Challenges and strategies towards smart window practical applications
Résumé
The metal-insulator transition (MIT) property of vanadium dioxide (VO2) appeals to various thermochromic applications including smart windows, IR photodetectors, thermal sensors, and terahertz devices. Nevertheless, there are very few commercialized smart window practical applications to be found. Temperature-dependence of crystalline and band structures is shown by increasing electrical conductivity and decrease intensity transmittance at a phase transition temperature (Tc ~ 68 oC) that leads to peculiar smart optical devices. However, high temperature operation, low luminous transmittance (Tlum), small solar modulation contrast (∆T), and thermodynamically unstable phase in real environments are drawbacks and challenges for practical applications. This chapter presents the thermochromic properties, challenges, and strategies for the future of vanadium dioxide for smart window practical applications.