Phase-change VO₂-based thermochromic smart windows.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Sustainable Building Design

Background:

• Thermochromic coatings offer dynamic solar heat gain control for energy-efficient windows.
• Vanadium dioxide (VO2) is a key material for smart windows due to its reversible metal-to-insulator transition (MIT).

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advancements in VO2-based thermochromic coatings for smart windows.
• To explore material modifications, structural designs, and fabrication techniques for enhanced performance.
• To discuss alternative materials and future prospects for sustainable building applications.

Main Methods:

• Review of literature on VO2 thermochromic coatings.
• Analysis of elemental doping and micro/nano-engineering strategies.
• Examination of hybrid structures and fabrication methods.

Main Results:

• Hybridizing VO2 with other materials and employing specific structures (e.g., core-shell, optical cavity) allows fine-tuning of MIT temperature and optical properties.
• Elemental doping and micro/nano-engineering significantly impact VO2's near-infrared (NIR) modulation capabilities.
• Various fabrication strategies enable control over solar modulation in VO2 films.

Conclusions:

• VO2-based thermochromic smart windows show significant potential for improving building energy efficiency.
• Hybrid structures and advanced engineering offer pathways to overcome VO2 limitations.
• Further research into complementary materials and practical applications is crucial for sustainable building design.