Thin Solid Films, Vol.280, No.1-2, 233-237, 1996
Degradation of the Electrochromic Nickel-Oxide Film upon Redox Cycling
The degradation mechanism of electrochromic nickel oxide films by redox cycles was investigated. Films fabricated by sputtering of an oxide target were driven between the colored (oxidized) and bleached (reduced) states in 1 M KOH solution. With the cycles, the transmittance of the colored state decreased. While the peak potential of the redox became larger at first and then became smaller, the response time became rapid at first and slower afterward. The surface of heavily degraded films became uneven and easy to be removed. A higher oxidation voltage caused faster degradation. Heat treatment during deposition or making a film thicker was shown to affect durability.
Keywords:COPRECIPITATED METAL-IONS;NIOX THIN-FILMS;OPTICAL-PROPERTIES;ANODIC DEPOSITION;HYDROXIDE;ELECTRODES;ELECTROCHEMISTRY;COATINGS;INSITU