Broadband-modulated Photochromic Smart Windows Based on Oxygen-containing Gadolinium Hydride Films

doi:10.15541/jim20230539

Abstract

Abstract:

Photochromic windows are considered an effective and energy-efficient smart window due to their simple structure, passive light modulation, and zero-energy input. However, the research on photochromic smart windows has rarely addressed the mid-infrared (MIR) bands, which greatly limits energy-saving efficiency. Here, we report that rare-earth oxygen-containing hydrides (ReO_xH_y) films grown on ITO substrates have the ability to be broadband modulated. The developed photochromic smart window is capable of automatically adjusting emissivity by sensing light intensity while maintaining visible and near-infrared (NIR) modulation (ΔT_sol = 35.1%, ΔT_lum = 37%, and Δε_{8-13 μm} = 0.12). We also achieved one-step preparation of GdO_xH_y with improved stability by optimising the preparation atmosphere. The photochromic mechanism was analyzed by comprehensive characterization. In conclusion, this passive and synergistic modulation method across the visible-NIR-MIR is expected to greatly advance the field of photochromic smart windows.

Key words: photochromic, rare-earth oxygen-containing hydride, smart window, dynamic radiative cooling

CLC Number:

TQ174

LI Zhongshao, LI Ming, CAO Xun. Broadband-modulated Photochromic Smart Windows Based on Oxygen-containing Gadolinium Hydride Films[J]. Journal of Inorganic Materials, 2024, 39(4): 441-448.

Figures/Tables 6

Fig. 1 Microstructural characterization of ITO/GdOxHy bilayer film (a) XRD patterns of ITO/GdOxHy before (blue) and after (red) illumination; (b) Schematic crystal structure of GdOxHy; (c-f) SEM images of cross section (c, e) and surface (d, f) of thin film samples with the insets in (d, f) showing the corresponding AFM images

Fig. 2 XPS spectra of ITO/GdOxHy before and after the illumination (a) C1s; (b) O1s; (c) Gd4d

Fig. 3 Effect of sputtering atmosphere on film properties (a) XRD patterns of films prepared under different sputtering atmospheres; (b) Value at the point of maximum change in transmittance for films grown under different sputtering atmospheres; (c) Bleaching time of films under different sputtering atmospheres; (d, e) Transmittance spectra of films before and after stability test

Fig. 4 Effect of temperature on the bleaching rate (a) Energy-barrier relationship between the "bleached state (1)" and "coloring state (2)" at room temperature; (b) Energy-barrier relationship between "bleached state (1)" and "coloring state (2)" when heated; (c) Bleaching rates of films at different temperatures; (d) Variation of transmission spectra of films with time and placed in a temperature field of 70 ℃; (e) Relationship between optical contrast, band gap (Tauc-plot method), and annealing temperature; (f) Transmittance spectra of GdOxHy films at different annealing temperatures; Colorful figures are available on website

Fig. 5 Transimittance and emissivity spectra of the ITO/GdOxHy bilayer film before and after light illumination

Fig. 6 Demonstration of film versatility (a) Variation of emission temperature of ITO (left), ITO/GdOxHy (middle), and glass (right) under UV irradiation; (b) Optical lithography of the “SICCAS” pattern on the surface of the sample by UV light projection

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