Thermochromic Thin Films: Synthesis, Properties and Energy Consumption Modelling

Thermochromic materials such as vanadium dioxide have been postulated for use in “SMART” windows for a number of years. Such windows work by exploiting a structural phase change from an infra-red transmissive state to a infra-red reflective state. Significant challenges still remain before such materials will be able to find wide spread use. In this mini review we discuss the nature of this thermochromic transition with reference to the latest research work in the field. We pay particular attention to challenges such as film colouration, transition temperature, and transition hysteresis. We describe the most up to date strategies for addressing these challenges, considering advanced synthesis methods that can be integrated into float glass production facilities such as chemical vapour deposition, sol-gel techniques etc. Finally we discuss the latest energy consumption modelling results, detailing how thermochromic material based “SMART” windows can deliver substantial energy savings when compared to current energy saving glazing approaches.