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Dielectric functions of Cu2ZnSn(SxSe1-x)(4) thin film absorbers with varied x were determined by spectroscopic ellipsometry and ab initio calculations. From the combination of experimental and theoretical studies, the fundamental interband transition energy E-0 (similar to 1-1.5 eV) and the next following transition energy E-1 (similar to 2-3 eV) were identified and found to blue-shift with increasing sulfur anion content, while keeping the energy separation E-1 - E-0 almost constant, similar to 1.4 eV from experiments, and 1 eV from theory. In addition, the average dielectric responses were found to decrease with sulfur anion content from both theoretical and experimental results. The Tauc optical bandgap value E-g determined on samples prepared on Mo and soda lime glass substrate showed a positive linear relationship between x and bandgap E-g. The bandgap bowing factor determined from the theoretical data is 0.09 eV., QC 20170306

Dielectric functions of Cu2ZnSn(SxSe1-x)(4) thin film absorbers with varied x were determined by spectroscopic ellipsometry and ab initio calculations. From the combination of experimental and theoretical studies, the fundamental interband transition energy E-0 (similar to 1-1.5 eV) and the next following transition energy E-1 (similar to 2-3 eV) were identified and found to blue-shift with increasing sulfur anion content, while keeping the energy separation E-1 - E-0 almost constant, similar to 1.4 eV from experiments, and 1 eV from theory. In addition, the average dielectric responses were found to decrease with sulfur anion content from both theoretical and experimental results. The Tauc optical bandgap value E-g determined on samples prepared on Mo and soda lime glass substrate showed a positive linear relationship between x and bandgap E-g. The bandgap bowing factor determined from the theoretical data is 0.09 eV. (C) 2017 Author(s).

Dielectric functions of Cu2ZnSn(SxSe1-x)(4) thin film absorbers with varied x were determined by spectroscopic ellipsometry and ab initio calculations. From the combination of experimental and theoretical studies, the fundamental interband transition energy E-0 (similar to 1-1.5 eV) and the next following transition energy E-1 (similar to 2-3 eV) were identified and found to blue-shift with increasing sulfur anion content, while keeping the energy separation E-1 - E-0 almost constant, similar to 1.4 eV from experiments, and 1 eV from theory. In addition, the average dielectric responses were found to decrease with sulfur anion content from both theoretical and experimental results. The Tauc optical bandgap value E-g determined on samples prepared on Mo and soda lime glass substrate showed a positive linear relationship between x and bandgap E-g. The bandgap bowing factor determined from the theoretical data is 0.09 eV. (C) 2017 Author(s).

Dielectric functions of Cu2ZnSn(SxSe1-x)(4) thin film absorbers with varied x were determined by spectroscopic ellipsometry and ab initio calculations. From the combination of experimental and theoretical studies, the fundamental interband transition energy E-0 (similar to 1-1.5 eV) and the next following transition energy E-1 (similar to 2-3 eV) were identified and found to blue-shift with increasing sulfur anion content, while keeping the energy separation E-1 - E-0 almost constant, similar to 1.4 eV from experiments, and 1 eV from theory. In addition, the average dielectric responses were found to decrease with sulfur anion content from both theoretical and experimental results. The Tauc optical bandgap value E-g determined on samples prepared on Mo and soda lime glass substrate showed a positive linear relationship between x and bandgap E-g. The bandgap bowing factor determined from the theoretical data is 0.09 eV. (C) 2017 Author(s).

Dielectric functions of Cu2ZnSn(SxSe1-x)(4) thin film absorbers with varied x were determined by spectroscopic ellipsometry and ab initio calculations. From the combination of experimental and theoretical studies, the fundamental interband transition energy E-0 (similar to 1-1.5 eV) and the next following transition energy E-1 (similar to 2-3 eV) were identified and found to blue-shift with increasing sulfur anion content, while keeping the energy separation E-1 - E-0 almost constant, similar to 1.4 eV from experiments, and 1 eV from theory. In addition, the average dielectric responses were found to decrease with sulfur anion content from both theoretical and experimental results. The Tauc optical bandgap value E-g determined on samples prepared on Mo and soda lime glass substrate showed a positive linear relationship between x and bandgap E-g. The bandgap bowing factor determined from the theoretical data is 0.09 eV. (C) 2017 Author(s).

Dielectric functions of Cu2ZnSn(SxSe1-x)(4) thin film absorbers with varied x were determined by spectroscopic ellipsometry and ab initio calculations. From the combination of experimental and theoretical studies, the fundamental interband transition energy E-0 (similar to 1-1.5 eV) and the next following transition energy E-1 (similar to 2-3 eV) were identified and found to blue-shift with increasing sulfur anion content, while keeping the energy separation E-1 - E-0 almost constant, similar to 1.4 eV from experiments, and 1 eV from theory. In addition, the average dielectric responses were found to decrease with sulfur anion content from both theoretical and experimental results. The Tauc optical bandgap value E-g determined on samples prepared on Mo and soda lime glass substrate showed a positive linear relationship between x and bandgap E-g. The bandgap bowing factor determined from the theoretical data is 0.09 eV. (C) 2017 Author(s).

