Low-E Easy-Clean Glass Coating That Resists Silver Oxidation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Low-E glass suffers from issues such as decreased conductivity, hardness, water contact angle, and increased hemispherical emissivity, along with oxidation problems due to single-layer silver coatings.
Innovation Solution
A method involving RF sputtering of a silicon oxide target with nitrogen gas and DC sputtering of a silver target to co-deposit nitrogen-doped silicon oxide silver (Si, O, N: Ag) on a glass substrate, followed by annealing to form a double-layer structure, enhancing conductivity, hardness, and reducing hemispherical emissivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If single-layer silver coating is used to achieve low emissivity, then hemispherical emissivity is reduced, but oxidation resistance and durability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite coating structure consisting of a silicon oxide base layer and a silver layer. The silicon oxide layer provides oxidation resistance while the silver layer provides low emissivity. This composite structure resolves the contradiction by combining materials with complementary properties - the silicon oxide protects the silver from oxidation while maintaining the silver's thermal radiation blocking capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The silicon oxide layer acts as an intermediary between the silver layer and the external environment (oxygen, moisture). It serves as a protective barrier that prevents direct contact between oxygen and the silver, thereby preventing oxidation while allowing the silver to maintain its low emissivity function. The intermediary layer solves the contradiction by mediating between the protective requirement and the functional requirement.
2Reliability
If multiple dielectric layers are added to protect silver from oxidation, then oxidation resistance improves, but conductivity and hardness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a graded structure where the silicon oxide layer provides protection where needed (at the interface with environment) while the silver layer maintains its inherent properties (conductivity, hardness) in the region where these properties are most valuable (at the functional interface). This localized differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between protection and performance.
3Temperature
If conventional coating methods are used to achieve low emissivity, then thermal insulation improves, but water contact angle decreases making cleaning difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the optical and surface properties of the silicon oxide-silver composite coating. The silicon oxide layer modifies the surface characteristics to increase water contact angle, creating a hydrophobic or superhydrophobic effect that facilitates easy cleaning. Simultaneously, the silver layer maintains the low emissivity for thermal insulation. The surface property modification resolves the contradiction between thermal performance and cleanability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method results in low-emissivity easy-clean glass with improved conductivity, hardness, and water contact angle, while avoiding oxidation, and reduces hemispherical emissivity, offering enhanced thermal and sound insulation.
Implementation Method 1
using RF sputtering of a silicon oxide target while simultaneously introducing nitrogen gas and using DC sputtering of a silver target to co-deposit nitrogen-doped silicon oxide silver (Si, O, N: Ag) on a clear glass substrate
Implementation Method 2
annealing to obtain low-emissivity easy-clean glass
Data Source
AI summary
A method for manufacturing low-emissivity easy-clean glass and the resulting low-emissivity easy-clean glass and low-emissivity easy-clean composite glass. The method involves using RF (Radio Frequency) sputtering of a silicon oxide target while simultaneously introducing nitrogen gas, and simultaneously using DC (Direct Current) sputtering of a silver target to co-deposit nitrogen-doped silicon oxide silver (Si, O, N: Ag) on a clear glass substrate. This low-emissivity easy-clean glass can avoid oxidation issues, improve conductivity, hardness, water contact angle, and reduce hemispherical emissivity.