Abstract
An inorganic thermochromic material based on Cr-doped Al2O3 is synthesized using a solid-state method. The crystal structure, chemical composition, and morphology of the synthesized material are analyzed using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy coupled with an energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer, and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The color performances of the synthesized material are analyzed using a UV-VIS spectrometer. Finally, the thermochromism exhibited by the powdered samples at high temperatures is investigated. The material exhibits exceptional thermochromic property, transitioning from pink to gray or green in a temperature range of 25–600 °C. The change in color is reversible and is dependent on the surrounding temperature and chromium concentration; however, it is independent of the exposure time. This novel property of Cr-doped Al2O3 can be potentially employed in reversible thermochromic sensors that could be used not only for warning users of damage due to overheating when the environmental temperature exceeds certain limits, but also for detecting and monitoring the temperature of various devices, such as aeronautical engine components, hotplates, and furnaces.
Highlights
The ability to change color at a predetermined temperature threshold is very useful for a temperature-sensing thermochromic material
The color change property of thermochromic materials can be employed to alert about visible damage due to overheating; further, the change in color could indicate irregularity, and it can be used to monitor engine component temperatures or to warn users if the environmental temperature exceeds certain limits [1]
Thermochromic sensors can be divided into two categories: irreversible thermochromic materials and reversible thermochromic materials
Summary
The ability to change color at a predetermined temperature threshold is very useful for a temperature-sensing thermochromic material. The color change property of thermochromic materials can be employed to alert about visible damage due to overheating; further, the change in color could indicate irregularity, and it can be used to monitor engine component temperatures or to warn users if the environmental temperature exceeds certain limits [1]. Such materials have received much attention because of their potential applications as temperature sensors in a wide range of devices, such as aeronautical engine components [2,3], household appliances [4], hotplates, and furnaces [5]. The change in color cannot be reversed on cooling, providing permanent records, which can be visualized offline [2]
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