Inorganic Oxide Thin Films for Electrochromic Smart Windows and Photocatalysis
This community develops metal oxide thin films, primarily from tungsten, nickel, and molybdenum, to create surfaces that change color in response to electrical signals or light. The work focuses on building electrochromic devices for smart windows that regulate building energy use, as well as photocatalytic materials for degrading pollutants in water and air.
The research centers on synthesizing and depositing thin films of tungsten trioxide, nickel oxide, and molybdenum oxide using techniques such as magnetron sputtering, spray pyrolysis, and atomic layer deposition. A significant portion of the work addresses the integration of these films into electrochromic devices, often combined with energy storage capabilities to create self-powered smart windows. Other strands involve engineering the nanostructures of these oxides to enhance photocatalytic degradation of organic compounds. The materials are frequently doped or structured as nanoparticles to optimize their optical and electrochemical properties for specific device applications.
The largest share of the community's output is found in tungsten research, accounting for 7.5% of all tungsten research tracked, with 3,066 papers in this group. Molybdenum and nickel also contribute significantly, representing 2.4% and 1.3% of their respective element research totals.
The community comprises 6,518 papers, publishing most frequently in the Journal of Solid State Chemistry, Thin Solid Films, and Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells.
Recent work continues to focus on fast-switching electrochromic smart windows for building energy savings and the development of multifunctional integrated devices that combine electrochromism with sensing or energy storage capabilities.