Electrochromism

The research work in the field of new materials for electrochromic applications, focalizes on the definition of a low-cost, low-impact surfactant-based sol-gel route suitable to synthesize nanostructured metal oxide semiconductor thin films (V2O5 and WO3).

Vanadium oxides are promising materials for lithium-ions batteries, catalysis, electrochromic devices, energy store and conversion and gas sensors.

Semiconducting tungsten oxides have received great attention because of their electrochromic and photochromic properties and are used in optical devices, gas sensors, electrochromic windows and as photocatalyst.

The use of different surfactants as templating agents of the sol-gel process is exploited and their effect on the final structure of both vanadium and tungsten oxide films evaluated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Raman, EXAFS and XANES spectroscopy.

The research is carried out in collaboration with the Chemistry Department of the University of Parma and with the University of Moncton (Canada).