Synthesis and electrochromic property improvement of NiO films for device applications

Abstract We have prepared the NiO films using electron-beam evaporation with a specially designed target. The films were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, UV-visible spectrophotometry and cyclic voltammetry. The structure of NiOx films with (111) preferred plane orientation is good for electrochromic properties. The (111) orientated film shows tetrahedron-island structures. The best of the grown film shows high transmittance modulation at the wavelength of 550 nm with good durability and electrochromic properties after 800 cycles. The coloration efficiency of the best film is about 34 C/cm2. The electrochromic properties of the developed NiO films are discussed and compared for possible device applications.