MOLYBDENUM OXIDE AND ITS SUB-STOICHIOMETRIC FORMS IN ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND SENSING APPLICATIONS

Abstract

The aim of this thesis is to investigate the fabrication and characterization of molybdenum oxide, with focus on three specific properties in its stochiometric and sub-stochiometric forms. These are the electronic properties, the ability to reversibly intercalate positive ions, and the associated optical property changes and surface reactivity. In addition, the use of molybdenum oxide in four related but distinct applications, which takes advantage of these unique properties, are also investigated. These four applications are in organic photovoltaics, electrochromic devices, secondary batteries, and gas sensing. These investigations will then help to elucidate the details of these properties, in the hope of achieving a more comprehensive understanding of the properties of molybdenum oxide in its various stoichiometries.