Scalable Photochromic Film for Solar Heat and Daylight Management
Weihao Meng (Chinese Academy of Sciences)
Augustinus J.J. Kragt (ClimAd Technology B.V., TU Delft - Architectural Technology)
Yingtao Gao (Chinese Academy of Sciences)
Eleonora Brembilla (TU Delft - Environmental & Climate Design)
Julia S. Van Der Burgt (ClimAd Technology B.V.)
Albert Schenning (Eindhoven University of Technology)
T. Klein (TU Delft - Architectural Technology)
ER van den Ham (TU Delft - Environmental & Climate Design)
Jingxia Wang (Chinese Academy of Sciences)
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Abstract
The adaptive control of sunlight through photochromic smart windows could have a huge impact on the energy efficiency and daylight comfort in buildings. However, the fabrication of inorganic nanoparticle and polymer composite photochromic films with a high contrast ratio and high transparency/low haze remains a challenge. Here, a solution method is presented for the in situ growth of copper-doped tungsten trioxide nanoparticles in polymethyl methacrylate, which allows a low-cost preparation of photochromic films with a high luminous transparency (luminous transmittance Tlum = 91%) and scalability (30 × 350 cm2). High modulation of visible light (ΔTlum = 73%) and solar heat (modulation of solar transmittance ΔTsol = 73%, modulation of solar heat gain coefficient ΔSHGC = 0.5) of the film improves the indoor daylight comfort and energy efficiency. Simulation results show that low-e windows with the photochromic film applied can greatly enhance the energy efficiency and daylight comfort. This photochromic film presents an attractive strategy for achieving more energy-efficient buildings and carbon neutrality to combat global climate change.