Tuning of crystal phase structure in hydrated WO3 nanoparticles under wet chemical conditions and studies on their photochromic properties

Hydrated tungsten oxide nanoparticles have been synthesized using a simple wet chemical method while varying the concentration of HCl. XRD studies show that the variation in HCl concentration from 1 M to 6 M in the reaction results into gradual change in crystal structure of hydrated WO3 from hexagonal (WO3·0.33H2O) to pure orthorhombic (WO3·H2O), through a series of samples with mixed phase of the two indifferent ratios. The similar variations in the degree of hydration and phase variations have also been observed from Raman, FTIR and TGA studies. The average crystallite size of the hydrated WO3 particles was estimated to be ∼26 nm from XRD line broadening and AFM studies showed the formation of spherical shaped particles for all the samples. The photochromic studies were carried out on the composite films of these materials in the polymeric matrix of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) while exposing to UV light. The composite films show interesting variations in the photochromic behavior depending on the crystal structure of hydrated WO3 filler. The photochromic behavior has been explained on the basis of EPR spectra of hydrated WO3.

► Crystal phase tuning of hydrated WO3 nanoparticles. ► Appearance of green photochromic color change. ► Studies on phase variation along with photochromic color variation.