Photovoltaic-driven transparent heater of ZnO-coated silver nanowire networks for self-functional remote power system

Abstract

This work reports the first photovoltaic-powered transparent heater and the results suggest their potential for future smart window applications. Transparent heaters are of high interest for application in windows of buildings, automobiles, and aircrafts to ensure clear vision. Here, we propose the photovoltaic-transparent heater system to supply electric power for Joule heating of the transparent heater. The transparent heater is composed of silver nanowire (AgNW) networks to induce heat via the Joule effect. To ensure high stability, a ZnO film is applied as a transparent protection film to the AgNW networks, and it also serves as a thermal conductor for the transparent heater system. The proposed ZnO-coated AgNW transparent heater efficiently uses the Joule effect via the metal nanowire network, resulting in a high operating temperature >300 °C. The ZnO coating is also very effective in maintaining the optical transparency of the heater >67% in the visible spectral range. For on-site application, the ZnO/AgNW transparent heater is powered by photovoltaic cells and drives the heating temperature of 58 °C. The self-powered transparent heaters are therefore considered as suitable for application in transportation, buildings, wearables, and remote heating systems as a smart-window energy system.