/
/
/
Preparation of WO3 on TiO2 Nanotubes for Electrochromic-enhanced Photocatalytic Activity

Preparation of WO3 on TiO2 Nanotubes for Electrochromic-Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity

Original Research ArticleMar 28, 2025Vol. 25 No. 5 (2025) https://doi.org/10.55003/cast.2025.263966

Abstract

The aim of this study was to enhance photocatalytic activity through an electrochromic process. Multilayer films comprising WO3 deposited on TiO2 nanotubes (TNTs) were fabricated on ITO (indium tin oxide) glass substrates. The TNTs layers were synthesized via the anodization of Ti films, with variations in the deionized water content (1, 3, and 5 wt%) in ethylene glycol and NH4F as electrolyte solutions. The results revealed that the DI water ratios during anodization significantly affected the morphological and crystalline characteristics of the TNTs. At a 3 wt% deionized water ratio, the TNTs exhibited an aligned nanotube structure and a larger crystallite size of the anatase phase. At a 5 wt% DI water ratio, degradation in both the crystalline characteristics and morphology of TNTs was observed. Furthermore, the photocatalytic performance of the TNTs and the WO3 films deposited on the TNTs (WTNTs) samples was investigated to compare between pre-colored and colored states by examining their degradation rates of methylene blue solution under 300 µW/cm2 ultraviolet irradiation. The results of the colored states analysis indicated that the WO3 layer enhanced color efficiency by increasing absorption, resulting in the generation of more electron-hole pairs. Consequently, this state exhibited a significantly higher degradation rate compared to the pre-colored state.

How to Cite

Chuenkruit, A. ., Thongjoon, W. ., Aiempanakit, M. undefined. ., Aiempanakit, C. ., & Aiempanakit, K. . (2025). Preparation of WO3 on TiO2 Nanotubes for Electrochromic-enhanced Photocatalytic Activity. CURRENT APPLIED SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, e0263966. https://doi.org/10.55003/cast.2025.263966

References

  • Alves, I., Byzynski, G., Dawson, M., & Ribeiro, C. (2017). Charge transfer mechanism of WO3 /TiO2 heterostructure for photoelectrochemical water splitting. Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology A: Chemistry, 339, 95-102. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotochem.2017.02.024
  • Arvizu, M. A., Triana, C. A., Stefanov, B., Claes‐Göran Granqvist, & Niklasson, G. A. (2014). Electrochromism in sputter-deposited W–Ti oxide films: Durability enhancement due to Ti. Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 125, 184-189. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solmat.2014.02.037
  • Bae, S., Shim, E., Yoon, J., & Joo, H. (2008). Enzymatic hydrogen production by light-sensitized anodized tubular TiO2 photoanode. Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 92(4), 402-409. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solmat.2007.09.019
  • Bogati, S., Georg, A., & Graf, W. (2017). Photoelectrochromic devices based on sputtered WO3 and TiO2 films. Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 163, 170-177. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solmat.2017.01.016
  • Cai, G., Cui, M., Kumar, V., Darmawan, P., Wang, J., Wang, X., Eh, A. L.-S., Qian, K., & Lee, P. S. (2016). Ultra-large optical modulation of electrochromic porous WO3 film and the local monitoring of redox activity. Chemical Science, 7(2), 1373-1382. https://doi.org/10.1039/c5sc03727a

Author Information

Atsakorn Chuenkruit

Department of Physics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Thammasat University, Pathumthani, 12121, Thailand

Watcharaporn Thongjoon

Department of Physics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Thammasat University, Pathumthani, 12121, Thailand

Montri Aiempanakit

Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Silpakorn University, Nakhon Pathom, 73000, Thailand

Chantana Aiempanakit

Division of Physics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi, Pathumthani, 12110, Thailand

Kamon Aiempanakit

Department of Physics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Thammasat University, Pathumthani, 12121, Thailand

About this Article

Journal

Vol. 25 No. 5 (2025)

Type of Manuscript

Original Research Article

Keywords

TiO2
WO3
electrochromic
photocatalytic activity
anodization

Published

28 March 2025