Nanocomposites consisting of noble metal nanoparticles in a transparent matrix exhibit plasmonic absorption in the visible wavelength range, and conducting oxide nanoparticles display a localized plasma absorption in the near infrared. The optical properties of nanocomposites are commonly modelled by effective medium theories, which describe the effective dielectric function of the composite using as input the dielectric functions of the constituents and their respective volume fractions. Plasmonic effects can be exploited in the design of energy-efficient windows in order to obtain improved performance. Electrochromic coatings that switch in the near infrared make use of the modulation of the plasma absorption of oxide nanoparticles due to charge density modulation induced by an external voltage. Plasmonic thermochromic switching in the near infrared has the potential to be significantly larger than in the case of a thin film. Very thin noble metal films are an interesting alternative to conducting oxides as transparent contacts to electrochromic devices. However, in this latter case plasmonic effects are to be avoided rather than exploited.

Nanocomposites consisting of noble metal nanoparticles in a transparent matrix exhibit plasmonic absorption in the visible wavelength range, and conducting oxide nanoparticles display a localized plasma absorption in the near infrared. The optical properties of nanocomposites are commonly modelled by effective medium theories, which describe the effective dielectric function of the composite using as input the dielectric functions of the constituents and their respective volume fractions. Plasmonic effects can be exploited in the design of energy-efficient windows in order to obtain improved performance. Electrochromic coatings that switch in the near infrared make use of the modulation of the plasma absorption of oxide nanoparticles due to charge density modulation induced by an external voltage. Plasmonic thermochromic switching in the near infrared has the potential to be significantly larger than in the case of a thin film. Very thin noble metal films are an interesting alternative to conducting oxides as transparent contacts to electrochromic devices. However, in this latter case plasmonic effects are to be avoided rather than exploited.

In this work we establish a device model in SCAPS, incorporating bandgap narrowing, short minority carrier diffusion length and interface recombination. The model is based on a reference device with standard structure; sputtered Mo on soda lime glass, a reactively sputtered and annealed Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) absorber layer, chemical bath deposited CdS and sputtered i-ZnO buffer layers, and front contact formed with sputtered ZnO:Al and an evaporated Ni/Al/Ni grid. The efficiency of the reference device is 6.7%. Model parameter values of the absorber layer are based on the analysis of temperature dependent current–voltage (J–V–T) measurements, capacitance–voltage (C–V) and drive-level capacitance profiling (DLCP) measurements, performed on the reference device, and on the comparison of simulated and measured quantum efficiency (QE) and current–voltage (J–V) performance. Additional parameters are taken from literature. The key elements, electron–hole pair generation and recombination in the absorber layer, are the main focus in this study. Reported values of the absorption coefficient of CZTS vary around one order of magnitude when comparing data from reflectance–transmission (R–T) measurements with ellipsometry measurements, and calculations. Therefore, a modified semi-empirical absorption coefficient, extracted from R–T and QE measurements, with the depletion width from CV and DLCP, is presented and used in this study. The dominating recombination path is evaluated with J–V–T analysis and the zero Kelvin activation energy (EA,0) is extracted from both temperature dependent open circuit voltage (VOC) and from modified Arrhenius plots. In each case,is found to be substantially smaller than the bandgap energy, even when considering bandgap narrowing due to disorder, which is an indication that the

We have determined for the first time the device-relevant optical constants of 500 nm and 800 nm-thick Cu2ZnSnS4 absorbers, grown on bare and Mo-coated soda-lime glass (SLG), using spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE). The composition, structure, phase purity and morphology were characterized by X-ray fluorescence, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy depth profiling, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, scanning-electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. For the SE analysis, carefully determined sample characteristics were utilized to build a multilayer stack optical model, in order to derive the dielectric functions and refractive indices. The SE-derived absorption coefficients from CZTS/SLG samples were compared with those derived from complementary spectrophotometry measurements and found to be in good agreement. The bandgap determined from Tauc plots was E-g=1.57 +/- 0.02 eV. The absorption coefficients just above the bandgap were found to be a few 10(4) cm(-1) and to exceed 10(5) cm(-1) at energies above similar to 2.5 eV, which is much higher than previously found. The sub-bandgap k-value was found to be k similar to 0.05 or less, suggesting that a moderate band tail is present. Separate device characterization performed on identical samples allowed us to assign device efficiencies of, respectively, 2.8% and 5.3% to the 500 nm and 800 nm-thick samples featured in this study.

