A high-performance electrochromic device assembled with WO₃/Ag and TiO₂/NiO composite electrodes towards smart window

The choice of cathode and anode materials for electrochromic devices plays a key role in the performance of electrochromic smart windows. In this research, WO₃/Ag and TiO₂/NiO composite thin films were separately prepared by the hydrothermal method combined with electrodeposition. The electrochromic properties of the single WO₃ thin film were optimized, and TiO₂/NiO composite films showed better electrochromic performance than that of the single NiO film. WO₃/Ag and TiO₂/NiO composite films with excellent electrochromic properties were respectively chosen as the cathode and the anode to construct a WO₃/Ag-TiO₂/NiO electrochromic device. The response time (t_c = 4.08 s, t_b = 1.08 s), optical modulation range (35.91%), and coloration efficiency (30.37 cm²·C⁻¹) of this electrochromic device are better than those of WO₃-NiO and WO₃/Ag-NiO electrochromic devices. This work provides a novel research idea for the performance enhancement of electrochromic smart windows.