The embodiments described herein provide an electrochromic device. In an exemplary embodiment, the electrochromic device includes (1) a substrate and (2) a film supported by the substrate, where the film includes transparent conducting oxide (TCO) nanostructures. In a further embodiment, the electrochromic device further includes (a) an electrolyte, where the nanostructures are embedded in the electrolyte, resulting in an electrolyte, nanostructure mixt. positioned above the substrate and (b) a counter electrode positioned above the mixt. In a further embodiment, the electrochromic device further includes a conductive coating deposited on the substrate between the substrate and the mixt. In a further embodiment, the electrochromic device further includes a second substrate positioned above the mixt.