The crystallization dependent electron-proton synergistic doping for hydrogenation of WO3 film. (May 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhou, Xiaoyu; Li, Liang; Li, Bowen; Hu, Changlong; Cheng, Yuliang; Zhao, Shanguang; Zhang, Guobin; Zou, Chongwen
• Is Part Of: Vacuum. Volume 199(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-05
• Subjects: Electron-proton synergistic doping -- Hydrogenation -- WO3 films -- Crystallization effect; Vacuum -- Periodicals; 621.55
• DOI: 10.1016/j.vacuum.2022.110980
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0042-207X

Abstract

Abstract: Hydrogenation of metallic oxides was effective to modulate the chemical/physical properties and realize various functional applications. Normally, the traditional hydrogenating route always required high temperature annealing in hydrogen gas assisted by noble metal catalyst (Au or Pd et al.) or treatment by hydrogen plasma in vacuum condition. In the current study, we achieved a facile hydrogenation route for WO3 films at ambient conditions by contacting a Zn particle in a diluted acid solution and proposed a so-called electron-proton synergistic doping (EPSD) process. Due to the electrochromic property of WO3 film, the hydrogenation induced color change from transparent to deep-blue could be directly observed by eyesight. In addition, the higher H-doping concentrating in WO3 film would induce much deeper blue color. Results showed that the crystallinity and microstructures of WO3 film dominated the EPSD process, which not only effected the Fermi level difference between the Zn particle and WO3 film, but also changed the migrating barrier of proton at the interface. This macroscopic hydrogenation of WO3 films at ambience conditions showed some potential applications for tunable electrochromic devices. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: ∙ Hydrogenation of amorphous and crystal WO3 films were effectively realized by the Electron-Proton Synergistic Doping (EPSD). ∙ Crystallizing played a role of resistance in EPSD, resulted from the competing of increasing barrier and driving force of proton migrating. ∙ Structural barrier was introduced as a key role to the physical picture of EPSD.