Reversible chemochromic MoO3 nanoribbons through zerovalent metal intercalation

Molybdenum trioxide (α-MoO3) is a 2D layered oxide with use in electrochromic and photochromic devices owing to its ability to reversibly change color between transparent and light blue with electrochemical or hydrogen intercalation. Despite its significant application potential, MoO3 performance is largely limited by the destructiveness of these intercalation techniques, insignificant coloration, and slow color response. We demonstrate a reversible chemochromic method, using intercalation of zerovalent metals into α-MoO3 nanoribbons (Sn, ∼2 at. %; Co, ∼4 at. %), to chemically alter MoO3 from transparent white to a deep blue indigo, resulting in enhanced coloration and chemically tunable optical properties. We present two strategies to reversibly tune the color response of MoO3 nanoribbons. Chromism can be reversed (i) by complete oxidative deintercalation with hydrogen peroxide or iodine or (ii) through a temperature-driven disorder-order phase transition of the intercalated zerovalent metal.