Cathodic Electrodeposition of Nanocrystalline Titanium Dioxide Thin Films

Abstract
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.