Research Article

Synthesis and Characterization of Li4Ti5O12 Electrochromic Thin Film Electrodes by Sol-Gel Spin Coating Method

Volume: 16 Number: 3 September 1, 2026
TR EN

Synthesis and Characterization of Li4Ti5O12 Electrochromic Thin Film Electrodes by Sol-Gel Spin Coating Method

Abstract

Electrochromic materials have attracted considerable attention for smart window technologies and energy-efficient display systems owing to their capability to reversibly regulate optical transmittance. Among these materials, spinel Li4Ti5O12 (LTO) is particularly notable, as it combines electrochromic functionality with energy-storage characteristics. In the present work, LTO thin films with varying Li/Ti ratios (1/1, 1.5/1, and 2/1) were fabricated on FTO substrates via a low-cost sol–gel spin-coating approach and have been characterized. Structural and morphological investigations indicated that an increase in the Li/Ti ratio promoted particle agglomeration while simultaneously leading to a decline in crystallinity. Electrochemical analysis revealed that the stoichiometric Li/Ti = 1/1 film exhibited a markedly higher lithium-ion diffusion coefficient (〖1.84×10〗^(-10) 〖cm〗^2/s) compared with the Li/Ti ratio 1.5/1 counterpart (〖4.60×10〗^(-11) 〖cm〗^2/s). Consistent with this behavior, the Li/Ti ratio 1/1 film demonstrated superior electrochromic performance, displaying a change in optical transmittance from approximately 77% in the bleached state to 26% in the colored state within the visible region, corresponding to an optical contrast of about 39% at 633 nm. In contrast, the Li/Ti ratio 1.5/1 film showed a significantly lower optical contrast of roughly 15%. These findings underline the crucial role of stoichiometric control in determining crystallinity, ion transport dynamics, and electrochromic performance in LTO thin films, thereby emphasizing their promise for electrochromic energy-storage systems and smart window applications.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

This research was financially supported by the Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit of Erzincan Binali Yıldırım University (EBYÜBAP) under project number FDK-2023-933, and by TÜBİTAK (The Scientific and Technological Research Institution of Türkiye) within the scope of the 2211-C program under project number number 1649B032205924.

Project Number

EBYÜBAP FDK-2023-933, TÜBİTAK 2211-C program 1649B032205924.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Condensed Matter Physics (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

September 1, 2026

Submission Date

December 3, 2025

Acceptance Date

January 8, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 16 Number: 3

APA
Morkoç Karadeniz, S., & Şahin, B. (2026). Synthesis and Characterization of Li4Ti5O12 Electrochromic Thin Film Electrodes by Sol-Gel Spin Coating Method. Journal of the Institute of Science and Technology, 16(3), 1057-1069. https://doi.org/10.21597/jist.1835252
AMA
1.Morkoç Karadeniz S, Şahin B. Synthesis and Characterization of Li4Ti5O12 Electrochromic Thin Film Electrodes by Sol-Gel Spin Coating Method. J. Inst. Sci. and Tech. 2026;16(3):1057-1069. doi:10.21597/jist.1835252
Chicago
Morkoç Karadeniz, Sibel, and Burak Şahin. 2026. “Synthesis and Characterization of Li4Ti5O12 Electrochromic Thin Film Electrodes by Sol-Gel Spin Coating Method”. Journal of the Institute of Science and Technology 16 (3): 1057-69. https://doi.org/10.21597/jist.1835252.
EndNote
Morkoç Karadeniz S, Şahin B (September 1, 2026) Synthesis and Characterization of Li4Ti5O12 Electrochromic Thin Film Electrodes by Sol-Gel Spin Coating Method. Journal of the Institute of Science and Technology 16 3 1057–1069.
IEEE
[1]S. Morkoç Karadeniz and B. Şahin, “Synthesis and Characterization of Li4Ti5O12 Electrochromic Thin Film Electrodes by Sol-Gel Spin Coating Method”, J. Inst. Sci. and Tech., vol. 16, no. 3, pp. 1057–1069, Sept. 2026, doi: 10.21597/jist.1835252.
ISNAD
Morkoç Karadeniz, Sibel - Şahin, Burak. “Synthesis and Characterization of Li4Ti5O12 Electrochromic Thin Film Electrodes by Sol-Gel Spin Coating Method”. Journal of the Institute of Science and Technology 16/3 (September 1, 2026): 1057-1069. https://doi.org/10.21597/jist.1835252.
JAMA
1.Morkoç Karadeniz S, Şahin B. Synthesis and Characterization of Li4Ti5O12 Electrochromic Thin Film Electrodes by Sol-Gel Spin Coating Method. J. Inst. Sci. and Tech. 2026;16:1057–1069.
MLA
Morkoç Karadeniz, Sibel, and Burak Şahin. “Synthesis and Characterization of Li4Ti5O12 Electrochromic Thin Film Electrodes by Sol-Gel Spin Coating Method”. Journal of the Institute of Science and Technology, vol. 16, no. 3, Sept. 2026, pp. 1057-69, doi:10.21597/jist.1835252.
Vancouver
1.Sibel Morkoç Karadeniz, Burak Şahin. Synthesis and Characterization of Li4Ti5O12 Electrochromic Thin Film Electrodes by Sol-Gel Spin Coating Method. J. Inst. Sci. and Tech. 2026 Sep. 1;16(3):1057-69. doi:10.21597/jist.1835252