Molecules, Vol. 26, Pages 4513: Systematic Exploration of the Synthetic Parameters for the Production of Dynamic VO2(M1)

Molecules, Vol. 26, Pages 4513: Systematic Exploration of the Synthetic Parameters for the Production of Dynamic VO2(M1) Molecules doi: 10.3390/molecules26154513 Authors: Giulia Bragaggia Andrea Cacciatore Elisa Poffe Claudia Capone Federico Zorzi Valerio Causin Silvia Gross Thermochromic dynamic cool materials present a reversible change of their properties wherein by increasing the temperature, the reflectance, conductivity, and transmittance change due to a reversible crystalline phase transition. In particular, vanadium (IV) dioxide shows a reversible phase transition, accompanied by a change in optical properties, from monoclinic VO2(M1) to tetragonal VO2(R). In this paper, we report on a systematic exploration of the parameters for the synthesis of vanadium dioxide VO2(M1) via an easy, sustainable, reproducible, fast, scalable, and low-cost hydrothermal route without hazardous chemicals, followed by an annealing treatment. The metastable phase VO2(B), obtained via a hydrothermal route, was converted into the stable VO2(M1), which shows a metal–insulator transition (MIT) at 68 °C that is useful for different applications, from energy-efficient smart windows to dynamic concrete. Within this scenario, a further functionalization of the oxide nanostructures with tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS), characterized by an extreme alkaline environment, was carried out to ensure compatibility with the concrete matrix. Structural properties of the synthesized va...
Source: Molecules - Category: Chemistry Authors: Tags: Article Source Type: research