Template synthesis and characterization of photochromic tungsten trioxide nanofibers

• Published in: Journal of materials science. Materials in electronics Vol. 33; no. 10; pp. 7371 - 7379
• Main Authors: Ejeromedoghene, Onome, Zuo, Xiaoshuang, Ogungbesan, Shephrah Olubusola, Oderinde, Olayinka, Yao, Fang, Adewuyi, Sheriff, Fu, Guodong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01-04-2022; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Antireflection coatings; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry and Materials Science; Choline; Fourier transforms; Materials Science; Metal oxides; Morphology; Nanofibers; Nanomaterials; Optical and Electronic Materials; Photochromism; Solvents; Synthesis; Tungsten oxides; Ultraviolet radiation
• ISSN: 0957-4522; 1573-482X
• DOI: 10.1007/s10854-022-07845-2

This study reports a novel synthesis route for tungsten trioxide (WO
3
) nanofiber facilely at moderate conditions via a non-electrospinning method. Herein, a type II eutectic mixture of choline chloride and hydrated NaCl was used as a templating agent to prepare WO
3
nanofibers. The fibrous morphology of the material was confirmed by SEM and HR-TEM with particles diameter within the 200 nm range. The photochromic property revealed a prompt visual color change from white to blue after exposure to UV light for up to 7 s. The UV–Vis spectra also confirmed the photochromic response of the material by a corresponding hyperchromic shift around 700–800 nm at different exposure times. Moreover, the material displayed an excellent reflectance (72%) with good reproducibility and stability after 8 consecutive runs. The results obtained from the study show promising prospects of application of the material in semiconductors, anti-reflective coatings on window, and optical glasses/devices.