ELECTROCHROMISM IN COBALT OXIDE THIN-FILMS GROWN BY ANODIC ELECTROPRECIPITATION

Cobalt oxyhydroxide thin films were grown by anodic electroprecipitation on a ITO/glass substrate from a cobalt nitrate solution. The electrochromic characteristics of the material, such as electrochromic efficiency, optical contrast, durability, optical memory, and response time are presented in this work. The total optical contrast between fully bleached and fully coloured states was 40%, and the electrochromic efficiency in the visible range was 20 cm2 degrees-C-1. The film can withstand more than 10(4) coloration/bleaching cycles, without significant decrease of the optical contrast. Results indicate that this anodic electrochromic material has properties suitable for a smart window or rearview mirror application.