Controlling photochromic properties of molybdenum oxide based composite films by copper addition

Abstract

MoO₃ based photochromic composite films were fabricated using a Mo-IPA methanol solution and a transparent urethane resin, and the photochromic property of the films was controlled by copper addition. All the composite films colored by UV–vis light irradiation, and bleached in placing a dark room. The initial color of the films changed from blue to transparent by Cu addition to the composite film, and Cu addition caused acceleration of the bleaching speed of the composite films with the Cu/Mo ratio of higher than 0.5.