Electrochemical characterization of orthorhombic tungsten trioxide hydrate for battery applications

Highlights: • Electrical and electrochemical characterizations reveal the energy storage efficiency of Orthorhombic WO30.33H2O. • Faster switching time associated with electro chromism is observed in the compound with chronoamperometry measurement. • Ragone plot justifies the battery storage behavior in the material. • WO30.33H2O is proved to be good cathode material for solid state battery applications. -- Abstract: 2D nanoflake structures of orthorhombic WO₃0.33H₂O are prepared using the hydrothermal procedure and subjected to conductivity and electrochemical studies. Permittivity measurements from ac conductivity study and I–V characteristics from DC conductivity measurements point toward the energy storage efficiency of the material. Cyclic voltametry measurements support the observations and demonstrate the dominant battery like behavior with 93.99% diffusion controlled and 6.01% surface controlled process occurring in the sample. Chronoamperometry explains the fastest coloration and bleaching time (t_c = 0.46 s and t_b = 0.98 s) ever reported. Finally, WO₃0.33H₂O is proved to be a good cathode material in the assembly of WO₃0.33H₂O/KCl/Mg as a solid state battery.