Toward Thermochromic VO2 Nanoparticles Polymer Films Based Smart Windows Designed for Tropical Climates

Abstract

Thermochromic smart windows have been extensively investigated due to two main benefits: first, the comfort for people in a room through avoiding high temperatures resulting from solar heating while taking advantage of the visible light, and second, the energy efficiency saving offered by using those systems. Vanadium dioxide (VO2) is one of the most used materials in the development of thermochromic devices. The countries located in the tropics show little use of these technologies, although studies indicate that due to their characteristics of solar illumination and temperature, they could benefit greatly. To optimize and achieve maximum benefit, it is necessary to design a window that adjusts to tropical conditions and at the same time remains affordable for extensive implementation. VO2 nanoparticles embedded in polymeric matrices are an option, but improvements are required by means of studying different particle sizes, dopants and polymeric matrices. The purpose of this review is to analyze what has been regarding toward the fabrication of smart windows based on VO2 embedded in polymeric matrices for tropical areas and provide a proposal for what this device must comply with to contribute to these specific climatic needs.

Thermochromism of rapid responses to temperature changes versus mechanochromism in a Ni-dithiolene complex salt

“…In theory, materials that exhibit temperature-dependent structures are promising candidates for designing thermochromic materials. Although thermochromism has been observed in a wide range of materials, including inorganics, 7 organics, 3 polymers/polymeric composites, 12,13 and hybrids, 14 designing and discovering new thermochromic materials systems remain a challenge at present. It is noteworthy that thermochromism has been infrequently explored for metal-dithiolene complexes so far, 15 although they show the possibility of thermochromism, and moreover, hold several advantages, including multiple spectral bands ranging from ultraviolet to near-infrared spectral regions, which originate from the electron transitions of π → π and MLCT/LMCT within a metal-dithiolene complex anion together with ion-pair charge transfer transition (IPCT), respectively.…”

NIR shielding performance and spectral selectivity of PVB interlayer films loaded with composite fillers derived from CsWO3 coupled with Au nanorods

“…In this regard, various types of particles are known to exhibit NIR shielding performance, including indium tin oxide (ITO), 8 antimony tin oxide (ATO), [9][10][11][12][13][14][15] tungsten trioxide (WO 3 ), 16 and vanadium dioxide (VO 2 ). 17 Noteworthily, since the raw materials used to produce ITO are derived from rare metals, the price of ITO is considerable. ATO powder is commercially available and is less expensive than ITO.…”