Electrochemical pretreatment of electrochromic WO3 films gives greatly improved cycling durability

Electrochromic WO3 thin films have important applications in devices such as smart windows for energy-efficient buildings. Long-term electrochemical cycling durability of these films is essential and challenging. Here we investigate reactively sputter-deposited WO3 films, backed by indium-tin oxide layers and immersed in electrolytes of LiClO4 in propylene carbonate, and demonstrate unprecedented electrochemical cycling durability after straight-forward electrochemical pretreatments by the application of a voltage of 6 V vs. Li/Li+ for several hours