Nanocomposites consisting of noble metal nanoparticles in a transparent matrix exhibit plasmonic absorption in the visible wavelength range, and conducting oxide nanoparticles display a localized plasma absorption in the near infrared. The optical properties of nanocomposites are commonly modelled by effective medium theories, which describe the effective dielectric function of the composite using as input the dielectric functions of the constituents and their respective volume fractions. Plasmonic effects can be exploited in the design of energy-efficient windows in order to obtain improved performance. Electrochromic coatings that switch in the near infrared make use of the modulation of the plasma absorption of oxide nanoparticles due to charge density modulation induced by an external voltage. Plasmonic thermochromic switching in the near infrared has the potential to be significantly larger than in the case of a thin film. Very thin noble metal films are an interesting alternative to conducting oxides as transparent contacts to electrochromic devices. However, in this latter case plasmonic effects are to be avoided rather than exploited.

Nanocomposites consisting of noble metal nanoparticles in a transparent matrix exhibit plasmonic absorption in the visible wavelength range, and conducting oxide nanoparticles display a localized plasma absorption in the near infrared. The optical properties of nanocomposites are commonly modelled by effective medium theories, which describe the effective dielectric function of the composite using as input the dielectric functions of the constituents and their respective volume fractions. Plasmonic effects can be exploited in the design of energy-efficient windows in order to obtain improved performance. Electrochromic coatings that switch in the near infrared make use of the modulation of the plasma absorption of oxide nanoparticles due to charge density modulation induced by an external voltage. Plasmonic thermochromic switching in the near infrared has the potential to be significantly larger than in the case of a thin film. Very thin noble metal films are an interesting alternative to conducting oxides as transparent contacts to electrochromic devices. However, in this latter case plasmonic effects are to be avoided rather than exploited.

Nanocomposites consisting of noble metal nanoparticles in a transparent matrix exhibit plasmonic absorption in the visible wavelength range, and conducting oxide nanoparticles display a localized plasma absorption in the near infrared. The optical properties of nanocomposites are commonly modelled by effective medium theories, which describe the effective dielectric function of the composite using as input the dielectric functions of the constituents and their respective volume fractions. Plasmonic effects can be exploited in the design of energy-efficient windows in order to obtain improved performance. Electrochromic coatings that switch in the near infrared make use of the modulation of the plasma absorption of oxide nanoparticles due to charge density modulation induced by an external voltage. Plasmonic thermochromic switching in the near infrared has the potential to be significantly larger than in the case of a thin film. Very thin noble metal films are an interesting alternative to conducting oxides as transparent contacts to electrochromic devices. However, in this latter case plasmonic effects are to be avoided rather than exploited.

Thermochromic thin films of VO2 were produced by reactive DC magnetron sputtering and were characterized by atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, spectrophotometry, and resistance measurements. Depositions took place onto substrates of glass with and without layers of electrically conducting ITO (i.e., In2O3: Sn) and nonconducting SnO2. The substrate conditions were of large importance; thus, VO2 could be prepared on ITO within a significantly wider process window of oxygen partial pressure than for the other substrates and could yield highly granular deposits. VO2 films on ITO typically showed some lattice compression. Our results are valuable for the preparation and implementation of thermochromic glazings, which are of importance for energy efficient buildings.

Thermochromic VO2 films were prepared by reactive DC magnetron sputtering onto heated sapphire substrates and were used to make 100-nm-thick samples that were 10 lm wide and 100 lm long. The resistance of these samples changed by a factor similar to 2000 in the 50T-c. These exponents can be reconciled with the Pennetta-Trefan-Reggiani theory [Pennetta et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 85, 5238 (2000)] for lattice percolation with switching disorder ensuing from random defect generation and healing in steady state. Our work hence highlights the dynamic features of the percolating semiconducting and metallic-like regions around T-c in thermochromic VO2 films. (C) 2015 AIP Publishing LLC.

In this study the influence of absorber layer thickness on the trends of the four current-voltage (J-V) parameters for our CZTS solar cells is studied with simulations and compared with empirical data. In the case of dominating interface recombination we find that open-circuit voltage and fill-factor are largely unaffected of thickness variations 0.5 – 2.0 μm, whereas short-circuit current, and thereby efficiency, saturates (98 % of max) at >1.1 μm absorber thickness, in agreement with measurements. In the case of suppressed interface recombination all four J-V parameters exhibit strong thickness dependence at <0.5 μm due to back contact recombination.

In this study the influence of absorber layer thickness on the trends of the four current-voltage (J-V) parameters for our CZTS solar cells is studied with simulations and compared with empirical data. In the case of dominating interface recombination we find that open-circuit voltage and fill-factor are largely unaffected of thickness variations 0.5 – 2.0 μm, whereas short-circuit current, and thereby efficiency, saturates (98 % of max) at >1.1 μm absorber thickness, in agreement with measurements. In the case of suppressed interface recombination all four J-V parameters exhibit strong thickness dependence at <0.5 μm due to back contact recombination.

In this study the influence of absorber layer thickness on the trends of the four current-voltage (J-V) parameters for our CZTS solar cells is studied with simulations and compared with empirical data. In the case of dominating interface recombination we find that open-circuit voltage and fill-factor are largely unaffected of thickness variations 0.5 – 2.0 μm, whereas short-circuit current, and thereby efficiency, saturates (98 % of max) at >1.1 μm absorber thickness, in agreement with measurements. In the case of suppressed interface recombination all four J-V parameters exhibit strong thickness dependence at <0.5 μm due to back contact recombination.

