Ordered titania nanotubes layer selectively annealed by laser beam for high contrast electrochromic switching

The phase conversion from amorphous into crystalline one in the selected area of as-anodized titania nanotubes was achieved via laser treatment. The optimized processing parameters enable fast, one-minute crystallization of titania within an area limited by a shadow mask and without any morphology damage of ordered TiO2 tubular film. The laser annealed titania nanotubes could be easily overgrown by a conducting polymer without any additional activation procedure. The organic matrix infiltrated down to the titanium substrates as was revealed on the basis of depth profile of elemental composition recorded using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy technique performed under the etching mode. Obtained inorganic-organic composite exhibits a doubling of its colour depending on the applied potential and high contrast electrochromic properties were verified.