Radiation exposure effects on structural, optical, and electrical properties of self-powered prussian blue electrochromic thin films

Abstract Prussian blue (PB) electrochromic (EC) thin films were placed on the ITO substrates with thicknesses of 500, 600, and 700 nm, produced by handmade Spray pyrolysis method. Self-powered electrochromic system based on Aloe Vera gel electrolyte. The bleaching appeared voltages of Prussian blue and aluminum electrode with the Aloe Vera gel electrolyte are 0.23, 0.29 and 0.34 V respectively with bleaching time 20 s. All thin films were irradiated by gamma ray (60CO) of dose 18 Gy/ hr with 1.17 MeV of energy for half an hour Prior to and following irradiation. After irradiation, Ultraviolet spectroscopy shows absorbance increases for (525–750) nm wavelength, and optical energy gab is decreased. AVO measurements show increase in the voltages after irradiation which are 0.25, 0.32 and 0.36 V for three thicknesses 500, 600 and 700 nm of PB thin films respectively; furthermore bleaching time has become 30 s. It is noticed that coloring needs long time so the application bias voltages are 2.5 V and 2.8 V before and after irradiation. Self-powered smart systems are useful for many applications, especially with using green electrolyte (Aloe Vera) is useful for smart systems because of its benefits such as low cost, simplicity of availability, and non-toxicity.