Fabrication of Multi-Layer Metal Oxides Structure for Colored Glass

Abstract

This study proposes front colored glass for building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems based on multi-layered derivatives of glass/MoO3/Al2O3 with a process technology developed to realize it. Molybdenum oxide (MoO3) and aluminum oxide (Al2O3) layers are selected as suitable candidates to achieve thin multi-layer color films, owing to the large difference in their refractive indices. We first investigated from a simulation based on wave optics that the glass/MoO3/Al2O3 multi-layer type offers more color design freedom and a cheaper fabrication process when compared to the glass/Al2O3/MoO3 multi-layer type. Based on the simulation, bright blue and green were primarily fabricated on glass. It is further demonstrated that brighter colors, such as yellow and pink, can be achieved secondarily with glass/MoO3/Al2O3/MoO3 due to enhanced multi-interfacial reflections. The fabricated color glasses showed the desired optical properties with a maximum transmittance exceeding 80%. This technology exhibits promising potential in commercial BIPV system applications.

Fabrication of Color Glass with High Light Transmittance by Pearlescent Pigments and Optical Adhesive

“…Natural micas, synthetic micas, glass flakes, and alumina are examples of substrates used. The colors come from the interference effect from the laminar crystal [ 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 ]. The interference color is derived by coating TiO 2 on these high aspect ratio substrates to a very specific thickness.…”

“…This method is expensive, has a long deposition time, produces low transmittance layers, and is not applicable to commercial BIPV systems. Recently, we implemented colored glass for BIPV through multilayer deposition of alternating high and low refractive index metal oxides and metal nitrides [ 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 ]. Some of these oxide and nitride layers have been used in thin-film optical applications because of their high transmittance and stable optical properties [ 24 ].…”

The versatile family of molybdenum oxides: synthesis, properties, and recent applications

“…The refractive index obtained with this procedure was corrected by the porosity of the MoO 2 layer (determined by Rutherford backscattering measurement). The dispersion relation of the refractive index of MoO 2 from the ultraviolet (UV) to the NIR is displayed in figure 3(b) together with that of MoO 3 [66]. It can be noted the anomalous dispersion of the refractive index below 400 nm that suggest the presence of an optical gap as has been observed in optical transmission experiments.…”

Engineered Nanomaterial Coatings for Food Packaging: Design, Manufacturing, Regulatory, and Sustainability Implications

“…In practice, the strength is much lower due to surface defects. Nanotechnology has improved the surface of the glass to reduce manufacturing defects and surface coatings due to the use of metal oxides in the glass material, which improves both the electrical and thermal conductivity of the glass [154][155][156]. Three popular classes of glass are standard glass, ceramic glass, and nanostructured glass [157,158].…”