Fabrication of Multi-Layer Metal Oxides Structure for Colored Glass

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.