Electrochromic performance of sol–gel deposited NiO thin film

The nickel oxide (NiO) films were prepared from nickel acetate precursor by sol–gel dip coating technique. The films were characterized for their structural, compositional, morphological, optical, electrochromical and colorimetric measurement using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, cyclic voltammetry, optical transmittance studies and CIE system of colorimetric analysis. XPS measurements revealed that the films exhibited presence of NiO phase. SEM images showed a smooth and porous nature of NiO thin film. The EC device made up of glass/ITO/NiO/KOH/ITO/glass showed optical modulation of 51% and relative luminance difference of 49.45%, respectively. In addition to the aforementioned parameters, the coloration efficiency was found to be 49 cm2/C at 550 nm.

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► This paper demonstrates the electrochromic performance of the sol–gel deposited NiO thin film.
► Porous network with microgranules of NiO thin film exhibits excellent electrochromic behavior with a ΔT of 51%, high luminance difference of 49.45%.
► The coloration efficiency was found to be 49 cm2/C demonstrate that sol–gel deposited NiO thin film has a potential for excellent electrochromic devices.