Recent progress in VO2 smart coatings: Strategies to improve the thermochromic properties

Shufen Wang, Minsu Liu, Lingbing Kong, Yi Long, Xuchuan Jiang, Aibing Yu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

220 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Vanadium dioxide (VO2) has attracted a great interest for smart
coating applications because of its promising thermochromic properties. Thermochromic performance of VO2 is closely related to the phase composition and the microstructure, which are largely dependent on the synthesis method and growth control. This review summarizes the recent progress in fabrication of VO2 by gas deposi tion. Representative deposition techniques, such as chemical vapor deposition (CVD), physical vapor deposition (PVD), sol–gel and chemical solution methods and their relative merits are discussed. To be practically applicable, high-performance thermochromic VO2 films are desired, often featured with a suitable phase transition temperature (Tc), high luminous transmittance (Tlum) and good modulation capability of solar energy (ΔTsol). Focused on the strate-gies used to improve thermochromic properties, this review also covers topics such as multilayer construction, elemental doping, substrate selection, and structure modification. Some theoretical progresses in understanding thermochromic coatings, including phase transition mechanism and energy modeling are also pro vided. Although significant progress has been made in improving the thermochromic performance of VO2 films, challenges are still present, particularly in commercial applications. Discussions on future trend and perspectives, as well as some important issues, of VO2 films used as smart coatings will be given finally.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1 - 54
Number of pages54
JournalProgress in Materials Science
Volume81
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2016

Keywords

  • Thermochromic VO2 films
  • Luminous transmittance
  • Solar modulation ability
  • Semiconductor–metal phase transition
  • Nanoparticles and nanocoatings

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