Influence of electric field on properties of hydrated vanadium pentoxide thin films

Electric field influence on the properties of hydrated vanadium pentoxide thin films obtained by sol-gel method is studied. It is shown that under the influence of electric field the films change their structural and optical properties. X-ray diffraction, high-resolution electron microscopy, and transmission spectra of the prepared and colored films are reported. New data on structural changes under electrochromic effect in the V 2O 5 • nH 2O films are obtained. The film hydration method is suggested for acceleration of coloration process. Reduction in the band gap in colored and hydrated state is shown. The experimental results reveal the mechanism and phenomenon of the internal electrochromic effect. The films are deposited on glass and flexible “DuPont” Kapton substrates. The obtained results can be used for prototyping of electronic devices, including those on flexible substrates.