The nanoclusters are dispersed in a PVP matrix that is then coated on ITO glass to block NIR and UV rays while letting visible light pass through.
An international collaboration is developing coating materials that could make windows better insulators
A French-Japanese research collaboration has fabricated metal nanocomposite coatings that improve the insulating properties of window glasses. The new coating prevents a significant portion of near-infrared (NIR) and ultraviolet rays (UV) from passing through, while at the same time admitting visible light. The findings were reported in the journal Science and Technology of Advanced Materials.
“Although the fabrication of a commercial products is still a long way ahead, our work demonstrated a significant improvement in UV and NIR blocking properties compared to previous research,” says solid-state chemist Fabien Grasset, research director at the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS).
“Buildings account for a large part of global energy consumption,” explains Grasset, “with a large amount of the annual energy consumption of a standard building going to cooling and/or heating systems to maintain indoor temperatures at comfortable levels.” Scientists are looking for ways to develop window glass coatings that can block the entry of NIR radiation so that buildings, and even cars, can consume less energy to keep it cool inside. However, this needs to be done in a way that still allows visible light to enter. Ideally, harmful UV rays would also be blocked.
To this end, the international French-Japanese research collaboration fabricated and analysed the performance of nanocomposites based on niobium-tantalum cluster compounds containing chloride or bromide ions.
They found that chloride-based nanoclusters provided the best performance in terms of blocking NIR and UV rays and allowing the passage of visible light. NIR and UV blocking by the nanoclusters depended on their concentration, dispersion and oxidation state. By tuning these parameters, the team was able to improve the nanocluster performance.
The nanoclusters were dispersed into a polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) matrix that was then coated onto indium-tin-oxide (ITO) glass. The combination increased the transmittance of visible light while reducing that of NIR and UV rays, relative to previous research. “These are very promising coating materials that block the most troublesome NIR wavelengths,” says Grasset.
“We have a long history of Japanese-French collaboration,” he continues. “We were already convinced that we are stronger working together by mixing our different cultures and ways of thinking. The international LINK project has reinforced this belief. We will continue to do our best to make further progress towards finding solutions for the global warming problem.”
Original Article: Windows gain competitive edge over global warming
More from: French National Centre for Scientific Research | National Institute for Materials Science
The Latest Updates from Bing News
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Nanocomposite coatings for windows
- Replacement Windows
Reactivate now to get the information you were looking for! You will get digital access to reviews and ratings for over 8,500 products and services to help you make better choices for life’s big ...
- Windows Replacement Cost: How Much Is the Average Pricing in 2024?
Windows bring natural light, insulation, and fresh air to your home, making them a huge factor in your overall comfort. As a homeowner, you might be worried that an unexpected window replacement ...
- ‘Exceptional’ dust cloud from Sahara hits Europe
An "exceptional" dust cloud from the Sahara is choking parts of Europe, the continent's climate monitor said on April 8, causing poor air quality and coating windows and cars in grime. Copernicus ...
- Unprecedented Saharan dust cloud hits Europe
(AFP pic) PARIS: An exceptional dust cloud from the Sahara is choking parts of Europe, the continent’s climate monitor said today, causing poor air quality and coating windows and cars in grime.
- 'Exceptional' Sahara Dust Cloud Hits Europe: Monitor
An "exceptional" dust cloud from the Sahara is choking parts of Europe, the continent's climate monitor said on Monday, causing poor air quality and coating windows and cars in grime. Copernicus ...
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Nanocoatings for windows
- The best new browser for Windows
(As always, the best part of Installer is your ideas and tips. What are you into right now? What should everyone else be into right now? Tell me everything: [email protected]. And if you know ...
- The Snapdragon X Elite will be a huge step forward for Windows here's why
Arm processors like the Snapdragon X Elite will allow laptops to be thinner and lighter. Qualcomm's advanced NPU in the Snapdragon X Elite processor puts it ahead in AI features compared to Intel and ...
- Yikes: Windows 10 Sees Uptick as Windows 11 Share Decreases
In April 2024, Windows 10 reached 70% market share for the first time since September 2023, according to Neowin. Windows 11 was at 25.65% last month, which is up from around 23% in September, but ...
- The Browser Company Answers Your Questions About Arc for Windows
In a video posted this morning, The Browser Company answered the most commonly asked questions about its Arc browser for Windows.
- Arc for Windows is a beautiful and unique web browser, on the inside and out, and it's available for download now
The Browser Company has finally released its popular Arc web browser, which first debuted on Mac to critical acclaim, for Windows 11 today. The browser is unique in that it features an unusual ...