Transparent self-ordered niobium-oxide nanochannel layers formed on conducting glass by total anodization of thin metal films in glycerol/phosphate electrolyte

Abstract

[EN] In the present work, we show the feasibility to grow highly ordered anodic Nb2O5 nanochannel structures from a thin Nb-layer on conducting glass (fluorine doped tin oxide, FTO). This is achieved using a glycerol-phosphate electrolyte at 180 degrees C and a suitable anodization voltage that allows a rapid and complete conversion of the entire metallic layer into a transparent oxide layer of an extremely well defined directional nature with 20-30 nm wide open vertical channels. These layers can be used, either in the amorphous state or after thermal crystallization, for efficient reversible electrochromic switching devices. (c) 2012 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.