Effect of film thickness on electrochromic activity of spray deposited iridium oxide thin films

Electrochromic iridium oxide thin films were deposited onto fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO) coated glass substrates from an aqueous iridium chloride solution using a spray pyrolysis process. The deposition temperature was 250 °C. The solution quantity was varied from 25 to 55 ml to obtain films with different thickness. The as-deposited samples were X-ray amorphous. The electrochromic properties were studied in proton containing electrolyte (0.5N, H₂SO₄) using cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry and spectrophotometry techniques. The films exhibit anodic electrochromism. The colouration efficiency at 630 nm was maximum for thicker sample, owing to its large charge storage capacity and hydration.