Enhanced electrochromic performance of flexible WFexOyCz films by O2 gas addition using low temperature plasma polymerization

•Electrochromic WFexOyCz films synthesized by low temperature plasma polymerization.•O2 gas addition enhances electrochromic performance of WFexOyCz films.•Organic-inorganic hybrid WFexOyCz films synthesized.•Flexible and electrochromic WFexOyCz films produced.

An investigation was conducted into the prominent lithium electrochromic performance of flexible organo-tungsten-iron oxide (WFexOyCz) films deposited onto flexible (60 Ω/□ polyethylene terephthalate/indium tin oxide) substrates. The simple one-step low temperature (∼23 °C) plasma polymerization method was used to inject the precursors tungsten hexacarbonyl [W(CO)6] and biscyclopentadienyl iron [Fe(C5H5)2] into the plasma chamber, whilst being mixed with O2 gases at various gas flow rates. The plasma-polymerized WFexOyCz films at a certain addition of oxygen gases achieved outstanding lithium electrochemical reversibility of Li+ ion intercalation and de-intercalation proven by a potential sweep switching between −1 V and 1 V at a scan rate of 50 mV/s in a 1 M LiClO4-propylene carbonate electrolyte. High values for optical transmittance modulation (ΔT) of up to 83.2%, optical density (ΔOD) of up to 1.08 and color efficiency (η) of up to 62.3 cm2/C at a wavelength of 854.9 nm were obtained for the amorphous WFexOyCz films synthesized by the addition of oxygen gases at a flow rate of 17 sccm. The results verified that the proper addition of oxygen gas provides a suitable routine to enhance the electrochromic properties of plasma-polymerized WFexOyCz films.