Three‐Layered Hollow Nanospheres Based Coatings with Ultrahigh‐Performance of Energy‐Saving, Antireflection, and Self‐Cleaning for Smart Windows. Issue 34 (29th July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yao, Lin; Qu, Zhe; Pang, Zili; Li, Jing; Tang, Siyao; He, Junhui; Feng, Lili
• Is Part Of: Small. Volume 14:Issue 34(2018)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2018-07-29
• Subjects: antireflection -- energy‐saving -- self‐cleaning -- thermochromic -- three‐layered hollow structures; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; Nanoparticles -- Periodicals; Microtechnology -- Periodicals; 620.5
• DOI: 10.1002/smll.201801661
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1613-6810

Abstract

Abstract: In this study, a well‐controlled interfacial engineering method for the synthesis of SiO2 /TiO2 /VO2 three‐layered hollow nanospheres (TLHNs) and TLHNs‐based multifunctional coatings is reported. The as‐prepared coatings allow for an outstanding integration of thermochromism from the outer VO2 (M) layer, photocatalytic self‐cleaning capability from the middle TiO2 (A) layer, and antireflective property from internal SiO2 HNs. The TLHNs coatings exhibit excellent optical performance with ultrahigh luminous transmittance ( T lum‐l = 74%) and an improved solar modulation ability (Δ T sol = 12%). To the best knowledge, this integrated optical performance is the highest ever reported for TiO2 /VO2 ‐based thermochromic coatings. An ingenious computation model is proposed, which allows the n eff of nanostructured coatings to be rapidly obtained. The experimental and calculated results reveal that the unique three‐layered structure significantly reduces the refractive index (from 2.25 to 1.33 at 600 nm) and reflectance (Rave, from 22.3 to 5.3%) in the visible region as compared with dense coatings. Infrared thermal imaging characterization and self‐cleaning tests provide valid evidence of SiO2 /TiO2 /VO2 TLHNs coatings' potential for energy‐saving and self‐cleaning smart windows. The exciting inexpensive and universal fabrication process for well‐defined structures may inspire various developments in processable and multifunctional devices. Abstract : Herein, a well‐controlled interfacial engineering method for the synthesis of three‐layered hollow nanosphere (TLHNs) and TLHNs‐based multifunctional coatings is reported. The coatings exhibit excellent optical performance with high luminous transmittance and solar modulation ability. Infrared thermal imaging and self‐cleaning tests prove their potential for energy‐saving and self‐cleaning smart windows.