ABSTRACT
The incorporation of biomimetic structures in a vanadium dioxide (VO2) coating is believed to be a promising way to enhance its thermochromic performance because biomimetic structures enable tailoring of optical properties. Films based on VO2 with grid structures are attracting increasing interest due to the great potential for structure-induced thermochromic enhancements, mainly including enhanced transmittance, antireflection, increased effective solar modulation volume, and localized surface plasmon resonance. Combining some advanced functions, such as self-cleaning and energy conservation and generation, into one thermochromic smart window device is a highly attractive scientific undertaking. Meanwhile, for energy conservation, to continue the trend of enhancing thermochromic properties, hybridation and active control have so far offered the best results compared with other conventional approaches. In conclusion, compared to planar VO2 films, gridded structures are an efficient method to promote thermochromic performance, demonstrated through methods such as mesh printing, ionic strength–induced electrodeposition, dual-phase transformation, and nanosphere lithography.
