Smart windows based on VO2 and WS2 monolayers
Mahdieh Hashemi1, Mona Gandomi2, Maryam Moradi2
1Department of Physics, College of Science, Fasa University Fasa 74617-81189 Iran mahdieh.hashemi@gmail.com.
Nanoscale Advances
|September 2, 2025
Summary
Researchers developed advanced smart windows using vanadium dioxide (VO2) gratings and tungsten disulfide (WS2) layers. These novel smart windows optimize infrared (IR) blocking and visible light transmission while improving color neutrality for energy efficiency.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Optics
- Energy
Background:
- Smart windows control infrared (IR) radiation for energy savings.
- Vanadium dioxide (VO2) is a phase change material suitable for smart windows but has limitations in IR transmission and visible light.
- Existing VO2 smart windows suffer from low visible light transmission and an undesirable yellow-brown hue.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and optimize smart windows using VO2.
- To enhance IR blocking and visible light transmission.
- To improve the color neutrality of VO2-based smart windows.
Main Methods:
- Structuring VO2 as a grating on a silica substrate.
- Incorporating atomic layers of Tungsten disulfide (WS2) into the VO2 structure.
- Simulating optical properties under transverse magnetic (TM) and electric (TE) radiation.
Main Results:
- A VO2 grating structure improved IR blockage to 67%/63% and visible light transmission to 53%/47% (TM/TE).
- Adding 5 layers of WS2 maintained optical properties while reducing undesirable 620 nm wavelength transmission to 34%/30% (TM/TE), improving color.
- Optimized properties remained consistent across various light angles and for unpolarized light.
Conclusions:
- The proposed VO2-based smart windows simultaneously optimize visible light transmission, IR blockage, and color.
- This research presents a significant advancement in smart window technology for enhanced energy efficiency and aesthetics.
- The findings pave the way for next-generation smart window applications.
