Synthesis of electrochromic tin oxide thin films with faster response by spray pyrolysis

Tin oxide thin films have been synthesized via pyrolysis of tri-n-butyl tin acetate solution at various substrate temperatures. The effect of substrate temperature on electrochromic properties is studied by electrochemical cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The films deposited at various substrate temperatures (450, 475 and 500 °C) were polycrystalline and their preferred orientation changes from (1 1 0) to (2 0 0). Electrochromic performance indicated faster colour/bleach kinetics with appreciable reversibility in spray deposited SnO2 films. Maximum colouration efficiency and reversibility was attained for the sample deposited at 500 °C. All the spray deposited SnO2 thin films showed long term electrochemical stability in proton containing electrolyte.