An explorative study was performed on sputter-deposited thermochromic (TC) VO2 films exposed to heat treatment under dry and humid conditions. The ambient conditions were harsh and 80-nm-thick VO2 films were rapidly converted to non-TC V2O5. It was found that a 30-nm-thick sputter-deposited Al oxide top coating provided good protection and delayed the oxidation for more than one day upon heating in dry air at 300 degrees C and that protection occurred for several days at 95% relative humidity and 60 degrees C. The thickness of the Al oxide was important and, expectedly, increased thickness yielded enhanced protection. Our results are important for TC fenestration as well as for other technical applications., EU GRINDOOR

Undoped and Mg-doped thermochromic VO2 films with atom ratios z equivalent to Mg/(Mg + V) of 0 <= z < 0.21 were deposited by reactive DC magnetron sputtering onto heated glass and carbon substrates. Elemental compositions were found by Rutherford backscattering spectrometry. Optical constants were determined from transmittance and reflectance measurements and were used for modeling the optical properties of thin films and dilute nanoparticle composite layers below and above the critical temperature for thermochromic switching between a low-temperature infrared transparent state and a high-temperature infrared reflecting or absorbing state. Mg-doped films showed superior luminous transmittance T-lum and solar transmittance modulation Delta T-sol compared to undoped VO2 films, and both of these parameters could be further enhanced by anti-reflection. VO2-containing nanocomposites had much larger values of T-lum and Delta T-sol than VO2-based films. Mg-doping was found to erode the properties of the nanocomposites. Approximate performance limits are given on T-lum and Delta T-sol for thermochromic VO2 films, with and without Mg doping and antireflection coating, and also for VO2-containing dilute nanocomposites., EU GRINDOOR

Spectral transmittance and reflectance in the 300 to 2500 nm solar-optical wavelength range were calculated for nanoparticles of titanium dioxide and vanadium dioxide with radii between 5 and 100 nm embedded in transparent dielectric media. Both of the materials are of large importance in green nanotechnologies: thus TiO2 is a photocatalyst that can be applied as a porous film or a nanoparticle composite on indoor or outdoor surfaces for environmental remediation, and VO2 is a thermochromic material with applications to energy-efficient fenestration. The optical properties, including scattering, of the nanoparticle composites were computed from the Maxwell–Garnett effective-medium theory as well as from a four-flux radiative transfer model. Predictions from these theories approach one another in the limit of small particles and in the absence of optical interference. Effects of light scattering can be modeled only by the four-flux theory, though. We found that nanoparticle radii should be less than ~20 nm in order to avoid pronounced light scattering.

Windows incorporating electrochromic (EC) and thermochromic (TC) materials are of great interest for today's and tomorrow's buildings and can create energy efficiency jointly with indoor comfort. This paper summarizes several recent studies and shows that nanoparticles of transparent conducting oxides-specifically In2O3: Sn (ITO) and thermochromic VO2-can lead to desirable functionalities. We consider three examples: (i) the use of ITO nanoparticles in conventional polaronic EC devices in order to suppress near-infrared solar transmittance, (ii) performance limits for plasmonic EC devices based on ITO nanoparticles, and (iii) ITO-VO2-based nanocomposites combining low thermal emittance with TC properties. We also consider Mg doping of VO2 to enhance the luminous transmittance and Al2O3/VO2 double layers with improved durability. Both experimental and theoretical results are reported. (C) 2013 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved., EU GRINDOOR

Thin films of V2O5 were prepared by sputter deposition onto transparent and electrically conducting substrates and were found to be X-ray amorphous. Their electrochemical density of states was determined by chronopotentiometry and displayed a pronounced low-energy peak followed by an almost featureless contribution at higher energies. These results were compared with density functional theory calculations for amorphous V2O5. Significant similarities were found between measured data and computations; specifically, the experimental low-energy peak corresponds to a split-off part of the conduction band apparent in the computations. Furthermore, the calculations approximately reproduce the experimental band gap observed in optical measurements., EU GRINDOOR

Thin films of V2O5 were prepared by sputter deposition onto transparent and electrically conducting substrates and were found to be X-ray amorphous. Their electrochemical density of states was determined by chronopotentiometry and displayed a pronounced low-energy peak followed by an almost featureless contribution at higher energies. These results were compared with density functional theory calculations for amorphous V2O5. Significant similarities were found between measured data and computations; specifically, the experimental low-energy peak corresponds to a split-off part of the conduction band apparent in the computations. Furthermore, the calculations approximately reproduce the experimental band gap observed in optical measurements. (C) 2014 AIP Publishing LLC., QC 20140704

