Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, Vol.128, 166-177, 2014
Comparison of electrochromic devices with V- and Sn/Mo-oxide counter electrodes and (3-glycidoxypropyl)trimethoxysilane-based ormolytes with three different lithium salts
Electrochromic (EC) devices represent an effective way to modulate the intensity of incoming solar radiation in buildings or through the sun roofs of cars, but can also be used in helmets, sunglasses and home appliances. Herein we report on the development of all sal-gel WO3-based EC devices of a battery type, in which all three internal layers were prepared via sol-gel processes. A comparison of the performance of EC devices assembled with two different counter electrode films, i.e. V-oxide (150 degrees C) and Sn/Mo-oxide (500 degrees C) films deposited on fluorine dopped tin oxide (FTO) glass, is presented. The applicability of both types of counter electrodes for flexible polymeric substrates is also demonstrated. The sal-gel electrolyte (ormolyte) based on (3-glycidoxypropyl)trimethoxysilane was applied in EC devices; additionally, three different lithium salts were introduced, i.e. lithium perclorate (LiClO4), lithium trifluoromethanesulfonate (LiCF3SO3) and lithium bis(oxalato)borate (LiBOB). The spectroelectrochemical characterisation of the EC devices revealed that the optical modulation at 634 nm increased when electrolytes with LiClO4 < LiCF3SO3 < LiBOB were used. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.