Simulation and experimental studies of FTO/WO3 and FTO/WO3/Ag thin film structures for electrochromic analysis deposited by DC & RF magnetron sputtering

• Published in: Journal of materials science. Materials in electronics 2024-08, Vol.35 (24), p.1650, Article 1650
• Main Authors: Kumar, Kilari Naveen, Nithya, G, Reddy, G Srinivas, Radhalayam, Dhanalakshmi, Prakash, Nunna Guru, Altaf, Mohammad, Ko, Tae Jo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry and Materials Science; Coloring; Electrochromism; Magnetron sputtering; Materials Science; Optical and Electronic Materials; Optical properties; Scanning electron microscopy; Silver; Simulation; Thin films; X-ray diffraction
• ISSN: 0957-4522; 1573-482X
• DOI: 10.1007/s10854-024-13396-5

In this work, DC & RF magnetron sputtering and COMSOL multiphysics were used to simulate and deposit WO 3 and WO 3 /Ag films, respectively. In the simulation cyclic voltammetry (CV) analysis was examined. The current density for the WO 3 /Ag films in comparison to the WO 3 film was displayed higher. Based on the simulation findings, the experiment was done using DC & RF magnetron sputtering to deposit WO 3 and WO 3 /Ag films. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV–vis spectrometer, and electrochemical analyzer were used to examine the structural, morphological, EC, and optical characteristics of the deposited films. The SEM study revealed a smooth surface for WO 3 films and WO 3 /Ag shows the grain of silver film. The XRD analysis of WO 3 films shows the amorphous nature and in WO 3 /Ag films silver peaks were shown. The bandgap value s were found to be 3.14 eV and 3.02 eV for WO 3 and WO 3 /Ag films, respectively. Comparing the WO 3 /Ag film to the WO 3 film, the cyclic voltammograms showed that the WO 3 /Ag film had the maximum current. In comparison to the WO 3 film (30 cm 2 C −1 ), higher coloring efficiency values were noted for the WO 3 /Ag film (48 cm 2 C −1 ). For the WO 3/ Ag film, less time is needed for the coloring ( tc  = 2.2) and belching ( tb  = 1.8 s). It was clear that compared to a single-component WO 3 film, the Ag-embedded WO 3 composite system performed noticeably better electroactively and electrochemically.