An explorative study was performed on sputter-deposited thermochromic (TC) VO2 films exposed to heat treatment under dry and humid conditions. The ambient conditions were harsh and 80-nm-thick VO2 films were rapidly converted to non-TC V2O5. It was found that a 30-nm-thick sputter-deposited Al oxide top coating provided good protection and delayed the oxidation for more than one day upon heating in dry air at 300 degrees C and that protection occurred for several days at 95% relative humidity and 60 degrees C. The thickness of the Al oxide was important and, expectedly, increased thickness yielded enhanced protection. Our results are important for TC fenestration as well as for other technical applications., EU GRINDOOR

An explorative study was performed on sputter-deposited thermochromic (TC) VO2 films exposed to heat treatment under dry and humid conditions. The ambient conditions were harsh and 80-nm-thick VO2 films were rapidly converted to non-TC V2O5. It was found that a 30-nm-thick sputter-deposited Al oxide top coating provided good protection and delayed the oxidation for more than one day upon heating in dry air at 300 degrees C and that protection occurred for several days at 95% relative humidity and 60 degrees C. The thickness of the Al oxide was important and, expectedly, increased thickness yielded enhanced protection. Our results are important for TC fenestration as well as for other technical applications., EU GRINDOOR

Vanadium dioxide, VO2, is a widely studied thermochromic material with potential applications in energy efficient window technology. It undergoes a first-order metal-to-insulator transition, accompanied by a crystal structure transformation from monoclinic to tetragonal rutile, at a critical temperature of 68 oC. Below this temperature, VO2 is semiconducting and infrared transmitting whereas it is metallic and infrared reflecting above the transition temperature. However, in order to achieve significant thermochromic switching, the luminous transmittance of thin films will be less than 0.5 . Here we report on recent research to improve the luminous transmittance as well as the transmittance change at the transition temperature. We systematically evaluate the effect of antireflection coatings, doping with Mg and the performance of coatings comprising thermochromic nanoparticles in a transparent matrix. The last option is shown to give the best performance and holds great promise for practical applications.

Undoped and Mg-doped thermochromic VO2 films with atom ratios z equivalent to Mg/(Mg + V) of 0 <= z < 0.21 were deposited by reactive DC magnetron sputtering onto heated glass and carbon substrates. Elemental compositions were found by Rutherford backscattering spectrometry. Optical constants were determined from transmittance and reflectance measurements and were used for modeling the optical properties of thin films and dilute nanoparticle composite layers below and above the critical temperature for thermochromic switching between a low-temperature infrared transparent state and a high-temperature infrared reflecting or absorbing state. Mg-doped films showed superior luminous transmittance T-lum and solar transmittance modulation Delta T-sol compared to undoped VO2 films, and both of these parameters could be further enhanced by anti-reflection. VO2-containing nanocomposites had much larger values of T-lum and Delta T-sol than VO2-based films. Mg-doping was found to erode the properties of the nanocomposites. Approximate performance limits are given on T-lum and Delta T-sol for thermochromic VO2 films, with and without Mg doping and antireflection coating, and also for VO2-containing dilute nanocomposites., EU GRINDOOR

Spectral transmittance and reflectance in the 300 to 2500 nm solar-optical wavelength range were calculated for nanoparticles of titanium dioxide and vanadium dioxide with radii between 5 and 100 nm embedded in transparent dielectric media. Both of the materials are of large importance in green nanotechnologies: thus TiO2 is a photocatalyst that can be applied as a porous film or a nanoparticle composite on indoor or outdoor surfaces for environmental remediation, and VO2 is a thermochromic material with applications to energy-efficient fenestration. The optical properties, including scattering, of the nanoparticle composites were computed from the Maxwell–Garnett effective-medium theory as well as from a four-flux radiative transfer model. Predictions from these theories approach one another in the limit of small particles and in the absence of optical interference. Effects of light scattering can be modeled only by the four-flux theory, though. We found that nanoparticle radii should be less than ~20 nm in order to avoid pronounced light scattering.

Windows incorporating electrochromic (EC) and thermochromic (TC) materials are of great interest for today's and tomorrow's buildings and can create energy efficiency jointly with indoor comfort. This paper summarizes several recent studies and shows that nanoparticles of transparent conducting oxides-specifically In2O3: Sn (ITO) and thermochromic VO2-can lead to desirable functionalities. We consider three examples: (i) the use of ITO nanoparticles in conventional polaronic EC devices in order to suppress near-infrared solar transmittance, (ii) performance limits for plasmonic EC devices based on ITO nanoparticles, and (iii) ITO-VO2-based nanocomposites combining low thermal emittance with TC properties. We also consider Mg doping of VO2 to enhance the luminous transmittance and Al2O3/VO2 double layers with improved durability. Both experimental and theoretical results are reported. (C) 2013 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved., EU GRINDOOR

