Cathodic electrodeposition of nanocrystalline titanium dioxide thin films

A new technique for depositing nanocrystalline titanium dioxide thin films on electronically conducting glass was developed. This technique is a two-stage process: (i) cathodic electrodeposition of titanium oxyhydroxide gel film from aqueous solution containing a Ti precursor and (ii) subsequent heat-treatment of this gel film results in the formation of titanium dioxide film. The deposition potential may have a considerable effect on the formation of nanocrystalline film. The nanocrystalline titanium dioxide film shows reversible electrochromism in lithium-ion-containing organic electrolyte. The coloration and bleaching throughout the visible and near-IR range can be switched on and off within a few seconds.