VO₂/ATO nanocomposite thin films with enhanced solar modulation and high luminous transmittance for smart windows

Developing an economic, facile strategy to prepare high-efficiency VO₂-based thin films is critical to thermochromic smart windows. It is still challenging to simultaneously achieve high luminous transmittance (T_lum) and large solar modulation (ΔT_sol). In this paper, the composites of VO₂ nanoparticles and antimony-doped tin oxide (ATO) nanoparticles are prepared to significantly boost the overall performances of the films. As compared with pristine VO₂, the T_lum value of the composite films is substantially increased from 30.91% to 84.35% by 170%, while a suitable ΔT_sol value of 11.57% is almost maintained. Furthermore, an optimized overall performance of T_lum (60.14%) and ΔT_sol (20%) is achieved. The excellent optical properties are closely related with the dispersive small particles and widened optical band gap. The results provide an effective strategy for enhanced performances of smart windows.