Thin films of V2O5 were prepared by sputter deposition onto transparent and electrically conducting substrates and were found to be X-ray amorphous. Their electrochemical density of states was determined by chronopotentiometry and displayed a pronounced low-energy peak followed by an almost featureless contribution at higher energies. These results were compared with density functional theory calculations for amorphous V2O5. Significant similarities were found between measured data and computations; specifically, the experimental low-energy peak corresponds to a split-off part of the conduction band apparent in the computations. Furthermore, the calculations approximately reproduce the experimental band gap observed in optical measurements., EU GRINDOOR

Undoped and Mg-doped thermochromic VO2 films with atom ratios z equivalent to Mg/(Mg + V) of 0 <= z < 0.21 were deposited by reactive DC magnetron sputtering onto heated glass and carbon substrates. Elemental compositions were found by Rutherford backscattering spectrometry. Optical constants were determined from transmittance and reflectance measurements and were used for modeling the optical properties of thin films and dilute nanoparticle composite layers below and above the critical temperature for thermochromic switching between a low-temperature infrared transparent state and a high-temperature infrared reflecting or absorbing state. Mg-doped films showed superior luminous transmittance T-lum and solar transmittance modulation Delta T-sol compared to undoped VO2 films, and both of these parameters could be further enhanced by anti-reflection. VO2-containing nanocomposites had much larger values of T-lum and Delta T-sol than VO2-based films. Mg-doping was found to erode the properties of the nanocomposites. Approximate performance limits are given on T-lum and Delta T-sol for thermochromic VO2 films, with and without Mg doping and antireflection coating, and also for VO2-containing dilute nanocomposites., EU GRINDOOR

Spectral transmittance and reflectance in the 300 to 2500 nm solar-optical wavelength range were calculated for nanoparticles of titanium dioxide and vanadium dioxide with radii between 5 and 100 nm embedded in transparent dielectric media. Both of the materials are of large importance in green nanotechnologies: thus TiO2 is a photocatalyst that can be applied as a porous film or a nanoparticle composite on indoor or outdoor surfaces for environmental remediation, and VO2 is a thermochromic material with applications to energy-efficient fenestration. The optical properties, including scattering, of the nanoparticle composites were computed from the Maxwell–Garnett effective-medium theory as well as from a four-flux radiative transfer model. Predictions from these theories approach one another in the limit of small particles and in the absence of optical interference. Effects of light scattering can be modeled only by the four-flux theory, though. We found that nanoparticle radii should be less than ~20 nm in order to avoid pronounced light scattering.

Windows incorporating electrochromic (EC) and thermochromic (TC) materials are of great interest for today's and tomorrow's buildings and can create energy efficiency jointly with indoor comfort. This paper summarizes several recent studies and shows that nanoparticles of transparent conducting oxides-specifically In2O3: Sn (ITO) and thermochromic VO2-can lead to desirable functionalities. We consider three examples: (i) the use of ITO nanoparticles in conventional polaronic EC devices in order to suppress near-infrared solar transmittance, (ii) performance limits for plasmonic EC devices based on ITO nanoparticles, and (iii) ITO-VO2-based nanocomposites combining low thermal emittance with TC properties. We also consider Mg doping of VO2 to enhance the luminous transmittance and Al2O3/VO2 double layers with improved durability. Both experimental and theoretical results are reported. (C) 2013 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved., EU GRINDOOR

Thin films of V2O5 were prepared by sputter deposition onto transparent and electrically conducting substrates and were found to be X-ray amorphous. Their electrochemical density of states was determined by chronopotentiometry and displayed a pronounced low-energy peak followed by an almost featureless contribution at higher energies. These results were compared with density functional theory calculations for amorphous V2O5. Significant similarities were found between measured data and computations; specifically, the experimental low-energy peak corresponds to a split-off part of the conduction band apparent in the computations. Furthermore, the calculations approximately reproduce the experimental band gap observed in optical measurements., EU GRINDOOR

Vanadium dioxide, VO2, is a widely studied thermochromic material with potential applications in energy efficient window technology. It undergoes a first-order metal-to-insulator transition, accompanied by a crystal structure transformation from monoclinic to tetragonal rutile, at a critical temperature of 68 oC. Below this temperature, VO2 is semiconducting and infrared transmitting whereas it is metallic and infrared reflecting above the transition temperature. However, in order to achieve significant thermochromic switching, the luminous transmittance of thin films will be less than 0.5 . Here we report on recent research to improve the luminous transmittance as well as the transmittance change at the transition temperature. We systematically evaluate the effect of antireflection coatings, doping with Mg and the performance of coatings comprising thermochromic nanoparticles in a transparent matrix. The last option is shown to give the best performance and holds great promise for practical applications.

