First-principles theory of coloration of WO₃ upon charge insertion

We report first-principles investigations of the coloration of WO$_3$ upon charge insertion, using sodium tungsten bronze (Na$_x$WO$_3$) as a model system. Our results explain well the systematic color change of Na$_x$WO$_3$ from dark blue to violet, red-orange, and finally to golden-yellow as sodium concentration $x$ increases from 0.3 to unity. Proper accounts for both the interband and the intraband contributions to the optical response are found to be very important for a detailed understanding of the coloration mechanism in this system.