 or copolymer films. The improved EC properties were appertained to the mixture of prominences of both materials.

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