An explorative study was performed on sputter-deposited thermochromic (TC) VO2 films exposed to heat treatment under dry and humid conditions. The ambient conditions were harsh and 80-nm-thick VO2 films were rapidly converted to non-TC V2O5. It was found that a 30-nm-thick sputter-deposited Al oxide top coating provided good protection and delayed the oxidation for more than one day upon heating in dry air at 300 degrees C and that protection occurred for several days at 95% relative humidity and 60 degrees C. The thickness of the Al oxide was important and, expectedly, increased thickness yielded enhanced protection. Our results are important for TC fenestration as well as for other technical applications., EU GRINDOOR

Undoped and Mg-doped thermochromic VO2 films with atom ratios z equivalent to Mg/(Mg + V) of 0 <= z < 0.21 were deposited by reactive DC magnetron sputtering onto heated glass and carbon substrates. Elemental compositions were found by Rutherford backscattering spectrometry. Optical constants were determined from transmittance and reflectance measurements and were used for modeling the optical properties of thin films and dilute nanoparticle composite layers below and above the critical temperature for thermochromic switching between a low-temperature infrared transparent state and a high-temperature infrared reflecting or absorbing state. Mg-doped films showed superior luminous transmittance T-lum and solar transmittance modulation Delta T-sol compared to undoped VO2 films, and both of these parameters could be further enhanced by anti-reflection. VO2-containing nanocomposites had much larger values of T-lum and Delta T-sol than VO2-based films. Mg-doping was found to erode the properties of the nanocomposites. Approximate performance limits are given on T-lum and Delta T-sol for thermochromic VO2 films, with and without Mg doping and antireflection coating, and also for VO2-containing dilute nanocomposites., EU GRINDOOR

Spectral transmittance and reflectance in the 300 to 2500 nm solar-optical wavelength range were calculated for nanoparticles of titanium dioxide and vanadium dioxide with radii between 5 and 100 nm embedded in transparent dielectric media. Both of the materials are of large importance in green nanotechnologies: thus TiO2 is a photocatalyst that can be applied as a porous film or a nanoparticle composite on indoor or outdoor surfaces for environmental remediation, and VO2 is a thermochromic material with applications to energy-efficient fenestration. The optical properties, including scattering, of the nanoparticle composites were computed from the Maxwell–Garnett effective-medium theory as well as from a four-flux radiative transfer model. Predictions from these theories approach one another in the limit of small particles and in the absence of optical interference. Effects of light scattering can be modeled only by the four-flux theory, though. We found that nanoparticle radii should be less than ~20 nm in order to avoid pronounced light scattering.

Thin films of V2O5 were prepared by sputter deposition onto transparent and electrically conducting substrates and were found to be X-ray amorphous. Their electrochemical density of states was determined by chronopotentiometry and displayed a pronounced low-energy peak followed by an almost featureless contribution at higher energies. These results were compared with density functional theory calculations for amorphous V2O5. Significant similarities were found between measured data and computations; specifically, the experimental low-energy peak corresponds to a split-off part of the conduction band apparent in the computations. Furthermore, the calculations approximately reproduce the experimental band gap observed in optical measurements., EU GRINDOOR

Windows incorporating electrochromic (EC) and thermochromic (TC) materials are of great interest for today's and tomorrow's buildings and can create energy efficiency jointly with indoor comfort. This paper summarizes several recent studies and shows that nanoparticles of transparent conducting oxides-specifically In2O3: Sn (ITO) and thermochromic VO2-can lead to desirable functionalities. We consider three examples: (i) the use of ITO nanoparticles in conventional polaronic EC devices in order to suppress near-infrared solar transmittance, (ii) performance limits for plasmonic EC devices based on ITO nanoparticles, and (iii) ITO-VO2-based nanocomposites combining low thermal emittance with TC properties. We also consider Mg doping of VO2 to enhance the luminous transmittance and Al2O3/VO2 double layers with improved durability. Both experimental and theoretical results are reported. (C) 2013 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved., EU GRINDOOR

Vanadium dioxide, VO2, is a widely studied thermochromic material with potential applications in energy efficient window technology. It undergoes a first-order metal-to-insulator transition, accompanied by a crystal structure transformation from monoclinic to tetragonal rutile, at a critical temperature of 68 oC. Below this temperature, VO2 is semiconducting and infrared transmitting whereas it is metallic and infrared reflecting above the transition temperature. However, in order to achieve significant thermochromic switching, the luminous transmittance of thin films will be less than 0.5 . Here we report on recent research to improve the luminous transmittance as well as the transmittance change at the transition temperature. We systematically evaluate the effect of antireflection coatings, doping with Mg and the performance of coatings comprising thermochromic nanoparticles in a transparent matrix. The last option is shown to give the best performance and holds great promise for practical applications.

Vanadium dioxide, VO2, is a widely studied thermochromic material with potential applications in energy efficient window technology. It undergoes a first-order metal-to-insulator transition, accompanied by a crystal structure transformation from monoclinic to tetragonal rutile, at a critical temperature of 68 oC. Below this temperature, VO2 is semiconducting and infrared transmitting whereas it is metallic and infrared reflecting above the transition temperature. However, in order to achieve significant thermochromic switching, the luminous transmittance of thin films will be less than 0.5 . Here we report on recent research to improve the luminous transmittance as well as the transmittance change at the transition temperature. We systematically evaluate the effect of antireflection coatings, doping with Mg and the performance of coatings comprising thermochromic nanoparticles in a transparent matrix. The last option is shown to give the best performance and holds great promise for practical applications.

