Influence of the diameter of multi-walled carbon nanotubes on the electrochromic performance of NiO thin films

• Published in: Materials letters 2021-04, Vol.289, p.129403, Article 129403
• Main Authors: Berlanga-Rodriguez, A., Avalos-Belmontes, F., Arvizu, M.A., Garcia, C.R., Rodríguez-Varela, F.J., Oyervides-Muñoz, E., Garcia-Lobato, M.A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Charge transfer; Diameters; Electrochromic NiO films; Electrochromism; Electrostatic spray deposition; Functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes; Materials science; Morphology; Multi wall carbon nanotubes; Nickel oxides; Spraying; Thin films
• ISSN: 0167-577X; 1873-4979
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matlet.2021.129403

•MWCNTs do not modify the structure and morphology of NiO films.•NiO-MWCNTs films have larger amounts of OH and O than pure NiO films.•Charge-transfer kinetics varies according to size of MWCNTs.•Differences in durability and reversibility are observed by varying the diameter of MWCNTs. This work presents the influence of functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with different diameter on the electrochromic performance of compact NiO films deposited by electrostatic spraying. MWCNTs did not noticeable modify the structure and morphology of NiO films, although they tended to adsorb larger amounts of OH and O. Spectroelectrochemical measurements show that MWCNTs with a diameter of 15–25 nm are preeminent to enhance the charge-transfer kinetics (36.1%), coloration efficiency (17.3%), reversibility (12.5%) and cycling durability (66.6%) of NiO films.