Brett Huntley

Date of Graduation

Fall 2013

Degree

Master of Science in Chemistry

Department

Chemistry and Biochemistry

Committee Chair

G. Alan Schick

Abstract

Tungsten trioxide is one of the most used electrochromic materials on the market. The interest surrounding this material is due to its electrochromic properties, changing from pale yellow when oxidized to a blue when reduced: tungsten trioxide is often used in electrochromic (Smart) windows, but due to high product cost, for the general public it is unrealistic to switch to these windows. A low cost method is used when synthesizing tungsten trioxide via a sol gel method using an ion exchange resin. I observed that as more of the resin's loading capacity is used there is a change in physical shape as well as crystalline phase. Using scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive x-ray analysis, Raman spectroscopy, and powder x-ray diffraction I was able to observe the shape and characterize the crystalline phase of the tungsten oxide particles. These techniques showed particle shapes resembling squares, ellipses, and ornate ellipses, as well as, crystalline phases of m-WO3, h-WO3, WO3 uH2O. Determining these properties will result in a better understanding as to what factors produce the most efficient electrochromic tungsten oxide.

Keywords

tungsten oxide, electrochromism, ion exchange resin, sol gel, energy dispersive x-ray analysis, Raman spectroscopy, powder x-ray diffraction

Subject Categories

Chemistry

Copyright

© Brett Huntley

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