Thermochromic vanadium dioxide thin films from electric field assisted aerosol assisted chemical vapour deposition

Thermochromic vanadium dioxide thin films were deposited via aerosol assisted chemical vapour deposition from a precursor solution of vanadyl acetylacetonate in ethanol at 525 °C on to fluorine doped tin oxide coated glass substrates. A potential difference was applied between the top plate and substrate during the deposition to generate an electric field with a positive bias applied to the substrate. The films produced were analysed and characterised by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, contact angle and variable temperature UV/Visible spectroscopy. It was found that the presence of an electric field during deposition could lead to a marked change in the microstructure and functional properties of the deposited films; specifically the wetting and thermochromic properties. An increase in field strength lead to a reduction in crystallite and agglomerate size compared to films grown without the presence of an electric field.