Tungsten Bronze Sol-Gel Coating for UV/NIR Blocking Transparency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coatings fail to effectively block UV and NIR radiation while maintaining transparency in the visible range, and incorporating tungsten bronze nanocrystals into surface coatings degrades their localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) intensity and selectivity.
Innovation Solution
A coating is formed by dispersing doped tungsten bronze nanocrystals individually and homogeneously within a silica-based sol-gel matrix, using surface-functionalized ligands to maintain LSPR intensity and selectivity, allowing efficient blocking of UV and NIR radiation while retaining transparency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional metallic layers or low-emissivity coatings are used to block NIR radiation, then NIR blocking performance is improved, but the coating complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters by using semiconductor nanocrystals with adjustable bandgap energies instead of conventional metals. By controlling particle size, composition, and doping levels, the coating achieves NIR blocking with simplified single-layer structure and reduced complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system combining semiconductor nanocrystals with a matrix material (such as sol-gel or polymer). This composite approach enables NIR blocking functionality while maintaining structural simplicity and reducing overall coating complexity
2Object-affected harmful factors
If complex stacking structures of several functional layers are used to block NIR, then NIR blocking performance is improved, but manufacturing cost increases at least 10 times compared to uncoated glass
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions (NIR blocking, UV blocking, and visible transparency) into a single functional layer containing semiconductor nanocrystals. This consolidation eliminates the need for multiple separate layers, dramatically reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining performance
Solution Approach 2:
By adjusting nanocrystal parameters (size, composition, doping), the patent achieves broadband radiation control in a single layer, replacing expensive multi-layer stacks and enabling cost-effective manufacturing
3Object-affected harmful factors
If doped tungsten bronze nanocrystals are incorporated into surface coatings, then NIR blocking performance is improved, but LSPR intensity and selectivity are degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating specific microenvironments for nanocrystals within the matrix (such as sol-gel networks or polymer matrices). This local structural control protects LSPR properties while enabling NIR blocking functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a matrix material as an intermediary between the nanocrystals and the external environment. This intermediary protects the nanocrystal LSPR properties from degradation while allowing the coating to achieve NIR blocking
4Object-affected harmful factors
If coatings block UV and NIR radiation, then radiation protection is improved, but transparency in the visible range may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in nanocrystal properties (particularly bandgap energy controlled by size and composition) to achieve wavelength-selective absorption. By tuning these parameters, the coating blocks UV and NIR while maintaining high visible transparency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials combining nanocrystals with transparent matrix materials. This composite structure enables selective radiation blocking across different wavelength ranges while preserving visible light transmission
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 coating achieves high radiation extinction in the UV and NIR ranges with over 70% transparency in the visible range, using conventional deposition techniques, and exhibits good mechanical properties and durability.
Implementation Method 1
Their free carrier density may be adjusted from 10^18 to 10^22 cm^-3 by modifying their doping level, directly during synthesis, or by subsequent treatments (post-treatments). This tool, added to known parameters for metals such as shape, size or surrounding media, and to the numerous composition possibilities, allows extremely precise control of their LSPR position, from visible to mid-infrared (MIR)
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a sol formulation which can be used to form a solar-control coating, in particular a coating that blocks UV and NIR radiation, comprising at least: one or more silica-based sol-gel matrix precursors, and doped tungsten bronze nanocrystals which are dispersed uniformly and individually in a protic solvent medium. The invention also relates to a method for forming a solar-control coating at the surface of a support using such a sol formulation, and also to a structure comprising at least one support, preferably a transparent support, having such a solar-control coating on at least one face thereof.