Fast electrochromic response of porous-structured cobalt oxide (Co3O4) thin films by novel nebulizer spray pyrolysis technique

Electrochromic effect of cobalt oxide thin films was studied as a function of substrate temperature (573-673 K). Tricobalt tetraoxide (Co3O4) thin films were deposited on glass and fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrates by nebulized spray technique using cobalt nitrate as precursor material. The XRD patterns indicated (311) plane was dominant for all the films irrespective of the deposition temperature. Williamson-Hall (W-H) analysis was made to understand the strain variation in the prepared Co3O4 films under different deposition temperature by employing uniform deformation model (UDM). Scanning electron microscopy images revealed porous morphology for the film prepared at 623 K. The optical parameters such as refractive index (n), extinction coefficient (k), and band gap were derived from UV-visible spectra of Co3O4 films. The electrochromic performance of the deposited Co3O4 films was analyzed through cyclic voltammetry, chronocoulometry, chronoamperometry, and iono-optical studies.