Towards Commercializing Vanadium Dioxide Films: Investigation of the\n Impact of Different Interface on the Deterioration Process for Largely\n Extended Service Life

Abstract

Long term stability is the most pressing issue that impedes commercialization\nof Vanadium Dioxide (VO2) based functional films, which show a gradual loss of\nrelative phase transition performance, especially in humid conditions when\nserving as smart windows. Here, we investigated the impact of different\ninterface on the deterioration process of VO2 films and proposed a novel\nencapsulation structure for largely extended service life. Hydrophobic and\nstable hafnium dioxide (HfO2) layers have been incorporated with VO2 films for\nencapsulated surfaces and cross sections. With modified thickness and structure\nof HfO2 layers, the degradation process of VO2 can be effectively suppressed.\nThe proposed films can retain stable phase transition performances under high\nrelative humidity (90%) and temperature (60 Celsius) over 100 days, which is\nequal to about 16 years in the real environment. Improving the stability of VO2\nmaterials is a necessary step towards commercializing production of high\nperformance films for long term use.\n