An explorative study was performed on sputter-deposited thermochromic (TC) VO2 films exposed to heat treatment under dry and humid conditions. The ambient conditions were harsh and 80-nm-thick VO2 films were rapidly converted to non-TC V2O5. It was found that a 30-nm-thick sputter-deposited Al oxide top coating provided good protection and delayed the oxidation for more than one day upon heating in dry air at 300 degrees C and that protection occurred for several days at 95% relative humidity and 60 degrees C. The thickness of the Al oxide was important and, expectedly, increased thickness yielded enhanced protection. Our results are important for TC fenestration as well as for other technical applications., EU GRINDOOR

Vanadium dioxide, VO2, is a widely studied thermochromic material with potential applications in energy efficient window technology. It undergoes a first-order metal-to-insulator transition, accompanied by a crystal structure transformation from monoclinic to tetragonal rutile, at a critical temperature of 68 oC. Below this temperature, VO2 is semiconducting and infrared transmitting whereas it is metallic and infrared reflecting above the transition temperature. However, in order to achieve significant thermochromic switching, the luminous transmittance of thin films will be less than 0.5 . Here we report on recent research to improve the luminous transmittance as well as the transmittance change at the transition temperature. We systematically evaluate the effect of antireflection coatings, doping with Mg and the performance of coatings comprising thermochromic nanoparticles in a transparent matrix. The last option is shown to give the best performance and holds great promise for practical applications.

Spectral transmittance and reflectance in the 300 to 2500 nm solar-optical wavelength range were calculated for nanoparticles of titanium dioxide and vanadium dioxide with radii between 5 and 100 nm embedded in transparent dielectric media. Both of the materials are of large importance in green nanotechnologies: thus TiO2 is a photocatalyst that can be applied as a porous film or a nanoparticle composite on indoor or outdoor surfaces for environmental remediation, and VO2 is a thermochromic material with applications to energy-efficient fenestration. The optical properties, including scattering, of the nanoparticle composites were computed from the Maxwell–Garnett effective-medium theory as well as from a four-flux radiative transfer model. Predictions from these theories approach one another in the limit of small particles and in the absence of optical interference. Effects of light scattering can be modeled only by the four-flux theory, though. We found that nanoparticle radii should be less than ~20 nm in order to avoid pronounced light scattering.

Windows incorporating electrochromic (EC) and thermochromic (TC) materials are of great interest for today's and tomorrow's buildings and can create energy efficiency jointly with indoor comfort. This paper summarizes several recent studies and shows that nanoparticles of transparent conducting oxides-specifically In2O3: Sn (ITO) and thermochromic VO2-can lead to desirable functionalities. We consider three examples: (i) the use of ITO nanoparticles in conventional polaronic EC devices in order to suppress near-infrared solar transmittance, (ii) performance limits for plasmonic EC devices based on ITO nanoparticles, and (iii) ITO-VO2-based nanocomposites combining low thermal emittance with TC properties. We also consider Mg doping of VO2 to enhance the luminous transmittance and Al2O3/VO2 double layers with improved durability. Both experimental and theoretical results are reported. (C) 2013 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved., EU GRINDOOR

Thin films of V2O5 were prepared by sputter deposition onto transparent and electrically conducting substrates and were found to be X-ray amorphous. Their electrochemical density of states was determined by chronopotentiometry and displayed a pronounced low-energy peak followed by an almost featureless contribution at higher energies. These results were compared with density functional theory calculations for amorphous V2O5. Significant similarities were found between measured data and computations; specifically, the experimental low-energy peak corresponds to a split-off part of the conduction band apparent in the computations. Furthermore, the calculations approximately reproduce the experimental band gap observed in optical measurements., EU GRINDOOR

Undoped and Mg-doped thermochromic VO2 films with atom ratios z equivalent to Mg/(Mg + V) of 0 <= z < 0.21 were deposited by reactive DC magnetron sputtering onto heated glass and carbon substrates. Elemental compositions were found by Rutherford backscattering spectrometry. Optical constants were determined from transmittance and reflectance measurements and were used for modeling the optical properties of thin films and dilute nanoparticle composite layers below and above the critical temperature for thermochromic switching between a low-temperature infrared transparent state and a high-temperature infrared reflecting or absorbing state. Mg-doped films showed superior luminous transmittance T-lum and solar transmittance modulation Delta T-sol compared to undoped VO2 films, and both of these parameters could be further enhanced by anti-reflection. VO2-containing nanocomposites had much larger values of T-lum and Delta T-sol than VO2-based films. Mg-doping was found to erode the properties of the nanocomposites. Approximate performance limits are given on T-lum and Delta T-sol for thermochromic VO2 films, with and without Mg doping and antireflection coating, and also for VO2-containing dilute nanocomposites., EU GRINDOOR