VO2 /TiN Plasmonic Thermochromic Smart Coatings for Room-Temperature Applications.

Vanadium dioxide/titanium nitride (VO2 /TiN) smart coatings are prepared by hybridizing thermochromic VO2 with plasmonic TiN nanoparticles. The VO2 /TiN coatings can control infrared (IR) radiation dynamically in accordance with the ambient temperature and illumination intensity. It blocks IR light under strong illumination at 28 °C but is IR transparent under weak irradiation conditions or at a low temperature of 20 °C. The VO2 /TiN coatings exhibit a good integral visible transmittance of up to 51% and excellent IR switching efficiency of 48% at 2000 nm. These unique advantages make VO2 /TiN promising as smart energy-saving windows.