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Atomic Layer Deposition of Vanadium Dioxide and a Temperature-dependent Optical Model
Published on: May 23, 2018
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Bioinspired multifunctional vanadium dioxide: improved thermochromism and hydrophobicity
Xukun Qian1, Ning Wang, Yunfeng Li
1School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University , Singapore 639798, Singapore.
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|August 29, 2014
Summary
Researchers developed moth-eye nanostructured vanadium dioxide (VO2) films to improve thermochromic and antireflection properties. Smaller nanostructures significantly boost luminous and infrared transmission, enhancing smart window performance.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Optics
Background:
- Thermochromic vanadium dioxide (VO2) is crucial for smart windows, but its optical properties require enhancement.
- Moth-eye nanostructures offer a pathway to improve antireflection (AR) and optical transmission.
- Tailoring nanostructure periodicity is key to optimizing thermochromic and AR performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To fabricate VO2 films with moth-eye nanostructures to enhance thermochromic and antireflection properties.
- To investigate the effect of nanostructure periodicity (d) on luminous (Tlum) and infrared (TIR) transmission.
- To evaluate the potential for self-cleaning and hydrophobic properties in enhanced VO2 films for smart windows.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of VO2 films with varying moth-eye nanostructure periodicity (d).
- Measurement of Tlum and TIR at different temperatures (25 °C and 90 °C).
- Characterization of antireflection effects and solar modulation (ΔTsol).
- Addition of hydrophobic overcoats and contact angle measurements.
Main Results:
- Smaller periodicity (d = 210 and 440 nm) enhanced both Tlum and TIR due to gradient refractive index and AR effects.
- Average Tlum and TIR increased with decreasing d.
- An AR sample with d=210 nm and thickness=140 nm showed ~10% Tlum enhancement and 24.5% ΔTsol increase compared to planar films.
- Hydrophobic overcoat resulted in a contact angle of ~120°, indicating self-cleaning properties.
Conclusions:
- Moth-eye nanostructured VO2 films with smaller periodicity effectively enhance thermochromic and antireflection properties.
- The developed approach allows tailoring optical transmittance and offers self-cleaning capabilities.
- This work presents a promising method for producing hydrophobic VO2 films with improved performance for smart window applications.
