Core-Shell Nanorod Arrays of Crystalline/Amorphous TiO2 Constructed by Layer-by-Layer Method for High-Performance Electrochromic Electrodes. (10th October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chen, Yongbo; Li, Xiaomin; Bi, Zhijie; He, Xiaoli; Xu, Xiaoke; Gao, Xiangdong
• Is Part Of: Electrochimica acta. Volume 251(2017)
• Page Start: 546
• Page End: 553
• Publication Date: 2017-10-10
• Subjects: TiO2 nanorod arrays -- Amorphous TiO2 -- Core-shell structure -- Layer-by-layer method -- Electrochromism; Electrochemistry -- Periodicals; Electrochemistry, Industrial -- Periodicals; 541.37
• DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2017.08.170
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0013-4686

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Abstract: In this paper, core-shell nanorod arrays of crystalline/amorphous TiO2 (c/a-TiO2 ) are demonstrated for the comprehensive enhancement of electrochromic performance. The amorphous TiO2 (a-TiO2 ) shell was conformally deposited on the surface of single-crystalline TiO2 nanorod arrays (c-TiO2 ) core via a facile layer-by-layer method, which ensures the high-quality contact between the core and shell. The optimal c/a-TiO2 core-shell structure with 13 nm a-TiO2 layer combines the assets of distinct porous morphology in c-TiO2 and high charge density in a-TiO2, possessing notably larger optical contrast (43%) and higher coloration efficiency (16.2 cm 2 C −1 ) than c-TiO2 (18%, 8.8 cm 2 C −1 ) at 800 nm. Compared to the pristine c-TiO2, c/a-TiO2 shows lower threshold voltage and faster response speed due to the low energy barrier and rapid ion migration in the a-TiO2 shell during lithium insertion/extraction. Moreover, the c/a-TiO2 nanostructures can offer outstanding cycling stability in different potential windows upon extensive electrochemical cycling.