Encapsulation of CsWO3 nanoparticles with protective coatings to preserve their near-infrared shielding behavior in thermal insulating glass

Details

Supervisors

Hackens, Benoît

Faculty

Ecole polytechnique de Louvain

Degree label

Master [120] : ingénieur civil en chimie et science des matériaux, à finalité spécialisée

Abstract

Due to its importance in mitigating global warming, thermal insulating glass has recently become a great focus of industries. CsWO3 nanoparticles have shown great potential in thermal shielding glass in buildings and automobiles with their high absorbance in Near-Infrared region combined with high transmittance of visible light. However, when annealed, CsWO3 Nanoparticles face color instability and loss in Near Infrared absorption due to oxidation and Cs migration. The aim of this Master Thesis was to encapsulate CsWO3 nanoparticles in a protective coating to protect them against annealing and preserve their Near Infrared absorbance. Encapsulation of nanoparticles with coatings of SiO2 and TiO2 sol gels was tested, through 2 different methods of encapsulation: overlayers and embedment matrixes. The encapsulated nanoparticles were tested at different annealing temperatures and different conclusions were made about the protective potential of TiO2 and SiO2 and their efficiency at protecting the nanoparticles at different annealing temperatures. TiO2 and SiO2 showed potential in protecting the nanoparticles at specific temperatures but not at others. Further research and experimentation are needed to enhance the protection of CsWO3 nanoparticles through encapsulation by such coatings.