We report on the electrochromic behavior of amorphous ruthenium oxide thin films and their electrochemical characteristics for use as counterelectrodes for electrochromic devices. Hydrous ruthenium oxide thin films were prepared by cyclic voltammetry on ITO coated glass substrates from an aqueous ruthenium chloride solution. The cyclic voltammograrns of this material show the capacitive behavior including two redox reaction peaks in each cathodic and anodic scan. The ruthenium oxide thin film electrode exhibits a 50% modulation of optical transmittance at 670 nm wavelength with capacitor charge/discharge. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V All rights reserved.