The thermochromic characteristics of Zn-doped VO2 that were prepared by the hydrothermal and post-annealing process and their polyurethane composite films

Abstract

In this paper, Zn-doped VO2 nanoparticles have been successfully fabricated by a two-step hydrothermal-annealing process, and the thermally induced visible light transmittance enhancement of Zn-doped VO2 has been studied for the first time. It is found that Zn-doped VO2 not only exhibits excellent solar modulation ability (ΔTsol = 15.27%) but also can reduce the phase transition temperature and increase the visible light transmittance after the heat-induced phase transition (ΔTlum=+5.78%). Moreover, with the increase of Zn doping concentration, the phase transition temperature (Tc) and phase transition hysteresis (ΔT) both decrease. It is shown that the Zn-doped VO2-PU films not only have good solar light modulation ability and properties of improving visible light transmission after phase transition, but also have good durability. The research result is of great significance for improving the visible light transmittance after phase transition and realizing the practical application of VO2 in the field of smart windows.