Layer‐by‐Layer Alignment of Silver Nanowires for Transparent and Flexible Energy‐Saving Windows

Abstract

Abstract The energy consumption in buildings through the thermal radiation of windows has become a big challenge in modern life. The low mid‐infrared emissivity (ε MIR ) and near‐infrared blocking windows with high visible transmittance ( T vis ) are highly required in modern energy‐saving buildings, while most existing low ε MIR windows are severely limited by their complex and high‐cost processing conditions and could not be retrofitted to existing windows. Herein low ε MIR foils based on aligned silver nanowires (AgNWs) fabricated via an economical solution process are reported with good energy‐saving performance. The foils with aligned AgNWs give lower ε MIR and higher T vis compared with randomly oriented AgNWs foils. The low‐cost process, high T vis , low ε MIR, and flexibility to apply on any surface opens a new avenue to cut down energy consumption in existing windows.