A VO2-based multifunctional window with highly improved luminous transmittance

A novel window structure composed of VO2 thermochromic film with TiO2 antireflection (AR) coating was proposed. TiO2 was chosen as the best AR candidatefor reasons that it is an AR material superior to the reported SiO2, and that it is capable to make the window multifunctional with excellent photocatalytic properties. Optical calculation was done for the proposed structure, which predicts a strong enhancement in luminous transmittance (Tlum). A TiO2 (40 nm)/VO2 (50 nm) structure, optimized to a maximum integrated luminous transmittance by calculation, was formed on SiO2 glass by magnetron sputtering. A maximum increase in Tlum by 53% (from 32% to 49%) was experimentally obtained. The proposed window is the most advanced among the similarly reported in being multifunctional with automatic solar/heat control, ultraviolet stopping, and possibly a wide range of photocatalytic functions in addition to being highly luminous transmitting.