Optimization of VO2 nanowire polymer composite thermochromic films by optical simulation

Thermochromic films with high efficiency, transparency, and flexibility are highly desirable for energy-efficient smart window films. Vanadium oxide (VO2)-nanoparticle-embedded flexible polymer composite films are the most promising thermochromic films because of the sharp phase transition of insulating to metallic phases of VO2 at 68 degrees C with visible transparency and a large change in transmittance at near-infrared wavelengths before and after the metal-insulator phase transition. This paper describes the simulation of high-efficiency thermochromic polymer composite films embedded with VO2 nanoparticles of various sizes to investigate the optimum VO2 nanowire size and length. Published by AIP Publishing.