One‐step Microwave‐assisted Synthesis of Indium Tin Oxide Nanoparticles for NIR‐Selective Dynamic Window Applications

Abstract

AbstractIndium tin oxide (ITO) nanoparticles have been successfully synthesized by a one‐step microwave‐assisted environmentally benign method. By changing the molar ratio of In and Sn, the obtained ITO nanoparticles show the variation in particle size and morphology. When printed on conductive glass, ITO nanoparticles with different Sn content exhibit tunable adsorption properties in a near‐infrared (NIR) range. By regulating the surface electron density of the nanoparticles, their localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) can be dynamically and reversibly modulated. ITO nanoparticle was screen printed on conductive glass, followed by heat treatment, and was equipped with a counter electrode to obtain a NIR selective dynamic window with enhanced NIR optical contrast. The devices exhibited a 56% reversible modulation of the light transmission in a wide range from 750 to 2600 nm. The maximum variation of 74% was observed at 2000 nm. The charging and discharging mechanisms for ITO thin films were also investigated.